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Love This Giant Image
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 36 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 42 Ratings

  • Summary: The collaboration between David Byrne and St. Vincent, first planned more than two years ago, was produced with John Congleton.

Top Track

Who
Who be my valentine Who lift this heavy load Who share this taxicab Who wants to climb aboard Who is an honest man? Who is an honest man? Who held... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 36
  2. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. Love This Giant is a skewed and funky instant classic.
  2. Sep 10, 2012
    85
    The duo successfully crosses Clark's talent of romanticizing morbidity through melody and Byrne's knack for eccentric pop by using a prominent horn section both as a bridge between the two and an unfamiliar element that distinguishes this as a partnered effort.
  3. Sep 6, 2012
    80
    Byrne and Clark have managed to not only meet but exceed expectations, and created one of the year's smartest albums in doing so.
  4. 80
    Pop sensibilities are allowed to swell over, into and around each other; each song blends the seams of the core into a fragmented, disjointed, appropriately-meshing of sounds and in the end, Love this Giant is a magnificent triumph because of it all.
  5. Sep 11, 2012
    75
    A deeply weird and deeply lovely record, albeit one that listeners should do their best to listen to with as few preconceptions as possible. A tall order, perhaps, but one that will help avoid disappointment.
  6. Sep 10, 2012
    70
    Nothing is excitingly radical nor is anything unpolished or poorly composed.
  7. Sep 10, 2012
    50
    A May-November partnership that results in a spate of interesting moments, but largely dies on the vine.

See all 36 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Mar 8, 2015
    10
    Love This Giant is a masterpiece. Album of The Year 2012 in my opinion along with Born This Way by Lady Gaga. Byrne & Clark have some of theLove This Giant is a masterpiece. Album of The Year 2012 in my opinion along with Born This Way by Lady Gaga. Byrne & Clark have some of the best lyrics ever released. It's so weird and so beautiful at the same time. Expand
  2. Oct 3, 2012
    9
    Let's just admit that there are a couple of moments, or maybe even songs, that aren't fully realized. Then let's move on, cause there areLet's just admit that there are a couple of moments, or maybe even songs, that aren't fully realized. Then let's move on, cause there are scads of prime material. Who, I Should Watch TV, and Lightning are very much realized, and the vision is beautiful. The Forest Awakes, aside from a lacklustre melody in the verse, is big and wondrous. I imagine that this album is best heard live. Seize the opportunity while you can. Expand
  3. Dec 9, 2012
    9
    David Byrne is the ex front man and songwriter for American new wave band, The Talking Heads (1975-1991). He has received Grammy, Golden GlobeDavid Byrne is the ex front man and songwriter for American new wave band, The Talking Heads (1975-1991). He has received Grammy, Golden Globe and Oscar awards and also had been inducted to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In two simple words: Living Legend.

    St. Vincent is her stage name. She is Annie Erin Clark, an american singer-song writer and multi-instrumentalist. Clark has opened show for acts such as Arcade Fire, Grizzly Bear, Television and many more. She has also collaborated with Bon Iver on the song called
    Expand
  4. Oct 5, 2012
    9
    This one requires your attention. You need to really listen. All this brass and funky beats, strange melodies and enchanting voices. "Who" andThis one requires your attention. You need to really listen. All this brass and funky beats, strange melodies and enchanting voices. "Who" and "I am an Ape" are my personal favorites and will definitely get you hooked. Expand
  5. Apr 27, 2014
    8
    I think the St. Vincent material is strongest here...love Byrne too, but love St. Vincent all that much more. Terrific album & the live showI think the St. Vincent material is strongest here...love Byrne too, but love St. Vincent all that much more. Terrific album & the live show was totally great as well. Expand
  6. Sep 13, 2012
    8
    David Byrne and Annie Clark are two extremely distinctive artists. Byrne has grasped legendary status through his impressive career spanningDavid Byrne and Annie Clark are two extremely distinctive artists. Byrne has grasped legendary status through his impressive career spanning back to Talking Heads debut Expand
  7. Feb 15, 2018
    8
    To call this pairing interesting would be an understatement. "Love This Giant" is the perfect blend of the two artists strengths. It soundsTo call this pairing interesting would be an understatement. "Love This Giant" is the perfect blend of the two artists strengths. It sounds like what you'd hope it would be, an achievement in itself - the fact that they pulled off bringing the best of both artists to the table without sounding like a mess is to be commended. David Byrne probably comes across more on the record and carries the majority of the songs and Talking Heads/Byrne fans will probably like this more than fans of St Vincent. The songs are generally in the 3 to 4 minute mark so perfect for a pop record. The ideas never outlast their welcome. The sequencing and editing is well thought out the only argument against this release is that maybe a 5 track EP would have better served the purpose of the collaboration. When it all comes together, "Love This Giant" is up there with the best of 2012 stuff. "Who", "I Am An Ape", "I Should Watch TV", "Optimist", "Lightning" and "The One Who Broke Your Heart" would have made that EP. Expand