Strict Joy
by The Swell Season
  • Record Label: Anti
  • Release Date: Oct 27, 2009
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. AllMusic
    90
    Strict Joy is a joy from start to finish, as few bands manage to mix intimacy and sweeping songcraft with such finesse.
  2. Chicago Tribune
    88
    Producer Peter Katis (who has worked with The National and Interpol) ornaments the duo’s foundation--Hansard’s battered acoustic guitar, Irglova’s piano, co-ed harmonies--with nuanced orchestration and a spacious mix that flatters the singers’ interplay.
  3. Billboard.com
    82
    Strict Joy maintains the relatability and sincerity that made the soundtrack to "Once" so compellin
  5. Spin
    80
    Heartache swells from these swooning folk-pop tunes, but the presence of both of the relationship's combatants ensures that they never drown in it.
  6. Alternative Press
    80
    The emotional tension between his folksier-Damien Rice brogue and her crystal-clear lilt, especially on 'The Verb,' keeps the listener enamoured, even if the singers no longer are. [Dec 2009, p.117]
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  7. The A.V. Club
    75
    When Hansard and Irglova keep the arrangements simple, it’s easier to hear who they are.
  8. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    Occasionally, all that lamenting gets nap-inducing. Luckily, Hansard saves some rage for 'Feeling the Pull,' which suggests the best love songs come from those who don't believe in them anymore.
  9. Rolling Stone
    70
    On Strict Joy, the duo deliver with their most dynamic set yet, with hot Irish soul segueing into energetic folk rock and dream-pop-touched balladry.
  10. PopMatters
    70
    These songs aren’t breaking any new ground, but they’re well written and enjoyable, and the background makes them sort of fascinating, too.
  11. Pitchfork
    65
    The tracks don't sound forced or awkward as they follow well-trod lyrical roads littered with wounded "you"s and "I"s, they sound honest, and an honest love song as always is hard to resist.
  12. Under The Radar
    60
    Strict Joy ultimately feels like a great breakup album without the aftermath of an actual breakup. [Fall 2009, p.60]
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 20
  3. Negative: 4 out of 20
  1. SherriM.
    Oct 28, 2009
    10
    I think this CD has some gems: Feeling the Pull, High Horses, Paper Cup, Two Tongues, Love that Conquers. Brilliant song writing and singing.
  2. Ricko
    May 24, 2012
    8
    Having initially brought out the eponymous "The Swell Season", the Frames frontman's side project really took off with their Oscar win forHaving initially brought out the eponymous "The Swell Season", the Frames frontman's side project really took off with their Oscar win for Falling Slowly used in the film Once. Strict Joy is a strange follow up to their debut and the Once soundtrack. It's got much more of a full band sound which they never had before. It kind of gets stuck half way between a Frames record and a Swell Season record which takes from the album. Some of the songs are even old Frames songs first seeing the light of day here. Because it takes tracks from all over the place and has songs written across a period of many years, it has an inconsistent feel for me. It's got some great stuff on it but most of that is when Glen Hansard takes centre stage and drowns out Marketa. Where she made their previous work stand out, she adds very little to the best tracks on this record and the songs where she is prominent are the poorer ones on the album. Glen is bringing out a solo album this year - perhaps he should have held some of this material back for that or for a final Frames record but as it is this record falls between 2 stools for me.… Full Review »
  3. fitchpork
    Oct 23, 2011
    7
    Ok, and worth treasuring since they have gone their separate ways. But go find the first Swell Season album, the one they recorded betweenOk, and worth treasuring since they have gone their separate ways. But go find the first Swell Season album, the one they recorded between filming "Once" and its release when they were still unknown to all but Frames fans.… Full Review »
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