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Girl at the End of the World
by
Girl at the End of the World Image
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

  • Summary: The 14th full-length studio release for the British rock band was produced by Max Dingel.
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Girl at the End of the World
Overtaking; SUV approaching We're on a blind curve There's nowhere to swerve My mind goes still As still as he is racing I whisper a prayer To... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Q Magazine
    Feb 26, 2016
    80
    A characteristically warm and good-natured record, but it's also striking how adventurous and relevant they sound. [Apr 2016, p.108]
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  2. musicOMH.com
    Mar 15, 2016
    70
    There are a couple of fillers on the album, but Girl At The End Of The World is a strong, distinctive addition to the band’s work.
  3. AllMusic
    Mar 18, 2016
    70
    Between this record and its predecessor, their creativity seems to have entered a fertile new phase.
  4. The Skinny
    Feb 26, 2016
    60
    Girl at the End of the World is, on one level, more of the same: bulging arrangements; hefty half-hooks; Tim Booth's screwy commentary connecting somewhere to the left of immediately comprehensible. But it's also intelligent, accomplished and likeable.
  5. Record Collector
    Mar 9, 2016
    60
    One forgives most of Booth’s excesses and there are plenty on the oddball chanson tracks Alvin and Waking. It’s an anything-goes approach.
  6. Drowned In Sound
    Mar 18, 2016
    60
    If you do have another [James record], the chances are it’s stored away somewhere you don’t think about very often. The chances are, too, that The Girl at the End of the World, likeably well-intentioned as it may be, will end up in the same place.
  7. Clash Music
    Mar 17, 2016
    60
    Commendably still opting for spontaneity after all these years, the lads have whittled down some dance-tinged jams into workable songs and the result is an LP that, while unfocused, still has plenty of drive and energy.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. DeanChorley
    Mar 18, 2016
    8
    Brilliant, James try and succeed in staying relevant. The singles "To My Surprise" and "Nothing But Love" are amazing, with nothing but loveBrilliant, James try and succeed in staying relevant. The singles "To My Surprise" and "Nothing But Love" are amazing, with nothing but love surely to be a crowd favourite at gigs. The obvious hidden gem is catapult, a song which could be one of James' best of all time, not just recent years. Overall this is an album which flows well, with all of the songs fitting and no real let downs, however there are a few stand-out songs which make you realise that the rest isn't too far above average. A typical James album with Tim's vocals standing out over any instrument again and definitely worth a purchase, especially if you're a fan of James… Expand
  2. pcossf
    Mar 22, 2016
    7
    James fans have been longing the band's return-to-form ever since the 'Night/Morning' mini-albums venture came to fruition in 2010. Sure, 'LaJames fans have been longing the band's return-to-form ever since the 'Night/Morning' mini-albums venture came to fruition in 2010. Sure, 'La Petite Mort' was a good effort, showcasing the soft and mellow sound the British rock-pop group has been identified with, while attempting a few new things. However, the album did not transcend beyond a couple of songs that still linger on. Now, 'Girl at the End of the World' tries to reignite anew the band and propel it into a different direction, with more than a handful of songs striving to show the novelties. The verdict? A well-intentioned album that –yet again– falls short and does not culminate James newly adopted perspective. Yes, there are songs that certainly achieve it–'Alvin', with its 'Plastic Bertrand'-esque groove, and 'Surfer's Song', with its electropop vibe, not to mention the two lead singles. But there are as well pieces that feel flat and dull in comparison; too steady to ultimately seduce the listener, 'Dear John' being perhaps the weakest link. Ultimately, 'Girl at the End of the World' is a record that some people may enjoy (Tim Booth holds still his powerful vocals, which is worthy of listening), whereas others may not even mind. James is exploring fertile new grounds that, once it gets a handle onto its novel formula, may lead it one more time to great things.… Expand
  4. germm
    Mar 23, 2016
    5
    As a lifelong James fan from the United States, I was anticipating this album. I was very underwhelmed through my first few listens. I wasn'tAs a lifelong James fan from the United States, I was anticipating this album. I was very underwhelmed through my first few listens. I wasn't a fan of La Petite Mort - it seemed rushed and lacked any creative song writing. All albums previous to La Petite Mort were brilliant .

    Girl at the End of the World brought back a few good James memories, but it's not complete - many songs are not worth listening more than once...and I hate to admit it. So better than La Petite Mort, but far off from all albums of the past is how I would describe the latest from James.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

53
#53 Most Shared Album of 2016

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