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  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Heretic Pride Image
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 19 Ratings

  • Summary: The Mountain Goats' latest album was produced by Scott Solter and John Vanderslice.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 29
  2. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. It all adds up to The Mountain Goats’ most musically sophisticated endeavor to date. In fact, the music is finally beginning to hold its own with the lyrics.
  2. This is not just music that I believe, in the sense that it is credible, but this is music to believe in.
  3. Complex and worth repeated listens? Hell yeah.
  4. It’s the crafting of timeless, crest-fallen melodies infused with gripping characterisations that elevates Darnielle into the upper-crust of musical virtuosity. And that’s exactly where Heretic Pride leaves him: perched atop the pile of today’s try-hardy singer/songwriters.
  5. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    While the cellos of 'San Bernardino' are sublime, many of Heretic's opaque lyrics are buried under prettified blandness. [29 Feb 2008, p.61]
  6. The music often verges on innocuous, but it serves its purpose as a backdrop for Darnielle’s steadily churning imagination.
  7. Mojo
    40
    The polished arrangements of Heretic Pride do Darnielle's songwriting no favours. [Mar 2008, p.106]

See all 29 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. MichaelE.
    Mar 4, 2008
    10
    This is a fantastic album. I listen to it again and again. It´s interesting what happens when the Mountain Goats do an album that does This is a fantastic album. I listen to it again and again. It´s interesting what happens when the Mountain Goats do an album that does not fit into their "image". A lot of critics can´t respond to it. And, most important: though it´s a kind of fun album, it has a broad emotional palette as well. And deeply touching songs. Breathtaking! Collapse
  2. BobJ.
    Feb 22, 2008
    10
    I have listened to this album about 20x in the last week. I can't remember the last time I did this. I've since gone back and I have listened to this album about 20x in the last week. I can't remember the last time I did this. I've since gone back and listened to as much as possible from their back catalog. Incredible stuff. Expand
  3. LuigiL.
    Feb 24, 2008
    9
    As usual, beautiful and fascinating.
  4. JackB.
    Feb 28, 2008
    9
    break away from the personal and back toward classic outward storytelling.
  5. ChrisC
    Feb 23, 2008
    8
    What are these reviewers whining about? One critic actually complaining that you can't hear the tape hissing anymore? And the songs What are these reviewers whining about? One critic actually complaining that you can't hear the tape hissing anymore? And the songs don't sound any more 'same' than seventy five percent of bands out there. Or then there's the critics who seem to think because Sunset Tree was so personal, Darnielle isn't allowed to write an album that isn't. Quit whining critics. This is a really fun album. Expand
  6. SteveO.
    Apr 11, 2008
    8
    Cool voice but it CAN get a little annoying... good songwriters though... its a good album overall.