I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose
by Bombay Bicycle Club
  • Record Label: Island
  • Release Date: Jul 6, 2009
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    If I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose is the band's Everest, not only do they conquer it with unassuming boyish romance, but they've also created the most poignant anthology of what it means to be young and restless in the city since fellow Londoners Bloc Party's "Silent Alarm"--though they're a lot less frosty than Okereke et al.
  2. Uncut
    80
    Their supple, smouldering songs take you back to an innocent, pre-Britpop indie era while retaining the thrust of contempories like Bloc Party. [Aug 2009, p.87]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Billboard.com
    79
    London rock act Bombay Bicycle Club hasn't been playing together long, but the foursome boasts an impressive sound on debut album I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose (released last July in the United Kingdom).
  5. Dot Music
    70
    Although Bombay Bicycle Club can't quite hold a torch to the all-conquering returning Maccabees, they're an armful short of effortless anthems for that, but they prove themselves worthy of operating in their shadow.
  6. Observer Music Monthly
    60
    North London outfit from the same school (literally) as Cajun Dance Party, earning high marks for their winsome indie tunes.
  7. The Guardian
    60
    Granted, there's nothing new going on, but their passion fills in the innovation gaps.
  8. PopMatters
    60
    While I Had the Blues is a serviceable debut that doesn't really disappoint but rarely shines, it does suggest that Bombay Bicycle Club have a promising future.
  9. Drowned In Sound
    40
    This is duvet music, offering vague comfort but impossible to feel any excitement for.
  10. Q Magazine
    40
    Jack Steadman's shaky voice does scant justice to a dozen songs that, in more adept hands, might have not been squashed at birth. [Aug 2009, p.103]
    All this publication's reviews
  11. Mojo
    40
    There hasn't been quite enough time yet for them to construct much of a unique sonic indentity. [Aug 2009, p.94]
    All this publication's reviews

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 35 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 35
  3. Negative: 4 out of 35
  1. Paul_Mokeski
    Jan 15, 2019
    10
    One of my all time favorite albums. A blast to listen to from beginning to end
  2. AdhStreets
    Jun 18, 2013
    10
    Although through an initial listen this album can seem slow to ease into its potential, but once you begin to recognize the songs and listenAlthough through an initial listen this album can seem slow to ease into its potential, but once you begin to recognize the songs and listen closely to the words, you will find yourself emotionally invested in this subtly brilliant album.… Full Review »
  3. Ricko
    Oct 9, 2014
    7
    This is a reasonably strong indie pop/rock debut - its got nice guitar work, nice vocals, good dynamics on the songs, is well recorded andThis is a reasonably strong indie pop/rock debut - its got nice guitar work, nice vocals, good dynamics on the songs, is well recorded and slickly produced and all of this helps bring the raw material up a notch. The songs are only averagely good (as we see with the stripped down follow up "Flaws") but its the shine and the layers put on the songs that make them a success. Opener "Emergency Contraception Blues" is the albums most interesting track and also the highlight of the record. "Evening/Morning" is another nice track. Other than that there are plenty of decent tracks but not many that I come back to repeatedly. There is obviously talent present within the group but the fruit of their labours vary in quality depending on the bands level of focus.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »