Life Without Sound
by Cloud Nothings
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 36 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 36
  3. Negative: 1 out of 36
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  1. Tom_Bombadil
    Feb 3, 2017
    6
    A steady heartbeat is a surprisingly difficult thing to maintain, and since their last record I felt the steadiness of their heartbeat was not to be trusted. There are a few occasional good hooks here and there, and honestly I can't say there's a single "bad" track anywhere to be found, but overall the songs feel amateurish in a way that reveals poor taste and a deteriorated songwritingA steady heartbeat is a surprisingly difficult thing to maintain, and since their last record I felt the steadiness of their heartbeat was not to be trusted. There are a few occasional good hooks here and there, and honestly I can't say there's a single "bad" track anywhere to be found, but overall the songs feel amateurish in a way that reveals poor taste and a deteriorated songwriting ability. They fail to do more than sounding like a copy of the band that once made Attack on Memory. I see tired people playing a style of music that under no conditions can be played under the effects of tiredness.… Expand
  2. ourtimehascome
    Feb 12, 2017
    5
    Life Without Sound is well produced, but it's ultimately boring and lacks the immediacy of Cloud Nothings' previous albums. There is simply no effort to choose this album over one of their other better records.
  3. Commonsense
    Jan 27, 2017
    8
    I have to suspend my expectation from past work and their incredible single modern act. I was hoping for more similar to modern act, but it just wasn't there. It's an album that could grow or fade. No sudden impact, or a "wow, they hit the mark" feeling at the end, however that doesn't mean their music isn't finding a natural progression of maturity and tenderness at times. It just feelsI have to suspend my expectation from past work and their incredible single modern act. I was hoping for more similar to modern act, but it just wasn't there. It's an album that could grow or fade. No sudden impact, or a "wow, they hit the mark" feeling at the end, however that doesn't mean their music isn't finding a natural progression of maturity and tenderness at times. It just feels like one of those albums where you are already anxious for the next progression from a solid band.… Expand
  4. erolsabadosh
    Jan 29, 2017
    9
    Really enjoying this album! I wouldn't say it's better or worse than anything that's come before but it certainly feels like their most focused and polished effort that's for sure; stand-out songs for me are Enter Entirely, Sight Unseen & Up To The Surface for their emotional impact. I also love Things Are Right With You, Internal World & Modern Act for their anthemic hooks and melodies.Really enjoying this album! I wouldn't say it's better or worse than anything that's come before but it certainly feels like their most focused and polished effort that's for sure; stand-out songs for me are Enter Entirely, Sight Unseen & Up To The Surface for their emotional impact. I also love Things Are Right With You, Internal World & Modern Act for their anthemic hooks and melodies. Meanwhile Darkened Rings sounds like a sequel to Psychic Trauma and Strange Year and Realize My Fate also revisit the darker vibe of Here & Nowhere Else ending the album on a downbeat note. I don't have anything bad to say about it though overall; I think it's a really solid LP and I will be listening to it on repeat no doubt for a while to come.… Expand
  5. Music_Observer
    May 16, 2017
    6
    An overall creative use of simple harmonies and a few melodic sparks towards the end made this album a worthwhile listen, but it’s not the best new rock sound I’ve heard and only a couple of songs may actually grasp attention. My Score: 116/180 (Good) = 6.4/10

Awards & Rankings

75
#75 Most Shared Album of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Under The Radar
    Feb 27, 2017
    65
    It's a solid pop-rock album, but until they learn some new tricks, Cloud Nothings will just have to continue their search for whatever they're looking for.
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  2. Clash Music
    Feb 1, 2017
    80
    Cloud Nothings’ best work to date.
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  3. DIY Magazine
    Jan 27, 2017
    80
    Life Without Sound feels more confident, the songs themselves coming from a more positive position.
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