• Record Label: Island
  • Release Date: Dec 1, 2009
Metascore
57

Mixed or average reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 11
  2. Negative: 2 out of 11
  1. Endicott had a hand in penning the excellent title track from Shakira's new album "She Wolf." Perhaps he can preserve some of that creative spark for his own band's next endeavor.
  2. Someone clinically extracts whatever trace of messy humanity made it through the first time the Bravery worked the nu-wave shtick, on their debut; Stir the Blood is a parodoxically bloodless listen.
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. Mar 31, 2014
    8
    Great album. I do skip a few tracks, they're a little too slow for me but all in all I really like this album. This one is a bit more fuzzed.Great album. I do skip a few tracks, they're a little too slow for me but all in all I really like this album. This one is a bit more fuzzed. Not as raw and clean as the previous two. If you like the previous ones you'll like this one too. Full Review »
  2. May 30, 2012
    10
    Leave your nostalgia goggles at the door, and you will have a good time with this album. People always seem to compare The Bravery to otherLeave your nostalgia goggles at the door, and you will have a good time with this album. People always seem to compare The Bravery to other bands in lower scoring reviews, and I say this: Who cares? This album sounds much more refined than their previous work, and retains the catchy arrangements from their first album. The only difference here, is that it's harder to dance to, because that's what happens when your sources of inspiration for an album are the Joy Division and Depeche Mode. It's darker music, especially Hatef--k and Jack O' Lantern Man, however, overall the songs are not too much darker, but the style of this album is not the same kind of dance music their first album was so successful at being.

    Another fun fact is that among the circles of fans for The Bravery, is that Stir The Blood is generally considered to be their best work. Something to think about if this kind of music really gets you.

    The bottom line is that while I absolutely love this album, if you aren't into this kind of music, Stir the Blood is not going to help you appreciate it more. That being said, if you like this style of music, you would be missing out if you didn't get this album.
    Full Review »