Shields: B-Sides
by Grizzly Bear
  • Record Label: Warp
  • Release Date: Nov 12, 2013
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
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  1. Pitchfork
    Nov 15, 2013
    74
    They worked on about 20 demos there, but none made the record. Shields: Expanded collects the best of these previously unheard Marfa tracks, which amount to captivating sketches, rather than scraps.
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    Nov 25, 2013
    70
    While the Nicolas Jaar, Liars and Lindstrøm remixes add synthetic space to ‘Sleeping Ute’, ‘A Simple Answer’ and a Daft-ly disco ‘Gun-Shy’ respectively, it’s the fragile new tracks ‘Smothering Green’ (a muted, modernist Cole Porter clatter), ‘Taken Down’ (falsetto Fleet Foxes) and the two versions of ‘Everyone I Know’ (one churchy, one space-jazz meltdown renamed ‘Will Calls (Marfa Demo)’) that are the real treasures here.
  3. Exclaim
    Nov 15, 2013
    70
    This eight-song set provides a bit of insight into the evolution of Grizzly Bear's ever-ripening sound.
  5. The Line of Best Fit
    Nov 15, 2013
    75
    Though not quite as compositionally adventurous as Shields, these demos and bonus tracks are equally emotionally resonant--it’s an insight into what Shields could have been--and what we might have to look forward to in the future.
  6. Pretty Much Amazing
    Nov 15, 2013
    67
    Five tracks, two very good, three just good, and three remixes, one worth your while, and two that don’t fight to be heard by anyone other than fans of the band.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Ricko
    Aug 23, 2018
    7
    Great bonus to get with the "Shields" album for fans of the band. "Smothering Green" has the classic early Grizzly Bear sound. The remixes areGreat bonus to get with the "Shields" album for fans of the band. "Smothering Green" has the classic early Grizzly Bear sound. The remixes are fairly generic. The rest of the EP is good for fans but might lose any newcomers fairly early. It is a B-Sides EP afterall.… Full Review »
  2. facuronca
    Aug 24, 2017
    9
    Conociendo, hoy en 2017, la cronología de Grizzly Bear diría que este album es sencillamente otra genialidad que para aquel entonces 2013 meConociendo, hoy en 2017, la cronología de Grizzly Bear diría que este album es sencillamente otra genialidad que para aquel entonces 2013 me dejó consternado esperando mucho más. Hoy en día digo que es un 9.5, pero por allá en el 2013 pensaba que me faltaba mucho más. Y es que aun hoy pienso que pudieron hacer mucho más, pero la simpleza del album y adhiriendo el hecho de que cada pista se ve musicalmente relacionada una con otra, ese es el toque que necesite para notar un buen album.… Full Review »
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