Oceans Will Rise
by The Stills
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Alternative Press
    80
    It's by far the most readily accessible release in the A&C catalog and heightened the Stills anxieties to pathological levels, like setting bullet points from "An Inconvenuient Truth" to upbeat tunes. [Sep 2008, p.150]
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  2. Blender
    80
    It's done two good things for the Stills: sharpened their songwriting and returned them after a dull Album No. 2. to the crystalline guitar minimalism of their debut. [Sep 2008, p.84]
  3. AllMusic
    80
    Oceans Will Rise is a return to form for the Stills, who've earned their merit as an experimental group with a strong knack for pop/rock hooks.
  5. Austin Chronicle
    78
    Production seals it all as taut and as giving as speaker mesh.
  6. Under The Radar
    70
    Nothing spectacular, but something long-lasting and reliable. [Fall 2008, p.84]
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  7. NOW Magazine
    60
    The hooks and charm of their epic debut, "Logic Will Break Your Heart," were decidedly missing from their 2006 sophomore effort, "Without Feathers," but Oceans Will Rise marks a partial return to form for the Montreal quartet.
  8. PopMatters
    60
    In the end Oceans Will Rise strikes the listener as solid, appropriate, but not really that exciting
  9. Urb
    60
    It’s a welcome return to “vintage” Stills, after an attempt at stylistic departure (2006’s "With Feathers") was met with lukewarm critical reception.
  10. Mojo
    60
    The Stills still aren't sure of their true identity, but at least those Interpol comparisons are way behind them. [Jan 2008, p.101
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  11. Pitchfork
    58
    Oceans Will Rise is not a bad album, but it is very much the sound of a band still trying to figure out who they are--and in fairness, they have lost and gained a member since their first record. But three albums into a career, they should have a better idea than this.
  12. Prefix Magazine
    55
    On their appropriately (and doomily) titled third album, Oceans Will Rise, Montreal band The Stills address the end of the world in the only way they know how--with marginally catchy, heart-on-sleeve ballads that never hook up with their aspirations.
  13. Spin
    50
    Three albums in, the Stills still sound ambitiously confused.
  14. Uncut
    40
    The Stills remain a little too anonymous. [Dec 2008, p.116]
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  15. Q Magazine
    40
    Compentent and glossy, Oceans Will Rise sounds like a lot of effort has been expended for a rather meager retuyrn. [Dec 2008, p.135]
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 26 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 26
  3. Negative: 3 out of 26
  1. StephenC.
    Aug 23, 2008
    9
    People need to stop trashing 'without feathers', that is one great record. Problems is these reviewers only listen to it once, not People need to stop trashing 'without feathers', that is one great record. Problems is these reviewers only listen to it once, not like the people who appreciate it, the fans.… Full Review »
  2. JoeR
    Aug 22, 2008
    10
    Yes! The Stills are back. After a fairly disappointing change of direction for their last album - it took many spins and months for me to Yes! The Stills are back. After a fairly disappointing change of direction for their last album - it took many spins and months for me to even like it - album #3 finds the band finally get the right footing. Combining the bestaspects of "Logic Will Break Your Heart" and "Without Feathers" into a unified sound, "Oceans Will Rise" is a solid, consistent winner. There's not a single track here I don't like. It's also nice to see Tim Fletcher back in the forefront of the band again, as I much prefer his singing to Dave Hamelin's - which was one of the other failings of the second album. I have no hesitation in proclaiming this one of the year's best!… Full Review »
  3. BillB
    Aug 22, 2008
    8
    awesome noisy songs seem to cover up the songs of lesser strength, but still good!
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