Size Matters
by Helmet
Metascore
52

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. Lost At Sea
    70
    The overall sound is a bit too polished and loses some of the raw power edge that previous albums rode to critical success.
  2. Village Voice
    60
    Hamilton's vocals are occasionally plotted now with pronounced melodies, which is nice. But his strikingly affectless, prep-school delivery is abandoned in favor of a gritty, generic bark.
  3. AllMusic
    60
    It isn't necessarily memorable, but as an exercise in measured, even artistic rage, it's classic Hamilton.
  5. Entertainment Weekly
    58
    An occasionally catchy but ultimately bland attempt at recapturing past glory. [8 Oct 2004, p.114]
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  6. Pitchfork
    54
    It's awkward to witness such a gloriously thuggish monster vainly attempt the rope-a-dope.
  7. Q Magazine
    40
    A disappointing barrage of lethargic metal. [Dec 2004, p.137]
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  8. Rolling Stone
    40
    The sludge is so overbearing that anyone born during the Eighties will wonder what once made them special. [28 Oct 2004, p.103]
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  9. Drawer B
    30
    Despite Hamilton's grittiest vocals to date, Size Matters is inarguably watered-down and bland.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. TomP
    Oct 9, 2006
    3
    I really really wanted to like this one. I was sadden that they broke up after Aftertaste and joyful when I heard they were back together. I really really wanted to like this one. I was sadden that they broke up after Aftertaste and joyful when I heard they were back together. For me, Aftertaste is an amazing CD. Size Matters is purely generic. Nothing special. After several rotations only the first song stands out at all and it would be a B side for any of their other CDs. So, pass very quickly. Stick with Meantime and Aftertaste and be thankful that Helmet gave metal 2 top tier CDs to worship.… Full Review »
  2. Marc-O.N
    Jun 10, 2006
    9
    Kicking and aggressive opening track followed by another intense song then a couple of pretty enjoyable tracks!
  3. RonE
    Dec 1, 2005
    6
    This album is OK, but it sounds familiar in spots. "Last Breath" recalls "Insatiable". "Surgery" sounds like "Speechless". Page puts two This album is OK, but it sounds familiar in spots. "Last Breath" recalls "Insatiable". "Surgery" sounds like "Speechless". Page puts two tracks from his recent band, Gandhi, on Size Matters: "Enemies" and "Everybody Loves You" (the Japanese edition of SM has two bonus tracks which are also from Gandhi, "Black Light" and "Just Like Me", which only leaves "Money Shot" unaccounted for). The rest is uneven, and i blame the drummer, who is extremely unimaginative and makes me desperately yearn for John Stanier's layered and pitiless percussion. Gandhi was very promising, and this new version of Helmet makes me wish Page Hamilton had just stuck with that band.… Full Review »
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