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It's a Wonderful Life
by
It's a Wonderful Life Image
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 17 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 29 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the third album for Mark Linkous and Sparklehorse.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    This time, the music is even more haunted. The brittle keyboards and violins make for the sound of an Appalachian funeral. It's the O Brother, Where Art Thou? for the modern death-obsessed introvert.
  2. CDNow
    90
    A reaffirming celebration of small details.
  3. AllMusic
    80
    It's a noticeably more focused effort. Though it lacks Good Morning Spider's sprawling brilliance, it's possibly Linkous' most effective, and affecting, collection of songs.
  4. Dot Music
    80
    Essentially, 'It's A Wonderful Life', is an equally brilliant and perhaps more cohesive album, mixing an arcane guitar, string and keyboard based atmospheric tilt, with more fast-action, barrelling moments.
  5. Pitchfork
    77
    The most focused Sparklehorse effort yet, the album flows along with the grace of a river occasionally stirred by a rapid or two.
  6. Armchair DJ
    70
    These 13 dusky ditties almost always enchant.
  7. Spin
    60
    It's a Wonderful Life comes off like a Magical Soft Mystery Bulletin. Yet, those iridescent orchestrations seem to be covering for the underdeveloped dirges that dominate the album. [Oct 2001, p.127]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 17 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. KellyW
    Apr 29, 2005
    10
    Beautiful and delicate, yet dark and frightening. A absolute must for fans of Radiohead and Modest Mouse.
  2. BulgarianCritic
    May 23, 2019
    10
    One of the greatest and saddest artists that exist and an amazing piece for the soul
  4. JohnnyComelately
    Jan 26, 2004
    9
    One of the best albums of recent years. Absolutely beautiful to listen to. It is an very mellow and somewhat dark album but it will sonically One of the best albums of recent years. Absolutely beautiful to listen to. It is an very mellow and somewhat dark album but it will sonically deliver, in abundance, to the willing listener. Radiohead did not personally ask Sparklehorse to be their European opening act for nothing. David Fridman's production perfectly brings out the haunting artistry of Mark L. Total ear candy.… Collapse
  5. wonkwonkle
    Oct 19, 2001
    9
    Meet it halfway -- you'll love it
  6. TimS
    Sep 24, 2005
    9
    i love this album more than i love my girlfriend.the lyrics are like some kind of poetry written in a forest about a hundred years ago.
  7. Ricko
    Jul 8, 2020
    9
    "It's A Wonderful Life" is one of those albums that has clung on to me since I first heard it. I'm a fan of all of the Sparklehouse material"It's A Wonderful Life" is one of those albums that has clung on to me since I first heard it. I'm a fan of all of the Sparklehouse material and love their unmistakable sound but on this particular record it all comes together. A blend of indie cool and aching beauty. I'd argue its one of the more beautiful records you'll hear. The arrangements and range of melodies present is staggering and it is produced to perfection. You will swing from the indie rock anthems of "Gold Day", "Piano Fire" and "King of Nails" to the melancholic heartbreak of "Sea of Teeth", "Eyepennies" and "More Yellow Birds". The only misstep for me on the whole record is the Beck type "Dog Door" which feels out of place completely. Guaranteed to make your day gold.… Expand
  8. AdamP.
    Sep 21, 2001
    8
    Never buy Spin magazine ever. Or Blender for that matter.

Awards & Rankings

44
#44 Best Album of 2001
90
#90 Most Discussed Album of 2001
50
#50 Most Shared Album of 2001

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