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Phases
by
Phases Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 30 Ratings

  • Summary: The 12-track collection from the North Carolina-based singer-songwriter features B-sides, demos and rare tracks.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. The A.V. Club
    Nov 10, 2017
    91
    With its plaintive lyrics, Phases further shows that Olsen, like those venerable musicians, is a persistent truth teller, an authentic voice no matter what style she’s working in.
  2. Under The Radar
    Nov 9, 2017
    80
    Unlike the limitations that come with a tight studio album, each Phases track has space to fulfil its own purpose. The tracks sway about a bit, and, in doing so, make for a vast and emotionally compelling collection of songs.
  3. The Line of Best Fit
    Nov 15, 2017
    80
    As a crucial companion piece to her LPs proper, Phases achieves the rare distinction of must-have odds-and-ends album.
  4. Paste Magazine
    Nov 9, 2017
    76
    If Phases proves anything, it’s that Olsen’s discards are better than a lot of artists’ best efforts. Like her name suggests, she seems otherworldly, celestial--her impressive consistency and ability to transcend genre and era with seeming ease, nothing short of divine.
  5. Magnet
    Dec 22, 2017
    70
    What Phases lacks in structural coherence it makes up for in the stirring depth of the individual performances. These are worthy outliers. [No. 149, p.61]
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  6. Drowned In Sound
    Nov 14, 2017
    70
    Phases is a useful entry into Olsen's back catalogue with heavy stress on the 'back'. For those new to her work, this is a good introduction to her older work, and moreover, yet another example of her incredible talent as a storyteller and composer.
  7. Record Collector
    Nov 13, 2017
    60
    Opener Fly On Your Wall is oddly reminiscent of the plodding, tense quality of some of John Lennon/ Plastic Ono Band – the bits where Ringo appears to be playing biscuit tins--that is, until Olsen’s soaraway, otherworldly vocals take it somewhere altogether more spectral. Special follows, a languid jam that could have easily slotted on to the last album.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. damonleigh
    Jan 4, 2018
    7
    Really excellent insight into Olsen's creative process. Love the collection here. Bravo!
  2. Music_Observer
    Dec 3, 2017
    7
    There were a few strong standouts when the melody and harmony locked in together with both individuality and familiarity to shape an overallThere were a few strong standouts when the melody and harmony locked in together with both individuality and familiarity to shape an overall enjoyable work, but with the timbral decisions being mostly afterthoughts and an inability to strike gold with every melody, this is merely a fine easygoing presentation that has its moments but doesn’t replace the original non-compilation albums. My Score: 128/180 (Good) = 7.1/10… Expand
  4. All_ButTrU4
    Aug 25, 2022
    6
    What Phases lacks in structural coherence it makes up for in the stirring depth of the individual performances. These are worthy outliers