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Life in the Dark Image
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews What's this?

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  • Summary: The ninth full-length studio release for the folk rock band was self-produced and recorded at a farm in upstate New York.
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 10
  2. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Magnet
    Aug 9, 2016
    80
    The result is another set that perfectly captures the scruffy energy of its live shows. [No. 133, p.55]
  2. Uncut
    Jun 23, 2016
    80
    Singer-guitarist Ian Felice brings real pathos to lucid tales of characters in various states of dissolution. [Jul 2016, p.74]
  3. Mojo
    Jun 28, 2016
    80
    Life In The Dark constantly threatens to fall apart at the seams but the Felices miraculously hold their world together, the greatest campfire band imaginable. [Aug 2016, p.93]
  4. 70
    On Life In The Dark, the Felice Brothers continue their decade-plus quest of chronicling our crooked national pathologies with quirky humor, slacker indifference and guarded folkie optimism. Never before has the Felice Brothers taken in their country with so much wide-eyed wonder.
  5. Jul 7, 2016
    70
    The prevalent mood of Life In The Dark is rainy day music, obliquely referencing dark times in America through often-satirical character songs.
  6. Jun 23, 2016
    60
    Given how good the Felices are at what they do, fans are still likely to enjoy Life in the Dark's rambling take on American roots music, but casual observers might find their minds wandering by the time the album makes it into its final innings.
  7. Jun 27, 2016
    42
    The Felice Brothers seem out of their depth here, reveling in tired imagery and pretending to make it fresh by changing just a few small details.

See all 10 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. Apr 27, 2022
    10
    This album is a bit shorter than others but every song is a winner here. This album as stated by its title has a darker theme and overallThis album is a bit shorter than others but every song is a winner here. This album as stated by its title has a darker theme and overall mood to it. I really love the more fast paced songs like Aerosol Ball and Plunder as they are so clever with catchy lyrics. Their fast paced songs always invite you to sing along. For me as a fan of this band it has always been the ballads that get me. Ian has become a master at them. On this album a few stand out. Diamond Bell is another classic western tale of crime and death similar to Boy From Lawrence County from an earlier album. Sell The House is a beautiful heartbreaking song with very emotional imagery. The standout however for me is Triumph '73. Such a great song about leaving trouble and things not needed in life in the rear view mirror of a motorcycle and riding. This is like all of their albums, a great straight through listen of many stylistic changes but cerebral assassin lyricists and insanely talented musicians. Get chu sum. Expand