In a Perfect World
by Kodaline
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Oct 8, 2013
Metascore
47

Mixed or average reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 9
  3. Negative: 3 out of 9
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  1. PopMatters
    Oct 8, 2013
    20
    The album is just full of songs that don’t hit and seemingly don’t even try.
  2. The Guardian
    Jun 20, 2013
    60
    All told, there's a lot of bodice-ripping emotion to take in, and it's this, rather than the lack of original ideas, that makes In a Perfect World hard to take in large doses.
  3. Consequence
    Jun 20, 2013
    70
    With time, greater individuality will come. Right now, this is an accomplished and emotive statement of intent, cinematic in scope and able to raise goose bumps at will.
  5. The Observer (UK)
    Jun 17, 2013
    40
    For all their stadium uplift and notionally anthemic choruses, they never deliver a hook or melodic sucker punch that really floors you.
  6. The Independent (UK)
    Jun 14, 2013
    60
    Kodaline offer a musical barometer of bankable current rock trends, but display scant originality on this debut album.
  7. Q Magazine
    Jun 12, 2013
    20
    Entirely meritless. [Apr 2013, p.104]
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  8. Clash Music
    Jun 12, 2013
    80
    Kodaline illustrate all the ingredients for greatness, with many a swooning chorus to invoke a thousand festival lighters held aloft.
  9. musicOMH.com
    Jun 12, 2013
    70
    As real big-bucks contenders, Kodaline aren’t quite there yet. But as a debut, In A Perfect World manages to find its feet with ease.
  10. DIY Magazine
    Jun 12, 2013
    30
    This is boy band material dressed up in an indie band’s clothes.

Awards & Rankings

93
#93 Most Discussed Album of 2013

User Reviews

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User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 58 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 58
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 58
  3. Negative: 15 out of 58
  1. WadeVS
    Oct 13, 2013
    3
    Whilst nearly every track is listenable and inoffensive, maybe that is the problem. All is mellow, bland and radio friendly here. Hardly freshWhilst nearly every track is listenable and inoffensive, maybe that is the problem. All is mellow, bland and radio friendly here. Hardly fresh or unique. Blah.… Full Review »
  2. jp_fal
    Oct 15, 2013
    2
    Utterly bland middle of the road music suitable only for background music in cafes, elevators, shopping malls, etc. No real creativity foundUtterly bland middle of the road music suitable only for background music in cafes, elevators, shopping malls, etc. No real creativity found here, only the results of studying extra hard on 'how to write insipid indie music 101' lessons.
    Every song feels painstakingly crafted; not to convey any real feeling but to manipulate and coerce the listener into feeling something heart-wrenching. But it is so painfully obvious that you are being duped because Kodaline are unable to collectively gather a shred of real emotion with which to back up their songs. They must have High Hopes indeed if they think anyone will remember them by the time album two arrives and the music world has gotten over this infection of emo-indie whingers; see Passenger, 1975, etc.    … Full Review »
  3. Ricko
    Jul 2, 2014
    7
    Kodaline seem to have sifted through every band that have been successful playing soft rock over the last 10 years and taken bits from each ofKodaline seem to have sifted through every band that have been successful playing soft rock over the last 10 years and taken bits from each of them to make "In a Perfect World". The likes of The Script and Two Door Cinema Club comes to mind but the bands big influences seems to be Coldplay and later Snow Patrol. Kodaline have tunes to boot and the slick production makes the album highly listenable although the album lacks any real spirit or identity. The level of songwriting is very good if completely unoriginal and while singer Steven Garrigan has a nice voice, he doesn't ever mix the delivery up and lets things go stale as the album progresses. For every good thing about this album there is a corresponding negative. If your aware of any music released prior to 2010 you might be bored, but if your a young person starting to get into music you'll find plenty to enjoy.… Full Review »
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