• Record Label: Warp
  • Release Date: May 8, 2007
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 24
  2. Negative: 1 out of 24
  1. Paste Magazine
    60
    Simplicity is king, as a relentlessly jaunty onslaught of jangle-pop hurtles ever onwards. [May 2007, p.96]
  2. Q Magazine
    60
    Yet, for all the dumbing down, they have much going for them. [May 2007, p.122]
  3. Spin
    60
    Even with the occasional middling moments, it's hard to deny the band's clever, boisterous spirit. [May 2007, p.86]
  4. Alternative Press
    60
    Pleasant but edgeless. [Jun 2007, p.149]
  5. Despite its flaws, Our Earthly Pleasures is a good record of mostly up-tempo UK indie rock.
  6. Ultimately, Maximo Park have bravely taken a chance with this album, trying to experiment with their sound rather than settling for what had previously brought them success. Shame they weren't up to the task.
  7. It’s an engaging listen, sure, but sadly Our Earthly Pleasures lacks the euphoric punch to make a listener jump up and down vigourously.
  8. An album which makes you feel like Maxïmo are parked when they should be in the fast lane.
  9. It’s too early to write Maxïmo Park off, or to turf them into the ever-growing pile of indie also-rans. But they’ll need to pull out all the stops to recover their poise after this worrying misstep.
  10. Under The Radar
    50
    The sound’s a bit harsher, more abrasive this time around; the songs blur by with melodies that seem half-baked; and the mood’s shifted from wistful self-deprecation to paranoia. [#17, p.86]
  11. [Producer] Gil Norton... [has] an enviable track record, but he’s not doing Maxïmo Park any favours with this soft soak finish.
  12. Mojo
    40
    The tunes dry up alarmingly. [Jun 2007, p.108]
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 34 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 34
  2. Negative: 2 out of 34
  1. Jellogibby
    Jun 24, 2007
    7
    The album starts great with some classic tunes, but it gets a bit too clean in the second half. Too many songs with lack of sharpness. A The album starts great with some classic tunes, but it gets a bit too clean in the second half. Too many songs with lack of sharpness. A solid record, but they fail to exceed their brilliant debut. Full Review »
  2. Feb 24, 2012
    6
    The difficult 2nd album...It doesn't have the same immediacy as A Certain Trigger and the lyrics sound forced and pretentious rather thanThe difficult 2nd album...It doesn't have the same immediacy as A Certain Trigger and the lyrics sound forced and pretentious rather than poetic this time round. The big problem is the hooks just aren't as catchy or exciting as before. It's not a terrible record (Girls Who Play Guitars and Our Velocity are nice tunes) and if your a fan of the band I'm sure this will appeal to you, but there are also many other better albums out there to listen to. Full Review »
  3. philg
    Sep 16, 2007
    10
    as sharif said, initially a little disappointing, but what lies beneath the sheen of the unknown is a fantastic album, as full of ideas and as sharif said, initially a little disappointing, but what lies beneath the sheen of the unknown is a fantastic album, as full of ideas and pop hooks as the first, and eventualy you will come to see the album as what it is, flawless. Full Review »