Mount Wittenberg Orca [EP]
by Dirty Projectors
  • Record Label: Domino
  • Release Date: Oct 24, 2011
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
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  1. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Oct 24, 2011
    90
    Fearing that these songs were indicative of indie-pop conformity would not only be ignoring the group's rich and varied history with melody and rhythm, but also underestimating the ingenuity and convictions that Longstreth has consistently boasted throughout his recorded career.
  2. Beats Per Minute
    Oct 24, 2011
    82
    Mount Wittenberg Orca is uniquely and charmingly straightforward.
  3. Uncut
    Nov 23, 2011
    80
    Just when you thought Bjork had plumbed and conquered every depth and summit of her range, Dirty Projectors have shepherded her to newer pastures. [Dec 2011, p.81]
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  5. AllMusic
    Oct 25, 2011
    80
    A brief but powerful statement, Mount Wittenberg Orca brings remarkably creative artists together for a good cause, and ends up bringing out the best in all of them in the process.
  6. BBC Music
    Oct 24, 2011
    80
    The suite's key strength, and one of the advantages of brevity, is its focus.
  7. Delusions of Adequacy
    Oct 24, 2011
    80
    There is cohesiveness here, there is a strong theme throughout, there is terrific musicianship and a gorgeous melting of voices all in between.
  8. Consequence
    Oct 24, 2011
    80
    It's easily accessible and immediately enjoyable, something that can't always be said about these two artists who like to challenge their listeners.
  9. Drowned In Sound
    Oct 24, 2011
    80
    Much as [Bjork's] presence is immediately arresting and enhances its charms no end, it's a testament to the strength of Longstreth's songwriting that Mount Wittenberg Orca wouldn't suffer were she not a feature.
  10. The Independent (UK)
    Oct 24, 2011
    80
    With Björk and Longstreth sharing lead vocals, and instrumental contributions pared back to just a few drones and pulses, the result is a fascinating evocation of Orcan existence, implicitly acknowledging the entire planet as a home.
  11. Pitchfork
    Oct 24, 2011
    77
    The songs here are shorter, less cluttered, and just generally easier to listen to than Bitte Orca, which will disappoint you only if you love Dirty Projectors because of their relentless complexity.
  12. musicOMH.com
    Oct 24, 2011
    70
    As an EP taster, Mount Wittenberg Orca would have been great, but by positioning itself as the finished article, one is left with the sense of an incomplete journey and a wasted opportunity.
  13. PopMatters
    Oct 24, 2011
    70
    That Mount Wittenberg Orca is an acquired taste goes without saying. Yet no one else makes music like this.
  14. Slant Magazine
    Oct 24, 2011
    70
    Within the narrow confines of the EP, that uneasy balance between hopelessness and guarded optimism is given voice through the blend of Dirty Projectors's bouncing vocal harmonies (the gratingly forthright "eh-eh-eh-eh" verses in "On and Ever Onward") and Björk's reliably magenta undertones (and yes, I do mean "magenta" in the Blanche Devereaux sense).

User Reviews

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User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 59 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 49 out of 59
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 59
  3. Negative: 7 out of 59
  1. triangles19
    Jul 24, 2017
    7
    Mount Wittenberg Orca contains some "Medulla" type of productions from Björk, with different layers of voices tracks mixed together; theMount Wittenberg Orca contains some "Medulla" type of productions from Björk, with different layers of voices tracks mixed together; the narrative side of this project fits the format. The harmony between the two collaborators matches well. Plus, Björk is in an unknown territory in her career, the indie / pop-rock music.… Full Review »
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