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Head First
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Head First Image
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 45 Ratings

  • Summary: The latest studio album for Alison Goldfrapp and producer Will Gregory finds the duo moving away from the more ambient sound of 2008's "Seventh Tree."

Top Track

Rocket
Starting something Thought could be fun Started something Couldn't go on Danger, heartache I always knew There's no winner In this game you... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Mojo
    80
    Remarkably, the bold, full-on cheese works, because this is an album of classic pop. [Apr 2010, p.93]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Slant Magazine
    80
    As Will Gregory's superimposed sonic backgrounds flit by like the green-screen projections of some fickle, seemingly opportunist sci-fi magician, singer and namesake Alison Goldfrapp's voice--ethereal, otherworldly, but always human--remains a constant variable, the cord that connects all of Goldfrapp's disparate, but equally captivating, incarnations.
  3. Alternative Press
    80
    Goldfrapp’s skill at adopting and fully embodying different styles is what makes them distinctive, not necessarily one signature sound. If the album seems somewhat slight, it’s purposefully so: Head First is a love letter to the frothy, fleeting, but very vital joys of pop music.
  4. Pitchfork
    66
    There's plenty of highly stylized fun to be had here. Just don't expect to remember many of the details when it's all over.
  5. Paste Magazine
    62
    As both a concept and an insular set of songs, it works. But for an act that’s always found its footing in the future, it’s puzzling that the duo find their present rooted so firmly in the past.
  6. The Guardian
    60
    There are instances when the songwriting isn't that exciting, when the choruses don't ascend quite as stratospherically as they're supposed to, and you're left listening to what is, in essence, an MOR pop album.
  7. PopMatters
    40
    It is difficult, even after repeated listenings to find something that breaks out of the formula. The only truly embarrassing moment on the album is the title track.

See all 22 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Tubie
    Nov 3, 2010
    10
    An amazing album, I love and have played some of the songs in this album way too much. I usually don't like pop sounding albums but GoldfrappAn amazing album, I love and have played some of the songs in this album way too much. I usually don't like pop sounding albums but Goldfrapp manages to make their sounds so original and well crafted I just can't help but to love them.… Expand
  2. uptonk
    Apr 12, 2010
    10
    This year's guilty, guilty pleasure. Love every dirty, synthetic gesture.
  4. gagaforever
    Sep 13, 2010
    10
    Goldfrapp's 5th album is definitely amazing. From the head rocking "Rocket" to the soft, melodic instrumental "Voicething" , Goldfrapp onceGoldfrapp's 5th album is definitely amazing. From the head rocking "Rocket" to the soft, melodic instrumental "Voicething" , Goldfrapp once again releases an album that is not only worth buying, but worth keeping and listening to over and over again!… Expand
  5. JenS.
    Mar 26, 2010
    9
    Fun, slick album.
  6. JeanM
    Mar 31, 2010
    9
    to be honest, this album didn't live up to my own ridiculously high expectations, but still, it's a pop masterpiece.
  7. owenrw89
    Dec 18, 2016
    8
    Goldfrapp didn't make a synthpop album because everybody else was doing so, they did it to show them how it's done.
    It may lack the power of    Goldfrapp didn't make a synthpop album because everybody else was doing so, they did it to show them how it's done.
    It may lack the power of 'Supernature' and the beauty of 'Seventh Tree', but it doesn't lack in fun. It's a slickly produced retro-feeling record. It'll impress the older generation for it's nostalgia, and captivate the younger.
    A fine effort indeed.    … Collapse
  8. Belmsher
    Aug 10, 2011
    5
    While notoriously trying to return to a commercial era, Goldfrapp took a wrong step with Head First. Besides the hooks of their singlesWhile notoriously trying to return to a commercial era, Goldfrapp took a wrong step with Head First. Besides the hooks of their singles "Rocket", "Believer" and "Alive", many other songs look like fillers in a glossy production and the lyrics are way too bland and unoriginal. Not that pure electropop might not be appreciated in some of the tracks but in a whole it works as much as a beautiful castle made of loose lego pieces.… Expand

See all 14 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

68
#68 Most Discussed Album of 2010

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