Secondhand Rapture
by MS MR
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: May 14, 2013
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
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  1. musicOMH.com
    May 13, 2013
    80
    For them, you feel, everything else is incidental--by-products of an already winning formula. For at the heart of each of the songs here is a touch of resonance--the kind that all the best pop records have.
  2. Filter
    May 15, 2013
    76
    Apt at harnessing the power of the pout, songs are left in the shadows, no minor key left unexplored. Theatrical, yes. But not without restraint.
  3. Pretty Much Amazing
    May 13, 2013
    75
    It does not always work, but in short, orchestral bursts, MS MR demonstrate that they can transcend the confines of goth synth-pop, and produce one of the most memorable debuts of the year.
  5. Consequence
    May 20, 2013
    70
    Secondhand Rapture blurs the line between throwing up our hands in defeat and throwing them up in joy.
  6. Slant Magazine
    May 13, 2013
    70
    MS MR's knack for durable hooks, in fact, is what keeps the album's gloomy goth-pop anchored.
  7. AllMusic
    May 13, 2013
    70
    MS MR concentrate on a sullen yet sultry mood for the bulk of Secondhand Rapture, and while that delivers several notable tracks--"Fantasy" and "Head Is Not My Home" chief among them--at times it's almost too much.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 22 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 22
  3. Negative: 1 out of 22
  1. Ribbyroo
    Dec 9, 2013
    9
    A very strong album with beautiful vocals by the female singer from Lizzy Plapinger. There is more to come from this band, i'm sure of it.A very strong album with beautiful vocals by the female singer from Lizzy Plapinger. There is more to come from this band, i'm sure of it.

    Notable Tracks:
    Hurricane
    Bones
    Dark Doo Wop
    BTSK    … Full Review »
  2. alifzaini
    May 24, 2013
    7
    With powerful female vocals, one would easily make comparisons of MS MR with acts like Florence the Machine, Alex Winston, Beth JeansWith powerful female vocals, one would easily make comparisons of MS MR with acts like Florence the Machine, Alex Winston, Beth Jeans Houghton etc. While the string of similarly characterized acts are being rolled out oh so frequently these days, it seems the main deciding issue now is an old one how to set yourself apart from the rest.

    MS MR's record is carried mainly by Lizzy Plapinger's strong voice which courses through you again, like the voices of a Ms. Welch/Winston/Houghton/whoever. However the music that is the backdrop to it seems too weak to hold up. Yes, the roaring percussions that beats steadily throughout the album evokes a strong, almost epic atmosphere but its coupling with the electronic synthesized music does not pan out as well as it could.

    Nonetheless, "Secondhand Rapture" is a good record. Some choice tracks would be 'Hurricane' and 'Head Is Not My Home'. Along with a couple more good tracks, it's an album that satisfies but it's not the year's stand out record.    … Full Review »
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