Ganging Up On The Sun
by Guster
  • Record Label: Reprise
  • Release Date: Jun 20, 2006
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 40 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 40
  3. Negative: 4 out of 40

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. adric
    Oct 7, 2006
    9
    Have to say I really enjoy this one. Can't believe pop can still be this good!
  2. lennym
    Jun 28, 2006
    10
    long time guster fan, glad to see them growing and maturing, not being complacent with their music. This is a well-rounded album that demonstrates a variety of influences- Beach Boys, Beatles, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, etc. they're all there in some way. great stuff
  3. CraigP
    Jun 28, 2006
    9
    Another gem from the east coast lads that finds them moving forward while retaining the charm of the last album. It will hopefully find it's way onto radio playlists.
  4. GregH
    Jun 28, 2006
    6
    Decent pop tunes, but nothing even near earth shattering. Pretty tame. I again register my protest at the indiscriminate use of '10s' in these home made reviews. If 10 means that this is amongst the best records of all times, then you've got to be kidding!? Temper your enthusiasm! Very few cds are worthy of 10s or 1s.
  5. mbaxter
    Jun 29, 2006
    9
    Another awesome Guster album with songs that are impossible to get out of your head. Ganging Up on the Sun will definitely be the soundtrack to my summer 2006.
  6. PatK
    Jul 1, 2006
    7
    Its not that i don't like this cd but compared to the other guster efforts this is my least favorite... while keep it together already pointed the band in a new direction from their prior records it at least provided some cool new tunes... I think its safe to say thta guster will never reach the greatness of lost and gone forever or parachutes again... ps i really miss the bongos
  7. PaulineW
    Jul 1, 2006
    9
    Just heard Guster here in the UK. Fantastic band, love em!!!!
  8. jonnyr
    Jul 12, 2006
    8
    Guster fans should be happy. Solid effort. These songs seem to have a more mature and grounded sound to them. Munch on Satellite and Dear Valentine, very satisfying!!!
  9. DCflack
    Jul 31, 2006
    10
    Best pop album of the year, hands down.
  10. SPB
    Jul 5, 2006
    7
    It's solid, with Hang On, Empire State, Lightning Rod and The Captain stealing the show. Not sure if I really dig tunes like C'Mon and The New Underground. They just seem off-balance and lacking in that traditional Guster catchiness. But, that said, they are far from bad, and instead serve as decent background to the more powerful tracks.
  11. KateC
    Mar 19, 2007
    9
    I LOVE this CD!!! I think it's am-a-za-zing!!!!!!!!!!!
  12. ChrisH
    Apr 23, 2007
    9
    Real tight album with a real diversity within the album itself. Great songwriting, great use of varied instrumentation, and just easy to listen to.
  13. JohnV
    Jul 19, 2009
    8
    Great CD after a few listens. Follows a natural maturation of the band.
  14. daveg
    Oct 13, 2006
    10
    Strong from top to bottom. Their most-realized work. Smart, tuneful and passionate.
  15. MattD.
    Jun 27, 2006
    10
    It's a bit more polished than the wonderful Keep It Together, but without doing any selling out. Hopefully, their new sound will get them more exposure. The music is still intricate in detail and charming.
  16. markw
    Jun 27, 2006
    10
    great cd. the songs that disappoint on first listen absolutely thrill after several listens. this is a band to cherish at their creative peak. as good, if not better, than any of their previous work.
  17. JonD
    Jun 28, 2006
    10
    Definitely the best record the band has made.
  18. HomieBB
    Jun 29, 2006
    3
    i liek the other guster albums but not this one
  19. Henrico
    Jul 16, 2006
    8
    So nice! I like the melancholic songs, the melodies, the voices...
  20. AnonOmous
    Jul 19, 2006
    9
    guster continues to impress
  21. MarkA
    Feb 12, 2007
    10
    Simply amazing. Another great album.
  22. MarkS
    May 16, 2007
    9
    I haven't been able to keep this one off of the top of my stack of CD's almost a year later. For those of you only listening to MP3's at 128 m, do yourself a favor and get this on CD and play it on a good stereo or headphones. The production is incredible. Brilliant songwriting. My favorite of their albums so far.
  23. GregA
    Oct 12, 2006
    9
    This CD is pretty sweet but Lost And Gone Forever is still the best.
  24. BenK
    Oct 17, 2006
    7
    A record that seems to follow their progression away from the cutesy, bongo-driven sound of yesteryear. Ganging doesn't really grab you like anything off Lost and Gone Forever, but rather gives you soundscapes and soft pop melodies to sink into (or do homework to, whatever your pleasure). Good, original pop isn't always easy, but Guster makes it appear so. Also, I agree with A record that seems to follow their progression away from the cutesy, bongo-driven sound of yesteryear. Ganging doesn't really grab you like anything off Lost and Gone Forever, but rather gives you soundscapes and soft pop melodies to sink into (or do homework to, whatever your pleasure). Good, original pop isn't always easy, but Guster makes it appear so. Also, I agree with "Greg H." Save the 10s for the handful of records that have changed your life. Even as a long-time Guster fan, it's hard to imagine Ganging as that influential a record...… Expand
  25. NickP
    Jun 27, 2006
    8
    Certainly not my most favorite of their albums, but none the less, it is wonderful. While only a few of the songs are similar to their previous albums, the rest seem too resemble whatever it was that inspired the greatness of "Two Points for Honesty." Listen to it a few times before you say it isn't Guster.
  26. bradyr
    Jun 27, 2006
    10
    Best one yet!

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. AllMusic
    80
    Ganging Up on the Sun is the work of a band who matters.
    Read full review
  2. Billboard
    70
    Guster's loudest and most ambitious effort to date.
    Read full review
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Both expansive and dreamy. [23 Jun 2006, p.69]
See all critic reviews »