Penny Sparkle
by Blonde Redhead
  • Record Label: 4AD
  • Release Date: Sep 14, 2010
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
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  1. Mojo
    60
    The album is a masterclass in elegiac navel gazing. [Oct 2010, p.90]
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  2. Spin
    60
    The trio are certainly equipped for the challenge, since they're already experienced purveyors of foreboding, romantic, minor-keyed dreaminess; but their dub-tinged candle-flicker sometimes trades haunting for drab.
  3. PopMatters
    60
    Wherever your verdict on Penny Sparkle falls, the album goes to show that even a band with such a strong, distinctive identity can still be a work-in-progress that keeps on striving for bigger, better things, even if they're not there.
  5. Under The Radar
    60
    Penny Sparkle has strong bookends. [Fall 2010, p. 66]
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  6. Uncut
    60
    Cocteau Twins, MBV and Angelo Badalamenti are obvious touchstones for the narcotised, heat0haze beauty of Penny Sparkle, which might stupefy were it not for the stylishly gloomy "Love Or Prison" and the deliciously frost-bitten "Oslo." [Oct 2010, p.87]
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  7. Paste Magazine
    54
    A nicely composed mix, no doubt, and one that's often gorgeous to boot, but Penny Sparkle mostly sounds like a band getting complacent with age.
  8. Slant Magazine
    50
    For all its dreaminess, Penny Sparkle is clinical and almost always predictable, despite the exotic murmurs of lead singer Kazu Makino.
  9. Tiny Mix Tapes
    50
    So while Penny Sparkle might constitute yet another step forward on the band's musical journey, it's not one that I feel compelled to follow them on.
  10. Q Magazine
    40
    Given the strength of their earlier work, Penny Sparkle is a big letdown. [Oct 2010, p.104]
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  11. The Guardian
    40
    Even given the band's fondness for equine metaphors, that's pretty obtuse – but somehow it does say something about Penny Sparkle's failure to satisfy.
  12. Pitchfork
    40
    Outside of a distorted vocal on "Not Getting There" and a slowly blooming and surprisingly gripping waltz ("Everything Is Wrong"), the arrangements seem done up like hospital rooms, every sound picked for maximum sterility.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. hydrawithears
    Oct 3, 2011
    4
    I guess that Blonde Redhead should have waited with release of a follow-up to their almost universally acclaimed 23 a bit longer. Despite aI guess that Blonde Redhead should have waited with release of a follow-up to their almost universally acclaimed 23 a bit longer. Despite a great start (Here Sometimes), the band fail to keep the listenerâ… Full Review »
  2. pdcuster
    Nov 29, 2010
    8
    criminally underrated album. i too was initially disappointed by this one because "23" was such a hard act to follow, BUT "penny sparkle" is acriminally underrated album. i too was initially disappointed by this one because "23" was such a hard act to follow, BUT "penny sparkle" is a grower. yeah, it tapers off in the end, but the meat on this record is some of the dreamiest pop music being made today. if you get the chance to see these guys on their current tour the album will make a whole lot more sense. i saw them with about a dozen friends last night and we were all blown away.… Full Review »
  3. micho224
    Sep 27, 2010
    5
    underwhelming and quite disappointing given the brilliance of their last album. Synths have basically replaced guitars leading to quite an icyunderwhelming and quite disappointing given the brilliance of their last album. Synths have basically replaced guitars leading to quite an icy and distant sound. Not really any standout tracks… Full Review »
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