One Beat
by Sleater-Kinney
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 38 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 38
  3. Negative: 3 out of 38

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  1. JamesB.
    Aug 30, 2002
    10
    WOW
  2. BenjaminD
    Aug 30, 2002
    10
    The most complex and thrilling record S-K has ever produced. I have been floored by this cd ever since i bought it. Shake a tail for peace and love! "When violence rules the world outside; And the headlines make me want to cry; It?s not the time to just keep quiet; Speak up one time TO THE BEAT"
  3. CJCarter
    Aug 30, 2002
    9
    A band showing real growth when rock n' roll needs it most. Reminds me in spirit of U2 at their most heartfelt and lethal. This record deserves to be heard.
  4. AndrewI
    Sep 16, 2002
    10
    I think this is the most thrilling band in the world right now. This essential album might be their best, might not - does it really matter?
  5. JamesA
    Aug 30, 2002
    10
    I haven't been this excited about music in a long time!
  6. BillyD.
    Aug 16, 2002
    8
    Mostly in the same rocking-yet-serious vein as The Hot Rock (thought not up that album's gold standard). The best tracks are the ones that are the most far out and experimental, like the title track, Oh!, and Sympathy. The radical (but thoughtful) political sentiments and Carrie's new, "rougher" style of singing might take some getting used to. Overall, a fantastic album, but Mostly in the same rocking-yet-serious vein as The Hot Rock (thought not up that album's gold standard). The best tracks are the ones that are the most far out and experimental, like the title track, Oh!, and Sympathy. The radical (but thoughtful) political sentiments and Carrie's new, "rougher" style of singing might take some getting used to. Overall, a fantastic album, but not S-K's best ever.… Expand
  7. GarlandB.
    Aug 17, 2002
    10
    Completley thrilling.
  8. IanC.
    Aug 22, 2002
    10
    I wasn't a huge fan of this record when I first bought it. After listening to it several times, it's now my favorite SK album. The new sounds and instrumentation that the group has added take all these songs up a level. Basically, I love "One Beat" because it pushes SK's sound further and I know that I'll be able to look forward to many more records by a band still in I wasn't a huge fan of this record when I first bought it. After listening to it several times, it's now my favorite SK album. The new sounds and instrumentation that the group has added take all these songs up a level. Basically, I love "One Beat" because it pushes SK's sound further and I know that I'll be able to look forward to many more records by a band still in its stride. … Expand
  9. TimE.
    Jan 13, 2005
    9
    You can't beat "One Beat." The greatest and most meaningful songs of their career. You can even shake, mosh and groove to the funky beats of "one Beat."
  10. Omniculex
    Jan 15, 2015
    10
    Honestly, my first exposure to the band, and I've been an addict since. Though written and released a decade ago, man, does it still ring true today, even if the names and targets have changed.

Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Best Album of 2002
87
#87 Most Discussed Album of 2002

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. The A.V. Club
    90
    For several albums now, Sleater-Kinney has shown eagerness to experiment, and it seems to be pounding at a wall, getting ever closer to the recording that will break it down. One Beat isn't quite it, but it makes a glorious noise in the process.
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  2. Dusted Magazine
    90
    One Beat joins the likes of Fugazi's In On the Killtaker and Bikini Kill's Reject All American for its impassioned new-world resistance, and could very well be the greatest triumph of punk independence since Black Flag.
    Read full review
  3. Rolling Stone
    80
    Their riotous manifesto remains the same, but their musical dialect has expanded to include blues, soul and even traces of pristine Led Zeppelin-era metal.
    Read full review
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