User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Living Things Image
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

  • Summary: The singer-songwriter (who also appears in the group The Thorns) releases his first official solo disc since 1999's 'In Reverse.' Van Dyke Parks guests.

Top Track

Burn It Down
The cycle repeated As explosions broke in the sky All that I needed Was the one thing I couldn't find And you were there at the turn Waiting to let... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 9
  2. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Uncut
    80
    As ambitious and compelling as psych-tinged pop gets. [Nov 2004, p.122]
  2. One of his most consistent and accomplished albums, sounding better with each repeated play.
  3. Q Magazine
    70
    Shows he still has few peers when whipping up a likeable mix of energy, melody and glistening harmonies. [May 2005, p.117]
  4. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    Resembles an overstuffed scrapbook more than it does a coherent album. [22 Oct 2004, p.96]
  5. Blender
    60
    Lush and idyllic. [Nov 2004, p.142]
  6. It’s merely another nice try, charmingly forgettable.
  7. Too many of the ideas seem incomplete, like sketches waiting to be fleshed out.

See all 9 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. DavidB
    Nov 13, 2004
    9
    An excellent album from Matthew Sweet. He has tried something slightly different rather than trying to copy Girlfriend, and the results are An excellent album from Matthew Sweet. He has tried something slightly different rather than trying to copy Girlfriend, and the results are very satisfying. Buy it now. Expand