User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Poison Season
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Poison Season Image
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 26 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 67 Ratings

  • Summary: The second full-length release for Dan Bejar's solo project was produced by John Collins.
Buy Now
Buy on

Top Track

Dream Lover
Dream lover, I know Someone's idea of fun You and me thought in some city Lovers on the run Lovers on the run Haunted starlight gets in your... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List »
Powered by

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. NOW Magazine
    Aug 26, 2015
    100
    While there's still mystery and misdirection on his new album, Poison Season is nakedly ambitious and utterly satisfying.
  2. The A.V. Club
    Aug 28, 2015
    91
    Poison Season is the sound of an artist in complete control of the strange chaos around him.
  3. AllMusic
    Aug 27, 2015
    90
    Nearly 20 years on, Destroyer is still as surprising and inspired as ever.
  4. Mojo
    Aug 6, 2015
    80
    There's nothing bland about this fervid, ideasy album. [Sep 2015, p.90]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. musicOMH.com
    Aug 25, 2015
    80
    Poison Season is another excellent Destroyer album, packed with songs that are graceful, beautiful and, yes, hummable.
  6. Slant Magazine
    Aug 24, 2015
    80
    What makes Poison Season a great album, though, is that it doesn't completely wallow in Bejar's newfound smoking-jacket-and-fine-brandy sophistication—as opposed to the tattered-plaid-shirt-and-fifth-of-Jack wildness of early Destroyer. Rather, refined balladry like "Solace's Bride" coexists comfortably next to upbeat, funky songs like "Midnight Meet the Rain," which sounds like the badass theme song for an '80s cop show.
  7. Under The Radar
    Aug 6, 2015
    65
    It's not bad, and it certainly has its moments. But on the heels of Kaputt, it can be a frustrating, uneven listen. [Aug-Sep 2015, p.61]

See all 26 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. cali405
    Sep 1, 2015
    9
    A fantastically well-crafted album, every song on Poison Season reveals close attention to detail. The instrumentation on many of the tracksA fantastically well-crafted album, every song on Poison Season reveals close attention to detail. The instrumentation on many of the tracks is complex, layered, and captivating. Best of all, Poison Season blends elements from recent releases with older releases synthesizing them into something new, unexpected, and interesting.

    Without a doubt, one of the best albums of this year.    … Expand
  2. TheTransmuted
    Aug 28, 2015
    9
    This is a grand album. One of Destroyer's best. And that's saying something given this band's output over the past decade plus. It's rich,This is a grand album. One of Destroyer's best. And that's saying something given this band's output over the past decade plus. It's rich, musically lush and lyrically dynamic. And the strings... Lordy, the strings. There aren't many making music like this, and it's thrilling to hear Bejar and company hit the mark once again. Outstanding album, and one of my favorites of 2015 thus far.… Expand
  4. Custom_Concerns
    Sep 29, 2015
    8
    Destroyer remains wonderfully consistent with his discography. He never fails to impress, and Poison Season, the first of his records sinceDestroyer remains wonderfully consistent with his discography. He never fails to impress, and Poison Season, the first of his records since 2011's fantastic Kaputt, is no different. On Poison Season Dan Bejar adopts a melodic, breezy 70's pop/rock aesthetic that works brilliantly with his style of lyrics and vocals. Added to the mix are some finely produced string arrangements that take the place of the synthesizers from Kaputt. Each track is very enjoyable, but where the album falters slightly for me is in the wholistic presentation of Poison Season as an album. For rarely changing the instrumental lineup or dynamic intensity, it is a bit long. However, this criticism does not stop this album from being great. 2015 has a been a great year for baroque pop.… Expand

Related Articles

  1. Best of 2015, Games, TV, Movies, Music

    Best of August 2015: Top Albums, Games, Movies & TV

    Best of August 2015: Top Albums, Games, Movies & TV Image
    Published: August 31, 2015
    Browse our handy guide to the best entertainment of the past month, with lists of the highest-scoring video games, TV shows, albums, and films released during August.
    More »

Awards & Rankings

32
#32 Best Album of 2015

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 If I don't make it, I love u - Still House Plants
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
91 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
91 Funeral for Justice - Mdou Moctar
91 Here in the Pitch - Jessica Pratt
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
90 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
89 All Born Screaming - St. Vincent
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
All Current Music »