Slick Dogs And Ponies
by Louis XIV
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Jan 29, 2008
Metascore
37

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 10
  3. Negative: 4 out of 10
  1. Under The Radar
    60
    All 10 songs on the album include strings, including the arena-ready 'Air Traffic Control' and the nine-minute 'Hopesick.' Whether these changes represent an improvement for Louis XIV is debatable--mostly it is hit and miss. [Winter 2008, p.83]
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  2. Spin
    60
    Here they effectively marry T. Rex's trash-glam melodicism to a relentless blue-eyed funk beat. [Feb 2008, p.95]
  3. AllMusic
    50
    The moments of rocked-out swagger are fleeting and ultimately drowned out by a musical and lyrical heaviness that turns the album into a real downer.
  5. Hartford Courant
    40
    The San Diego rockers haven’t completely reined in their runaway libidos on Slick Dogs and Ponies, but they stray from the devilish attitude that made their brazen dirty talk such a riot.
  6. Rolling Stone
    40
    There's still too much of Brian Karscig's ultracampy 'Big Balls'--style vocals, and it sometimes feels like these guys have confused expanding their range with finding new sources to rip off.
  7. Boston Globe
    40
    Sick Dogs never coalesces into anything more than the sum of its noisy, jagged parts.
  8. Magnet
    30
    Aside from a handful of tunes, little here is all that memorable, namely because the hooks can’t see their way clear of the repetitive, robotic arrangements.
  9. PopMatters
    30
    Louis XIV has a considerable amount of work to do for listeners to regard them as more than aimless glam-rock fetishists.
  10. Pitchfork
    25
    The slightly more dynamic Louis XIV only give you testosterone-fueled rock at its least appealing extremes: heedless lust or, arguably even more repulsive, cheesy balladry.
  11. Slant Magazine
    20
    Though more adventurous than 2005's "The Best Little Secrets Are Kept," the band's sophomore LP, Slick Dogs and Ponies, still rings soulless at its core.

Awards & Rankings

85
#85 Most Discussed Album of 2008

User Reviews

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User Score
5.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 34 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 34
  3. Negative: 13 out of 34
  1. Hazzerman
    Aug 31, 2018
    10
    I found this cd in a bin in a goodwill and grabbed it because I though it looked kinda cool. Lo and behold, I found one of the best albums OFI found this cd in a bin in a goodwill and grabbed it because I though it looked kinda cool. Lo and behold, I found one of the best albums OF ALL TIME by sheer accident. How much other music is out there that no one knows about?… Full Review »
  2. nathanbo
    Jun 2, 2015
    0
    Louis XIV has redefined the "hate it or love it" atmosphere with their 3rd studio album. There are parts that I loe and there are parts ILouis XIV has redefined the "hate it or love it" atmosphere with their 3rd studio album. There are parts that I loe and there are parts I absolutely hate. If I loved some parts you are probably wondering about my score, but let me tell you when it gets bad it gets BAD. I am a sucker for rock ballads and I think Louis XIV has done a pretty good job changing their sound. Now when listening to this effort you would think that misguided sheep have better direction than these guys. Their stoner rock sounds feels overblown and the music almost sounds like they are covering themselves. The underground indie roots of most of their music is just watered down like Kool-Aid without sugar. Sometimes you just want to stab your eardrums while listening to this other times you want to write apology letters to whoever actually spent money buying this. The music ranges from ear bleedingly awful to slightly above average and it is hardly ever the latter. The is not what you expect expect from San Diego rockers as it reminds me more of Sick Dogs than anything else.… Full Review »
  3. JWest
    Apr 2, 2008
    3
    I wouldn't agree with the piece of shit comment but it is a pretty bad attempt at jumping on the Jet bandwagon. I loved Air Traffic I wouldn't agree with the piece of shit comment but it is a pretty bad attempt at jumping on the Jet bandwagon. I loved Air Traffic Control which is what made me buy it. However, after several tries, I have failed to understand how an American band can sound so British. Most of it sucks. I would recommend downloading ATC from Itunes or something and saving your money.… Full Review »
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