• Record Label: Warp
  • Release Date: Oct 23, 2007
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 16
  2. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Prefuse 73 sounds freer, and yet more deliberately formal--most of the songs break down like classic hip-hop does, two-thirds of the way toward the end.
  2. Questions aside, it sounds badass; dope, even, like any good hip-hop record should.
  3. On closer inspection and at a suitably stupid volume, however, Preparations rocks and lurches in grand fashion.
  4. The edge is still very much here. Prefuse can still drop it apocalyptic-style, as he proves on 'Prog Version Slowly Crushed.'
  5. A supernal set of tracks ends Preparations, movements of pure reverie that complete the album in fitting fashion.
  6. Alternative Press
    80
    Herren manages to deliver another dense, cinematic electronic record without repeating himself or--worse--the competition. [Dec 2007, p.187]
  7. With its shyness, lack of flourish, unvarnished finish and relative dearth of guest appearances, Preparations is, more than any other Pref record, some decidedly this-level-type shit.
  8. There's nothing all that innovative here, but Preparations is warm and familiar enough to keep the brain buzzing.
  9. Spin
    70
    Preparations will leave you dizzy and wondering what it all means-- which may be the point. [Nov 2007, p.124]
  10. With the melodies of Preparations displaying the most striking progress, it’s the beat less bonus disc that stands to be the most exciting part of the package.
  11. The reality is that many of these songs could easily be outtakes from "One Word," and by sharing many of the same sounds, Preparations ends up sharing a similar voice, which doesn’t excite as it once did.
  12. Even at 46 minutes, Preparations is wearying; it's the same Prefuse tricks once more, with less feeling.
  13. The sense of clutter, not to mention a recurring high-pitched motif, makes Preparations feel like being trapped in someone else’s nightmares too long.
  14. The Wire
    40
    Preparations is a tediously uneven listen that drags on despite its 31 minutes running time. [Oct 2007, p. 63]
  15. Under The Radar
    40
    On the whole, it's not a big departure, or a grand statement. [Fall 2007, p.87]
  16. Uncut
    40
    Preparations smudges the distinction between Herren's Prefuse 73 and Savath & Savalas aliases, and shares with Golden Pollen, his summer S&S release, a listless drift. [Dec 2007, p.101]

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