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Soft Metals Image
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

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  • Summary: This is the debut full-length release for the Portland, Oregon, electronic duo.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 9
  2. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Sep 8, 2011
    80
    The engagement with dance music and half-improvised feel lends it an irresistible forward momentum, something that picks up pace throughout the album to exhilarating effect; the album's second half in particular creates a disconcerting sensation of constant acceleration, until it finally collapses into its closing throes and falls away.
  2. Aug 11, 2011
    75
    The album's use of analogue synths isn't a regression, but an attempt to find a new way forward.
  3. Sep 13, 2011
    70
    With the exception of a few standout tracks, on one hand we are not engaged with memorable melodies that would lean the album toward the poppier side of 80s synth and its contemporary revival; but on the other, there is not enough complexity here to engage the deconstructive pleasure characteristic of long-form dance music.
  4. Aug 11, 2011
    60
    This is almost background music (think synth meets krautrock meets disco meets industrial), music to wash the dishes to or fold clothes or, simply music to dance to (that is probably what the band wants) and in that sense it is perfect for a darkened club where the only thing to do is dance (no drinking or fucking allowed).
  5. Uncut
    Sep 14, 2011
    60
    It's all rather tasteful and familiar, though, and a few jagged edges might snare passers-by. [Oct 2011, p.98]
  6. Aug 11, 2011
    60
    While it's obvious that Hicks and Hall know their way around both sound- and songcraft, they rarely--if ever--use those skills to sound like anything but a band even the most casual synth-pop fan would be familiar with.
  7. Sep 23, 2011
    50
    A good start to your evening--but certainly not capable of carrying the whole night.

See all 9 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of
  2. Mixed: 0 out of
  3. Negative: 0 out of