Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 35
  2. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. Billboard
    60
    Much of the material on the quirky "Show Your Bones" is more intimate and, at times, tentative. [1 Apr 2006]
  2. It's time to move some units, so quirky's out and tunefulness is in.
  3. The New York Times
    60
    "Show Your Bones" doesn't confide much, but it's a picture of a band that's not quite sure what to do next. [27 Mar 2006]
  4. Blender
    60
    They're after something different here--it's just not as good as what they've left behind. [Apr 2006, p.110]
  5. Unfortunately, though, too much of Show Your Bones just isn't that interesting, even if it was born from genuine heartache instead of sass and attitude.
  6. It sounds overcooked, over-thought, and overly ambitious, but such growing pains are preferable to pandering.
  7. Paste Magazine
    60
    Everything I loved about Fever... is minimized on this follow-up, replaced by a more temperate jangle. [Jun/Jul 2006, p.129]
  8. Alas, despite finding some hooks worth pilfering, the band are still struggling to raise their game beyond White Stripes-goth-lite.
  9. Gone is the glitzy art-punk, spastic freak-out, and unfathomable screaming. Here now instead is simple melody, nasal singing, and familiar songs, which begs the question: Y Control?
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 99 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 84 out of 99
  2. Negative: 4 out of 99
  1. j30
    Aug 15, 2011
    8
    Really good album. Great follow-up to Fever To Tell. It amazes me how they've evolved as a band.
  2. Sep 20, 2018
    8
    A fairly strong follow up to their debut "Fever to Tell". There's not too much of a change but "Show Your Bones" is less rocky and a littleA fairly strong follow up to their debut "Fever to Tell". There's not too much of a change but "Show Your Bones" is less rocky and a little bit more melodic but has all the trademarks that would have attracted you to the band in the first place. The early and latter parts of the records do a good job of holding up a slightly lagging middle section. Full Review »
  3. FabioL
    Sep 7, 2007
    10
    A great album all around. Worlds different than Fever to Tell... still a masterpiece.