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Past Life Martyred Saints
by
Past Life Martyred Saints Image
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 24 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 34 Ratings

  • Summary: Erika M. Anderson of Gowns returns with her debut solo full-length album.
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  • Record Label: Souterrain Transmissions
  • Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Neo-Psychedelia
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Top Track

California
Fuck California, you made me boring I've bled all my blood out But these red pants they don't show that My old friends though they know that But when... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. PopMatters
    May 13, 2011
    90
    EMA's work is simultaneously some of the most interesting I've heard in years, and jaggedly alive, the furthest thing from any sort of academic exercise.
  2. Beats Per Minute
    May 11, 2011
    85
    From epic opener "The Grey Ship," to the equally epic closing track "Red Star," Past Life Martyred Saints is an album that captivates, provokes, and pleases.
  3. Consequence
    May 10, 2011
    80
    A record that is both magical and heartbreaking, Past Life Martyred Saints looks to be a beautiful start for Anderson, who has a small handful of live shows set up for the summer.
  4. Slant Magazine
    May 13, 2011
    80
    Though Gowns foreshadowed a lot of what Anderson is about (avant-garde noise-folk, elliptical lyrics), going solo has allowed her to make something genuinely personal and almost frighteningly honest.
  5. cokemachineglow
    Aug 8, 2011
    80
    The most intense moments in Past Life Martyred Saints are evocative enough to drag you back through your own most overblown emotional crises, but when the buzz fades, you are plopped back into the halcyon present, strangely empty.
  6. Under The Radar
    May 16, 2011
    70
    While the ennui is predominantly directed inward-with such lines as "I wish that every time he touched me left a mark" ("Marked") rasped so convincingly it's tough not to feel her emotional wounds--it's impossible to dismiss Past Life Martyred Saints as mere navel-gazing.
  7. The Independent (UK)
    May 10, 2011
    60
    Lyrically, there's a pervasive fascination with California outsider culture that soon palls, though the troubled relationship excavated in "Marked" suggests a deeper vein of inspiration may yet be mined.

See all 24 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. dartagnan
    Dec 14, 2011
    10
    while others seem more enamored by "milkman" the song that sold me was "greyship" powerful and poignant. I'm not going to pretend I know whatwhile others seem more enamored by "milkman" the song that sold me was "greyship" powerful and poignant. I'm not going to pretend I know what the album is about i don't I do know that no matter how earnest an album is the most important element is the strength of the melodies and they are as strong as a viking.… Expand
  2. RobertoReis
    Jan 21, 2012
    9
    EMA's debut album is one of the finest releases of 2011. It has everything to become a sort of classic in the following years. Every singleEMA's debut album is one of the finest releases of 2011. It has everything to become a sort of classic in the following years. Every single song is crafted with sentiment and depth.… Expand
  4. lilbilly
    Jul 6, 2011
    9
    This is simply an excellent album, with haunting lyrics, and mostly minimal instrumentation. My only problem with it is that is a littleThis is simply an excellent album, with haunting lyrics, and mostly minimal instrumentation. My only problem with it is that is a little short. But if you are a fan of alternative music, I recommend you pick this up as fast as possible.… Expand
  5. hydrawithears
    Oct 2, 2011
    8
    Whenever I listen to EMA, Anna Calvi comes to my mind. The two singers have a lot in common: they both have released their debut albums thisWhenever I listen to EMA, Anna Calvi comes to my mind. The two singers have a lot in common: they both have released their debut albums this year, each of them touches on dark matters, even the LP covers are somehow similar. Finally, they both rock. EMAâ… Expand

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Awards & Rankings

83
#83 Best Album of 2011