Real Estate
by Real Estate
  • Record Label: Woodsist
  • Release Date: Nov 17, 2009
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. PopMatters
    90
    Cynics be damned: however the hype machine happens to play this one out, Real Estate have overcome the critics and released one of the most refreshing, satisfying and richly rewarding albums of 2009.
  2. Pitchfork
    85
    Despite the summery song titles and the beach balling associations that might follow these guys around, this music transcends the notion of seasons.
  3. cokemachineglow
    80
    Real Estate is a remarkable debut, and I really look forward to more from this band in the future, please, which will undoubtedly be soon in some form or another.
  5. Tiny Mix Tapes
    80
    Real Estate might not be the best classicist-leaning pop record of the year (that dubious honor goes to the more stylistically varied "Album," by Girls), but it certainly is the most confident, the most assured, and the most unassuming.
  6. AllMusic
    80
    June. Though half of Real Estate was already released by the band as singles and EPs, that just adds to the album’s instantly familiar feel--which is a large part of this unassuming debut album’s appeal.
  7. Boston Globe
    80
    The music, accordingly, is languorous and minor-key, the guitar work of Matt Mondanile chiming and tuneful in the manner of the Strokes. Nostalgia is carried along by the wind, along with the smell of salt water and hot pretzels.
  8. Under The Radar
    80
    For a band relatively new, Real Estate seems to understand what's within their grasp, and they attack it with a confidence that's pretty astonishing. [Holiday 2009, p.79]
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  9. Uncut
    80
    The lackadaisical nostalgia for childhood beach holidays is certainly evocative--as indeed, is the way Real Estate recall New Jersey Antecedents The Feelies and Yo La Tengo, plus any number of old Flying Nun bands. [Feb 2010, p.96]
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  10. Filter
    78
    All of these bittersweet tracks are gloriously faint approximations of everyone's favorite seasonal affective disorder. [Holiday 2009, p. 93]
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  11. Prefix Magazine
    75
    Despite its short shelf life, Real Estate, if it hits you at the right time, can be splendidly transcendent.
  12. Rolling Stone
    70
    Singer Martin Courtney's mumble is barely audible, and it all sounds like it was recorded on a boombox in someone's mom's pool house, but the band gets a lot of mileage from a silvery sunbeam of inspiration.
  13. No Ripcord
    70
    These ten songs are immaculately composed, proving that besides holding a pop motif that isn’t really revelatory, there’s enough variation to satisfy a few repeated listens.
  14. The A.V. Club
    67
    Real Estate is thin: light on dynamics, drowning in reverb, casually recorded, and mostly unadorned. These songs are blueprints for bigger, more complete ones.
  15. The Boston Phoenix
    63
    As Real Estate grinds on, it settles into a monotony of its own, until you can hardly distinguish one hazy nod-off jam from another.

Awards & Rankings

12
#12 Most Shared Album of 2009

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 27 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 27
  3. Negative: 2 out of 27
  1. SilverMan
    Jun 10, 2012
    9
    Even if the songs seem to be quiet harmless, this album is pretty impressive. How Real Estate creates beautiful melodies with two guitars andEven if the songs seem to be quiet harmless, this album is pretty impressive. How Real Estate creates beautiful melodies with two guitars and a bass without any sound effects, is incredibly awesome. One of my favourite albums and one of my favourite bands too.… Full Review »
  2. JeffC
    Nov 23, 2009
    10
    One of the best albums of the year, hands down. One of the few bands that can deliver equally in both their live performances and recorded One of the best albums of the year, hands down. One of the few bands that can deliver equally in both their live performances and recorded content. Great to see that the critics agree.… Full Review »
  3. Ricko
    Sep 25, 2020
    8
    Superb debut made up of 40 mins or so of jangly tunes overlaid with the occasional background vocal. The guitar tones used are very warm andSuperb debut made up of 40 mins or so of jangly tunes overlaid with the occasional background vocal. The guitar tones used are very warm and vintage sounding and give the whole album a retro feel. The album gives across a lovely, shiny kind of vibe, hard to describe with words which is always a good sign. The songs themselves don't stand out in particular, mainly as there are no real songs here, just floating hypnotic pieces of rhythmic music. Opener "Beach Comber" and closer "Snow Days" both bookend the album perfectly. Lovely stuff.… Full Review »
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