Gulag Orkestar
by Beirut
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 58 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 53 out of 58
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 58
  3. Negative: 3 out of 58

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  1. Cat
    Sep 25, 2006
    3
    Very disappointing. The songs are all a muddle of homogeneous instrumentation, and it's very difficult to discern what he's saying. I like Neutral Milk Hotel, but I don't want all the songs to sound like "The Fool." This just didn't mesh with my tastes at all.

Awards & Rankings

71
#71 Best Album of 2006
48
#48 Most Shared Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Almost Cool
    88
    An outstanding debut album, and easily one of my favorite releases of the year so far.
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  2. cokemachineglow
    78
    So, yes: this is cuddly, warm and intimate, just like all your favorite blogs have said.
    Read full review
  3. Dusted Magazine
    90
    Beirut’s brilliant debut album is full of grandeur and intimacy, with accordions, ukuleles and brass instruments complementing contemporary notions like drum machines and digestible song structures while simultaneously channeling the ancient appeal of Balkan folk music.
    Read full review
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