User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info
Smote Reverser Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 27 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the second full-length release for the Thee Oh Sees under its shortened name.
Buy Now
Buy on
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 18
  2. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Aug 17, 2018
    90
    Smote Reverser is undeniably an Oh Sees record, with all 20 years of the band's history coming through every note played and sung, but it feels like a huge step into something new that's sure to be just as exciting and unpredictable.
  2. Aug 17, 2018
    83
    Smote Reverser, the group’s 21st album, picks up the proggy, kraut-flavored vibes of 2017’s Orc and pushes even further into the cosmos. ... The longer Oh Sees go, the more wicked they get.
  3. Aug 10, 2018
    80
    There’s enough going on in the grooves of Smote Reverser to satisfy your psych and/or prog urges for the foreseeable future, let alone in the few months it’ll take Dwyer to follow it up.
  4. Uncut
    Aug 10, 2018
    80
    This is mature work. It's confident in what it is--and as seems likely, what it will turn into next. [Sep 2018, p.27]
  5. Classic Rock Magazine
    Aug 24, 2018
    80
    Dwyer has led us into yet another musical sphere, one that's proggier, perplexing and ripe for exploration. [Sep 2018, p.89]
  6. Aug 24, 2018
    70
    Like last year’s Orc, their 21st album (and second with their current lineup) spills off into other parts of the Sixties and Seventies.
  7. Aug 14, 2018
    50
    By the album’s end, they seem to be stuck in a cul-de-sac. The next album, one hopes, will come along soon and help them out.

See all 18 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Aug 20, 2018
    10
    Oh Sees at their absolute best, this album finally shows off the lofty heights that the last three full-lengths have been gesturing towards.Oh Sees at their absolute best, this album finally shows off the lofty heights that the last three full-lengths have been gesturing towards. Long expansive jams, thrillingly fresh riffs, just total brilliance. Unquestionably joins the upper pantheon of Oh Sees records, so glad that Dwyer is still capable of writing material like this. Collapse
  2. Aug 25, 2018
    10
    I agree with the previous reviews, this is fantastic. This is one of their best albums, I think.
  3. Aug 19, 2018
    10
    Incredible album, stays true to the classic "Oh Sees" sound while exploring new areas of punk, prog- rock & blues. Very happy with thisIncredible album, stays true to the classic "Oh Sees" sound while exploring new areas of punk, prog- rock & blues. Very happy with this release overall. Expand
  4. Aug 20, 2018
    8
    Another very solid Oh Sees album. Overthrown in particular is a wonderful smack in the face and the rest of the album is great as well. ThereAnother very solid Oh Sees album. Overthrown in particular is a wonderful smack in the face and the rest of the album is great as well. There are, as usual, quite a few enjoyable psychedelic jams too. It's a bit longer than usual, but it's a fun listen from start to finish. Expand
  5. Jan 4, 2019
    7
    It's a pretty good immediate listen, however after a few listens, some tracks are too long while one is too short, and even a couple are soIt's a pretty good immediate listen, however after a few listens, some tracks are too long while one is too short, and even a couple are so ambitious musically it was dang near impossible for the music to be matched melodically with great songs. But overall there are about 5-6 strong finished/perfected tracks. Expand