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Paper Mâché Dream Balloon
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Paper Mâché Dream Balloon Image
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 34 Ratings

  • Summary: The Australian psychedelic garage band's second release in 2015 is an acoustic album recorded mainly at frontman Stu Mackenzie's family farm.
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Top Track

Sense
It's in vogue to be feckless When it comes to the mother taking care of us I know it's so conventional But it don't make no sense at all But in fact... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. DIY Magazine
    Nov 13, 2015
    80
    While things may start to sag towards the end as the wind in King Gizzard’s new sails dips low, Paper Maché Dream Balloon is undoubtedly one of their more confident statements yet.
  2. musicOMH.com
    Nov 16, 2015
    80
    It’s a lot of fun, for band and listener both (not always the easiest of tricks)--a ‘concept-less concept album’ shot through with just enough self-aware humour,
  3. The Guardian
    Nov 19, 2015
    80
    Paper Mâché Dream Balloon is a joy, because King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard are terrific songwriters, out of whom melodies tumble incessantly.
  4. Under The Radar
    Nov 12, 2015
    75
    They have things down to a psych-pop/rock science. [Nov-Dec 2015, p.72]
  5. AllMusic
    Nov 16, 2015
    70
    Paper Mâché Dream Balloon is about as straight as King Gizzard are ever likely to be, and it still totally works thanks to the high level of songcraft and their innate weirdness, which will always come out no matter how hard they may try to keep it under wraps.
  6. The Line of Best Fit
    Nov 10, 2015
    70
    The tempos are brisk, the mood is chirpy. No, make that chirpy chirpy cheek cheek. Keep it at, though, and much, much more compelling depths soon emerge.
  7. Q Magazine
    Oct 28, 2015
    40
    The paper-thin arrangements ensure there's little here to give psych-rock peers such as Tame Impala and Temples any sleepless nights. [Dec 2015, p.109]
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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. deadbank
    Mar 27, 2019
    10
    Favorites: Sense, Bone, Paper Mache Dream Balloon, The Bitter Boogie, N.G.R.I (Bloodstain), Paper Mache
  2. MattOLearyMusic
    Nov 14, 2015
    8
    Most complete work from the psych weirdos yet. It's light, fluffy, brisk, and beautiful.... with a Gumby-esque cover that serves as perfectMost complete work from the psych weirdos yet. It's light, fluffy, brisk, and beautiful.... with a Gumby-esque cover that serves as perfect imagery. Layers emerge with listens.… Expand
  4. nirvanafreak
    Nov 28, 2015
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Favourite Songs: Sense, Cold Cadaver, Paper Mâché Dream Balloon, Paper Mâché
    Least Favourite Songs: N.G.R.I. (Bloodstain), Time= Fate, Most of What I Like
    King Gizzard and the Wizard Lizard take a step back from the conceptual physcedelic rock of their previous 2 albums on this new, largely acoustic, album. The raw simplistic sound on here reminds me a lot of 60's pop records even if some of the songs on here- like 'Trapdoor'- are too weird to ever be from the 60's and I think that's the thing that they've carried over from physcedelic music; the lyrics. Half the time I don't know what the **** they're talking about but I would never care because they're too much of a joy to listen to. The album takes a bit of a dip in quality towards the end which really stops me from loving it, although the song/sound collage 'Paper Mâché' was a really good way to end the record. It just kept the memory of all the best parts of the album fresh in my head. I don't know what genre I'd like their next record to be but as long as they don't do country and nu-metal or even worse change their name I'm pretty sure I'll like whatever they release.
    Better Than Previous Project?: No. This is great though and to be fair they're completely different sounding albums.
    Try This If You Like: Pom Pom by Ariel Pink    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

87
#87 Most Shared Album of 2015

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