One Time Bells
by French Kicks
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. AllMusic
    90
    While the appealing rawness of their early material is occasionally missed here, the strides forward that the group makes on this album more than make up for it.
  2. Nude As The News
    80
    A subtle pop album that needs multiple listens and draws upon 1970s soul harmonies as much as it does Lou Reed’s repetitious rhythm guitar.
  3. Magnet
    80
    A rewarding, cohesive and climactic experience. [#54, p.88]
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  5. Alternative Press
    80
    It may take a few spins to fully appreciate French Kicks' nuances, but those who give them time will be greatly rewarded. [Jul 2002, p.81]
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  6. Mojo
    80
    Listen closely and you'll probably detect the likes of Wire, XTC and New Order but like contemporaries Hot Hot Heat and Ted Leo's Pharmacists, French Kicks are rocking their own joyfully addictive sound. [Jun 2003, p.101]
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  7. CDNow
    70
    It's only on "Close to Modern," a slinky, soul-infused number, that the French Kicks truly distance themselves from their downtown N.Y.C. contemporaries.
  8. Pitchfork
    66
    While better than some of their previous releases, One Time Bells still isn't a mind-blowing album.
  9. Q Magazine
    60
    That's not to say these 11 tracks lack merit, just impact, such highly-strung, right-angled songs as Right In Time frequently becoming bogged down in experimentation. [Jun 2003, p.96]
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  10. Blender
    60
    The band's smart-boy quirks make repeated listens progressively more enjoyable. [Jun/Jul 2002, p.106]
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  11. Trouser Press
    60
    To their vast credit, even if the songs resemble a greatest hits package of indie rock, each guitar break, each bridge comes alive with experimental toughness.
  12. Rolling Stone
    50
    The album's baffling mono feel weakens the French Kicks' already anemic sound.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 4 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 1 out of 4
  1. WayneJ
    Jan 10, 2007
    9
    fantastic album. very few poor songs. it's a little boring in the same sense that turn on the bright lights by interpol is a little fantastic album. very few poor songs. it's a little boring in the same sense that turn on the bright lights by interpol is a little boring. also, this album sounds really different from most of what i hear nowadays.… Full Review »
  2. DavisW
    May 9, 2005
    7
    Has a handful of great songs but doesn't come across as a solid album. Worth buying still, in my opinion.
  3. kaito
    Nov 7, 2003
    10
    i think paul o meant to review his own band.
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