Iradelphic
by Clark
  • Record Label: Warp
  • Release Date: Apr 3, 2012
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
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  1. Beats Per Minute
    Apr 23, 2012
    82
    Iradelphic is the sound of an artist who already had a trademark sound coming into his own while still breaking out of his crackly IDM shell.
  2. The Quietus
    Apr 13, 2012
    80
    Iradelphic, which has evolved out of Clark's live shows, marks a change and may be a little surprising to longstanding fans of the man – it's less ethereal, more compact and cohesive than the electronic experiments of Clarence Park.
  3. Clash Music
    Apr 2, 2012
    80
    This is an album self-assured in its odd-ball-ness, yet confident enough to step out into territories typically less habitual to it's maker.
  5. musicOMH.com
    Apr 2, 2012
    80
    Iradelphic is certainly Clark's most accessible record and it is arguably his best.
  6. Consequence
    Apr 6, 2012
    70
    Iradelphic is a deceptively ambitious album, and while its revelations might get a bit lost, it could be one of the most interesting releases this year.
  7. PopMatters
    Apr 6, 2012
    70
    An album of solemn splendor, as exquisite as it is emotionally direct, grounded in jazz rhythms and an acoustic guitar.
  8. Exclaim
    Apr 5, 2012
    70
    Iradelphic is great stream-of-consciousness art.
  9. BBC Music
    Apr 2, 2012
    70
    Some Clark fans will be disappointed with Iradelphic, but many others will see the promise in this little treasure.
  10. XLR8r
    Apr 2, 2012
    70
    For those on the outside of that process, fans who are frantically trying to connect the missing links of Iradelphic's lineage with its beloved forefathers, more apt descriptors might be "unexpected," "unfamiliar," and "unfulfilling."
  11. The Wire
    Apr 18, 2012
    60
    Iradelphic often feels lost in a borrowed soundworld. [Apr 2012, p.68]
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  12. Q Magazine
    Apr 13, 2012
    60
    Ultimately, Iradelphic never really amounts to more than the sum of its parts. [May 2012, p.94]
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  13. Uncut
    Apr 4, 2012
    60
    Some of the beats do feel a little dated, and sometimes veer toward the rigidity of trip hop. [May 2012, p.69]
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  14. New Musical Express (NME)
    Apr 2, 2012
    60
    Although it's smart, it also feels safe compared with the thrilling records Clark has made before.
  15. Pitchfork
    Apr 5, 2012
    58
    Despite its overall hazy, sun-lit-kaleidoscope feel, it's just too sonically scattershot to truly take in and enjoy as a body of work.
  16. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Apr 19, 2012
    50
    On Iradelphic, Clark makes a sizable sonic departure from this tried-and-true brand, accelerating his recent investigations into vocal song structures and exploring rudimentary acoustic guitar textures, with mixed results.
  17. Resident Advisor
    Apr 11, 2012
    40
    There's no denying that Iradelphic is Clark's most accessible and friendly work in ages... Unfortunately, comfort is boring.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Mloclam
    Apr 11, 2012
    8
    Iradelphic has been described as nostalgic, but there's nothing necessarily wrong with that. Hearing such a warm, joyful record did come asIradelphic has been described as nostalgic, but there's nothing necessarily wrong with that. Hearing such a warm, joyful record did come as surprising considering the intense and often hard edged masterpieces like Body Riddle. His interest in changing after every record is what keeps him interesting, and while some hear a heavy influence of Boards of Canada, who can say they have been as brave as Clark in their last couple of releases?

    The opening of Henderson Wrench conjures up, of all things, Sepultura in their more tender moments. for my, Tooth Moves is the album highlight. It showcases guitar that Clark apparently taught himself for the album as acoustics and as a distinctly guitar-solo sounding synth melody.

    Martina Topley-Bird's contribution didn't have the seductive effect it usually does with me and I think the two tracks Open and Secret are the most passable on the album. The satisfying last third is made up of the insistent string plucking three part The Pining, which stirred up feelings of fearlessness I now recognised as belonging to a stupid man in his early 20s. It's been my go-to album for the last few weeks and I look forward to the next guise Clark presents himself in for the next record.    … Full Review »
  2. AlexxTrusc
    May 26, 2012
    7
    Clark's album - "Iradelphic" is a wonderful combination of experimental and electronic music with a variety of instrumental insertions ("TheClark's album - "Iradelphic" is a wonderful combination of experimental and electronic music with a variety of instrumental insertions ("The pining Pt2 "), or avant-garde vocals ("Secret"). Through songs such as "Com Touch" Clark may resemble of Herzog, but is able to append in any composition some new and interesting theme. Very successful production.… Full Review »
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