User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info
No One Can Ever Know Image
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 15 Ratings

  • Summary: The third album from the indie rock Scottish trio was produced with Andrew Weatherall.
Buy Now
Buy on
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 24
  2. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Feb 7, 2012
    83
    The bleakest of the band's albums, No One Can Ever Know works because The Twilight Sad knows exactly what old bits to jettison and new ones to embrace without tinkering with its cold, black heart.
  2. Feb 2, 2012
    80
    Purer than innocence and richer than gold, No One Can Ever Know confirms that The Twilight Sad are simply too good to remain a-little-less-than-well-known outside the restrictive realms of slightly-less-than-world-conqering 'zines.
  3. Feb 10, 2012
    80
    A tense and absorbing record that creates its own world for you to live in.
  4. Feb 7, 2012
    70
    For a young band with only three records under its belt, the exactitude and evolution that The Twilight Sad shows on No One is impressive.
  5. Feb 14, 2012
    70
    No One Can Ever Know is quite a good album, not as fresh as the debut, but more complicated and premeditated.
  6. Feb 10, 2012
    70
    An album that rewards patience and careful attention; the band has always known how to capitalize on subtlety, but now it's the name of the game.
  7. Mar 19, 2012
    40
    It's been a long time since their debut album was released in 2007 and maybe nostalgia is working against them, but No One Can Ever Know can barely keep the walls interested.

See all 24 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Apr 24, 2012
    10
    I was a fan already with their first two albums, but this album is an apotheosis. Listeners who are not already in love with Joy Division haveI was a fan already with their first two albums, but this album is an apotheosis. Listeners who are not already in love with Joy Division have no background to truly judge this album, because this is the best thing in this genre of music since Closer. Is the whole album really a requiem for a dead mother? I would love to spend a night drinking with James. The thing about this album is that once you get it, after at least 3 listens, is every song is great. This album has been a drug that you can not get enough of....not since The Nationals Alligator has an album been this addictive. Best song, probably Nil, but Kill Them in the Morning and Alphabet are a close second, but hell, every track is just as pertinent to the whole. Expand
  2. Oct 24, 2012
    10
    The Twilight Sad are one of those band s that should be huge, but for whatever reason have failed to make it on to radio playlist. A that isThe Twilight Sad are one of those band s that should be huge, but for whatever reason have failed to make it on to radio playlist. A that is one gigantic shame. With this new release TTS have moved to a more Synth style of music. the albums is a corker from track one Alphabet to the closing Kill It in the Morning. Standout tracks Dead City and Nil and first single Sick will make sure you listen more than once. Now if only we could get them to tour Australia. Expand
  3. Jan 17, 2015
    9
    In No One Can Ever Know, The Twilight Sad continues to show how nostalgic, bitter, subtle and powerfully angry are, but now [by addingIn No One Can Ever Know, The Twilight Sad continues to show how nostalgic, bitter, subtle and powerfully angry are, but now [by adding different, new and unknown elements to them] they demonstrate just how versatile and stylistic can be if they want to. Expand
  4. Mar 18, 2012
    8
    The Twilight Sad move more in the 'synth' direction on this album, and bring more clarity and tunefulness to the proceedings. Songs likeThe Twilight Sad move more in the 'synth' direction on this album, and bring more clarity and tunefulness to the proceedings. Songs like 'Don't Move' & 'Another Bed' have added a direct catchiness to the band's bow, which had previously been glimpsed only through overbearing walls of sound. That's not to say that this is 'The-Twilight-Sad-Goes-Pop', though. 'No One Can Ever Know' is an album that, just like the previous record 'Forget The Night Ahead', delights in hiding things away in the furrows of it's grooves. It's an album full of mystery, that begs to played until it finally submits it's secrets. The Twilight Sad's best record? Only time will tell... But I can promise a close run race. Expand
  5. Jun 4, 2020
    8
    Many bands make good records but not half as many make multiple good ones. While I believe The Twilight Sad have yet to make theirMany bands make good records but not half as many make multiple good ones. While I believe The Twilight Sad have yet to make their masterpiece, every record they have put out to date has been a good one. Their third one, "No one Can Ever Know" is probably the bravest of their releases in terms of risks taken. The synths sound great and add to the gloom. The pull this trick off in a way that I felt Editors couldn't on their third album, 2009's still solid "In this Light and On This Evening". While both albums are similar in quality, The Twilight Sad did a more seamless job in transitioning styles while maintaining their core sound. The more I listen to this band the more I like them and am always inclined to check out more of their back catalog. Expand
  6. Apr 26, 2012
    4
    "No One Can Ever Know" is the third, industrial and somewhat darker than its predecessor "The Wrong Car" album from Scottish band The Twilight"No One Can Ever Know" is the third, industrial and somewhat darker than its predecessor "The Wrong Car" album from Scottish band The Twilight Sad. They still relies on melodic indie rock - on the album used mainly synth backgrounds and slightly electronic inserts ("Sick", "Do not Move"), highlighted role of the bass in "Do Not Look At Me" and much more spontaneous "Another Bed" or introduced piano theme in "Not Sleeping". Despite all of these treatments, compositions seem awfully similar to each other, sometimes even dull. What's more vocal line - which also not everyone will relish - only completes this feeling. Expand