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Roots & Crowns
by
Roots & Crowns Image
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 22 Ratings

  • Summary: Tim Rutili & co. reunite with producer Brian Deck for another moody, experimental take on American roots rock.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Stylus Magazine
    91
    Califone has worked, skillfully, with all of these styles and sounds before, but they’ve never left the table with a more realized, delicate treatment.
  2. Pitchfork
    87
    Roots and Crowns is bluesy and soulful without reverting to revivalist schtick, and experimental without relying on blind cut-and-pasting.
  3. NOW Magazine
    80
    Even at its most pieced-together and deconstructed, Califone's music feels organic.
  4. Paste Magazine
    80
    The band's best collage of cross-bred eras yet. [Oct 2006, p.75]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Prefix Magazine
    70
    A beautiful back-porch album.
  6. Urb
    70
    The studio noodling on Roots & Crowns sounds fittingly organic and effortless. [Oct 2006, p.117]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Alternative Press
    40
    There's not a single song that's captivating enough to hold our attention. [Dec 2006, p.188]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 17 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. tl
    Dec 10, 2006
    10
    Where does Alternative Press get off giving Roots & Crowns a 4/10? Then, they go and give the most recent Ben Kweller CD a 10/10 (nothing Where does Alternative Press get off giving Roots & Crowns a 4/10? Then, they go and give the most recent Ben Kweller CD a 10/10 (nothing personal, Ben). Jesus! What a bunch of idiots! How mainstream do you have to be before you're not allowed to use "Alternative" in your title?… Expand
  2. HighHat
    Oct 11, 2006
    9
    Probably their best yet.
  4. ToddW
    Oct 12, 2006
    9
    I empathize with bands like Califone. They play my favorite genre of music; they're incredibly talented; their songs are a cornucopia of I empathize with bands like Califone. They play my favorite genre of music; they're incredibly talented; their songs are a cornucopia of sound and substance, and the music the play is like sunshine after a storm - all bright and welcome. Unfortunately, for all of these reasons their latest album will languish in the folk rock sections of your dying independent record stores, selling about as well as the hoary retreads in the used bins. FYE? Are you Coconuts? There is simply no place in the Sewerstream for bands like Califone. There's no visions of sweaty T&A in their songs and they don't advocate beating up women with (c)rap lyrics. Their sound is of the Earth, not the glossy pseudo-country pop being foisted upon us by the likes of no-wits Alan Jackson or Toby Keith, both of whom have never met a crisis they couldn't exploit.… Expand
  5. paul
    Nov 27, 2006
    9
    i whole heartedly agree with tristram - this band is taking americana to places wilco only wishes it could. i think the main thing missed by i whole heartedly agree with tristram - this band is taking americana to places wilco only wishes it could. i think the main thing missed by critics is that this record isn't a "pop" record - it's a collage of the future of american music. gets better with every listen. within my top 3 easily.… Expand
  6. FrankTheTank
    Dec 6, 2006
    9
    I'm bias. Califone is one of my favorite bands and i think this album is incredible. Alternative Press better take their ritalin.
  7. chiefn
    Oct 11, 2006
    8
    Pretty darn good, but I like Heron King Blues a tad better.
  8. Conchsound
    Oct 18, 2006
    6
    Kind of a snooze. I still enjoy the fact that musicians like this are still out there with heart and attention in their music. I just Kind of a snooze. I still enjoy the fact that musicians like this are still out there with heart and attention in their music. I just don't understand why their melodies and inflections are everywhere but in their voices. Call me jaded. I'm just bored with boring singers. I'm guilty though, I have a short attention span.… Expand

See all 16 User Reviews

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