Stiff
by White Denim
  • Record Label: Downtown
  • Release Date: Mar 25, 2016
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
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  1. jollasapph
    Mar 29, 2016
    8
    Genuinely impressed with how White Denim balances a quality sound at the same time having a lot of fun throughout. Lead vocals from James Petralli are impressive and fun; they're pretty harmonious too. It's a bluesy rock album that's easily accessible, but also contains the right amount of stylistic risks. I love the sweet sounding instrumentation, from the booming guitars throughout toGenuinely impressed with how White Denim balances a quality sound at the same time having a lot of fun throughout. Lead vocals from James Petralli are impressive and fun; they're pretty harmonious too. It's a bluesy rock album that's easily accessible, but also contains the right amount of stylistic risks. I love the sweet sounding instrumentation, from the booming guitars throughout to the plinky, bluesy organ to the beginning of Real Deal Momma. It's also funny how the lyrics (especially on the closing tracks) sound so much like Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys. Anyway, this should be your soundtrack whether you're fixing the fence to driving across the country.

    Best Tracks: 1-8

    Worst Tracks; Thank You    … Expand
  2. buzzlight
    May 3, 2016
    7
    Another solid album by White Denim, although I feel that the guitar-driven tracks are getting a bit monotonous in their catalog. To me, the stand-out song is Take It Easy where James Petralli's vocals are as silky soulful as some of the masters of Motown. If I had a wish for this band, it would be that they would make a throwback soul album, or at least one that puts the vocals front andAnother solid album by White Denim, although I feel that the guitar-driven tracks are getting a bit monotonous in their catalog. To me, the stand-out song is Take It Easy where James Petralli's vocals are as silky soulful as some of the masters of Motown. If I had a wish for this band, it would be that they would make a throwback soul album, or at least one that puts the vocals front and center (see also song Street Joy).… Expand

Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Most Shared Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Slant Magazine
    Apr 5, 2016
    60
    This is the problem with the album's more ambitious tracks: They confuse rather than clarify the band's identity, and sound more like demos than full-fledged songs. ... Still, White Denim manages to slow the pace and discover its soul more than a few times here, most notably on the winking Al Green sendup “Take It Easy (Ever After Lasting Love).”
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  2. Austin Chronicle
    Mar 31, 2016
    89
    White Denim realizes a sound truly its own on Stiff, shaking off whatever nerves that may have lingered after significant lineup change.
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  3. The Observer (UK)
    Mar 28, 2016
    60
    Variety comes in the form of a gently funky soul interlude midway through that highlights the versatility of James Petralli’s voice. But rather than complementing the rest of the album it betrays Stiff’s lack of cohesion.
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