Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 18
  2. Negative: 0 out of 18
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  1. Feb 16, 2016
    80
    Human Ceremony is an instinctive record, with the band more than happy to act on an impulse. The enthusiasm of the band is infectious, always remaining grounded but delightfully exploring their own infinite limitations.
  2. 80
    Its debut album, Human Ceremony (Fat Possum), moves along briskly and even impatiently with circular picking patterns, transparent strummed chords and or fuzz-toned riffs behind Julia Cumming’s airy voice.
  3. Feb 5, 2016
    80
    Human Ceremony is an impressive debut from a band who seem positioned to make many more excellent albums if they can continue to do such a good job of mining the past for gold and revamping it in their own fashion like they do so well here.
  4. Q Magazine
    Feb 4, 2016
    80
    By turns thrilling and blissful. [Mar 2016, p.115]
  5. Feb 4, 2016
    80
    This is not a lazily retrogressive record however: its melodies burst with the fidgety energy of youth and ambition.
  6. Uncut
    Jan 29, 2016
    80
    More intriguing are the songs that tap into Throwing Muses' vein of chiming offbeat indie-pop, familiar tales of teenage yearning elevated into something more glowing and magical. [Mar 2016, p.80]
  7. Jan 29, 2016
    80
    Human Ceremony is a very impressive record for a band that's only been putting out music for about a year.
  8. 80
    The phrase ‘modern psychedelia’ often feels like an oxymoron, but on Human Ceremony Sunflower Bean make perfect sense of it, rewardingly broadening their musical horizons in the process and as with the Nuggets compilations it’s as diverse as you like yet retains a marvellous cohesion at the same time.
  9. Feb 8, 2016
    75
    The talent is there in spades, and the well of influences is a deep and bountiful one. There’s nowhere to grow but up for Sunflower Bean.
  10. Apr 1, 2016
    70
    Sunflower Bean have enough homegrown ability between them to draw up a series of immersing and original compositions.
  11. Jan 29, 2016
    70
    The haziness of the record is expertly planted. [Jan/Feb 2016, p.59]
  12. Jan 29, 2016
    69
    The band’s diverse influences sound best when Kivlen's voice serves as a darker echo of Cumming’s angelic optimism, especially in a call and response. But the band's hodgepodge approach doesn't always work.
  13. Mar 17, 2016
    67
    Despite the messiness of searching for their sound, they balance modern psych and glam rock with obvious pride.
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 14
  2. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. Feb 5, 2016
    6
    Listening to Human Ceremony as a whole-album experience is not so rewarding, but listening to one piece at a time can reveal some pleasurableListening to Human Ceremony as a whole-album experience is not so rewarding, but listening to one piece at a time can reveal some pleasurable surprises. Sunflower Bean's indie-pop-meets-psychedelia style of making music is not a novelty, but their ability to make hard rock infusions throughout the album is promising. Let's wait for a better work in their next project.

    Best tracks: I Was Home, Creation Myth, Space Exploration Disaster
    Full Review »
  2. Oct 17, 2016
    8
    Great album Enjoy!
  3. Oct 13, 2016
    7
    I feel that this album good, especially for a first full-length album, although there are some clunky parts. The backup vocals provided byI feel that this album good, especially for a first full-length album, although there are some clunky parts. The backup vocals provided by Nick Kivlen can provide a nice call and response effect, although some parts feel awkward and forced. This band has a relatively steady sound with a psychedelic feel throughout the album but there is some hard rock focused songs scattered throughout the LP. Overall, a good album and I'm excited to see what they do next. Full Review »