Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 11
  2. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. With Sun Gangs it’s as if they've finished the whole cake and the house burst, bricks and mortar exploding through the sky like fireworks.
  2. The band's relatively quick turnover suggests a restless creative spirit. However Sun Gangs harnesses that to communicate music of a raw emotional power, a record that should open more doors for the band than it closes.
  3. There’s a lot that could go wrong with this approach on Sun Gangs--but nothing does. For all the arch drama, the big rock songs on here are frenzied, and the small indie pop songs are lean and melodic.
  4. Mojo
    80
    The Jeff Buckleyesque epic 'Larkspur' and the desolately pretty 'It Hits Deeper' raise the bar for sensitive creatives everywhere. [May 2009, p.103]
  5. Uncut
    80
    Self-indulgent in all the best ways, their third album isn't afraid to explore an idea for nine minutes, locating that revelatory moment when structure caves into soul. [May 2009, p.105]
  6. Although less vitriolic than 2006's "Nux Vomica," his third album still throbs with delicious melodrama and anguished assertions.
  7. Under The Radar
    70
    Andrews' clear gift for melody is most apparent here. Despite the album's extremes, the most intriguing and engaging track may be 'The House She Lived In.' [Spring 2009, p.68]
  8. Sun Gangs is less a break-up record, and more a "relationship" record, in that it has the ups and downs of a love affair, with moments of joy, boredom, and viciousness sandwiched in closely next to each other. And while that makes for a challenging and complex listen--Andrews has certainly proved to be adept at wringing bitterness or misanthropy from bruised melodies--one can't help but hope that his next relationship is a happy one.
  9. Impressionable singer Finn Andrews masters his Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde routine on the Veils' third disc, splitting time between desolately romantic piano ballads ('Begin Again' and the title track) and dense indie rock detonations.
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 11
  2. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. Oct 9, 2013
    9
    Not quite building on the dizzying heights of Nux Vomica, but nonetheless improving upon some its weakness, Sun Gangs is a much better recordNot quite building on the dizzying heights of Nux Vomica, but nonetheless improving upon some its weakness, Sun Gangs is a much better record than its reviews will account for. It's a little more droll and, well, chill, than NV, but it's much more tuneful and, while lacking the punch of "Jesus For The Jugular", the ease at which they mesmerize with opener "Sit Down By The Fire", closer "Begin Again" & the title track...there's quite a bit of magic here. Full Review »
  2. BenoitG
    Dec 5, 2009
    6
    Very disappointing opus after the Runaway Found, and Nux Vomica, both of which had something special about them, something that made the Very disappointing opus after the Runaway Found, and Nux Vomica, both of which had something special about them, something that made the Veils stand out from any crowd - was it the voice? the guitars? the choruses? the change of rythms? the creativity? the lyrics? Everything in Sun Gangs feels deja vu, and not needed at all - yet it's nice music. Am a big fan of the Veils, but disappointed here. I'll wait for album nb 4! Full Review »
  3. NickN
    Nov 9, 2009
    8
    This band's gift for the melody shines on a diverse range of music on a single album.