Gang Of Losers
by The Dears
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23

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  1. ewanm
    Oct 10, 2006
    8
    Impassioned, lyrical, and wonderfully melodic, the Dears have cast off those Smiths/ Blur comparisons to make a fine second album. Ignore the daft comments of the BBC collective review because this record has at least five outstanding tracks - a pretty good ratio by any reckoning.
  2. FranG
    Nov 20, 2006
    7
    There is something in the sound quality, it sounds as if it were produced on one track....I think that they were going for an effect there - but, comes off in a bit of a fuzz...
  3. LJHooker
    Oct 3, 2006
    10
    I like listening to this album on Friday nights with my mates over a cold beer. It really gives us a sense of purpose and meaning in life, which would otherwise be dull, colourless and boring. Before I bought this album, we were contemplating a mass suicide; we had bought the apple juice and the rat poison and were about to drink it when we heard this on our local indie rock radio I like listening to this album on Friday nights with my mates over a cold beer. It really gives us a sense of purpose and meaning in life, which would otherwise be dull, colourless and boring. Before I bought this album, we were contemplating a mass suicide; we had bought the apple juice and the rat poison and were about to drink it when we heard this on our local indie rock radio station. Thank you The Dears.… Expand
  4. Rennie
    Oct 3, 2006
    10
    album of the year! Why do critics feel they need to downgrade this album? Is it because of how Lightburn gets interviewed? Is it personal, i dont know... what i do know is that this is an absolute gem of an album i havent felt like this about an album for years...... very few albums make you want to play them at any chance you get, this one does.
  5. LawrenceM
    Oct 4, 2006
    8
    I think The Dears have really reigned it inb for this album. It's a lot less bloated than "No Cities Left" and whilst it may not quite reach the heights of the best moments on that LP, it doesn't reach the lows either. It's tight, muscular, melodic and souful and will definately be one of my top albums come the years end
  6. YannickW
    Jun 21, 2007
    9
    a ultra melodic record, smooth yet crunchy at times with beautiful vocals and rich sounds. different from their previous release but still fully fullfilling. a great record by a great band
  7. matta
    Oct 12, 2006
    9
    This is such a good album, definitely a step above No Cities Left and in my top twenty of the year so far. Some of the negative reviews are just lazy, and the Pitchfork one is especially maddening because it is pretty obvious that the writer is just someone at Pitchfork's girlfriend or sister (come on, she compares Lightburn's voice to Ben Folds). There are several stand-out This is such a good album, definitely a step above No Cities Left and in my top twenty of the year so far. Some of the negative reviews are just lazy, and the Pitchfork one is especially maddening because it is pretty obvious that the writer is just someone at Pitchfork's girlfriend or sister (come on, she compares Lightburn's voice to Ben Folds). There are several stand-out tracks, especially Ticket To Immortality, Hate Then Love, and You And I Are A Gang Of Losers. Sure, it's been done before, but when it sounds this good, who cares?… Expand
  8. ChrisM
    Dec 23, 2006
    10
    A full, satisfying listen. Haven't gotten so deep into an LP in quite a long time. The negative reviews leave me a little confused - mainly because the substantive claims these reviewers make don't seem to match up at all.
  9. BlakeL
    Aug 11, 2007
    10
    Great, great album.
  10. Cat
    Aug 11, 2007
    10
    Truly emotional and powerful stuff from this talented band. This was the best album of 06.
  11. OttoZ
    Nov 29, 2006
    9
    A great album. Spare yet lush, smart yet compulsive. Lightburn's vocal style is truly impressive. This is an album (and now a band) that sounds like nothing you've heard before.

Awards & Rankings

87
#87 Best Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. NOW Magazine
    60
    The Dears' biggest coup with Gang Of Losers, though, is Lightburn's newfound ability to express his own sturm und drang through varied delivery rather than just a bloodcurdling caterwaul.
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  2. BBC collective
    50
    Shorn of the orchestral lushness that distinguished their previous effort, The Dears now have little to recommend them.
    Read full review
  3. Dot Music
    80
    The Dears stamp enough of their own personality to make this one of the best and most vital alternative US albums of 2006.
    Read full review
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