Swing Lo Magellan
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Swing Lo Magellan Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 41 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 92 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: The sixth album for the experimental indie rock band was recorded in Delaware County in New York state and produced by the band's lead singer, Dave Longstreth.
Buy Now
Buy on

Top Track

Just from Chevron
Where she collapses into the shore Pump a light bottle down, ask her for me There a man lay dying in ice gasket had busted out Pinned him like a... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List »
Powered by

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 41
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 41
  3. Negative: 0 out of 41
  1. The A.V. Club
    Jul 10, 2012
    91
    By the dazzlingly innovative and heartfelt record's end, the band has worked in a bit of everything it has to offer, and offered it with winning sincerity.
  2. Beats Per Minute
    Jul 17, 2012
    89
    There is so much to both genuinely appreciate and enjoy on Swing Lo Magellan that it makes you wonder why these have to sometimes be exclusive ways to experience an album.
  3. Drowned In Sound
    Jul 2, 2012
    80
    Swing Lo Magellan, then--deadly serious even at its most eccentric, wilfully awkward even at its most accessible, dense and intricate even at its most freewheeling. Same as it ever was.
  4. The Fly (UK)
    Jul 6, 2012
    80
    It's pretty f***ing awesome.
  5. CMJ
    Jul 12, 2012
    80
    The Dirty Projectors are still fantastic weirdos making fantastically weird music, but Swing Lo Magellan humanizes them by letting you see through to their heartstrings.
  6. cokemachineglow
    Jul 27, 2012
    73
    They have it in them to write great pop music or truly important experimental music, but Dirty Projectors have to decide where they want to end up before they start.
  7. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Jul 10, 2012
    40
    Simply put, the music on Swing Lo can't support its great ideas. To quote Dylan, "a song is anything that can walk by itself." Maybe time will prove me completely and utterly wrong, but as far as I can tell, nothing on Swing Lo walks by itself.

See all 41 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. seantimothy
    Dec 18, 2012
    10
    With this one, David has slowed down the prog elements and made them more digestible for the impatient and unintelligent. What you hear whenWith this one, David has slowed down the prog elements and made them more digestible for the impatient and unintelligent. What you hear when you listen is an ultra advanced musician dumbing down music to the level he feels comfortable doing so, and it is great.… Expand
  2. fredphoesh
    Mar 4, 2021
    10
    One of the best two albums by the most creative band of the century so far.
    Experimental and playful as well as meaningful and challenging at    One of the best two albums by the most creative band of the century so far.
    Experimental and playful as well as meaningful and challenging at times... A delight to listen to.    … Expand
  4. cloudxchamber
    Jul 12, 2012
    9
    A really great followup to what was already a fantastic album, Swing Lo Magellan is quirky, varied and probably the most listenable thing theA really great followup to what was already a fantastic album, Swing Lo Magellan is quirky, varied and probably the most listenable thing the group have ever made, even though they haven't lost any of the individuality and delicate craftsmanship that made past efforts so good. Blissfully weird and epic-sounding cuts "About to Die" and "See What She Seeing" that would sit perfectly in a playlist next to "Useful Chamber" or "Temecula Sunrise", are contrasted on the album with such minimal, beautifully written songs as the sugary "The Socialites" and the folksy title track. All in all, while it may not be an album that showcases Dave Longstreth's eccentric songwriting to its full extent, it does something even harder: it condenses all its elements into a collection that is both very accessible and likeable from the first listen.… Expand
  5. Joeast12
    Jul 19, 2012
    9
    It took a few listens but this album really grew on me, and now I love it. I wasn't a huge fan of Bitte Orca, but i will probably go back andIt took a few listens but this album really grew on me, and now I love it. I wasn't a huge fan of Bitte Orca, but i will probably go back and give it another listen after learning to really appreciate what they did on this album.… Expand
  6. idiotwind
    Jul 11, 2012
    9
    More approachable than Bitte Orca, but just as carefully crafted. This album's pleasantness does not detract from its artistry, and itsMore approachable than Bitte Orca, but just as carefully crafted. This album's pleasantness does not detract from its artistry, and its artistry does not impede its pleasantness. Hardcore Dirty Projectors fans may need a couple extra spins to appreciate the changes in Longstreth's songwriting, but this is a truly excellent album.… Expand
  7. jmcpIII
    Aug 12, 2012
    8
    Really great album. The Dirty Projectors kinda switched out the adventurous nature of Bitte Orca for some straight up pop songs. TheReally great album. The Dirty Projectors kinda switched out the adventurous nature of Bitte Orca for some straight up pop songs. The harmonies, squiggly guitar, and quirky percussion are still there though not as daring and bold as previous efforts. They still do it better than anyone else in the game so they really only have themselves to beat but clearly they weren't out to make another Bitte Orca so don't hold it against them. The playfulness on songs like "Unto Caeser" is refreshing and the general sing-along tone of the album is communicated through David Longstreth's undeniable knack for melody. Even in the quite moments like "Impregnable Question" and "Irresponsible Tune" Longstreth shows that hes not above cryptic lyrics and intricate instrumentation all the time. The album cover is also the best of the year so far and displays quite a funny scenario. I feel the caption should read "yeah were in a rock band..ya know...with guitars and stuff".… Expand
  8. axelkoch
    Dec 22, 2012
    5
    I found songwriter David Longstreth's explanation to almost every song of this album on RapGenius.com and this dude is saying pretty muchI found songwriter David Longstreth's explanation to almost every song of this album on RapGenius.com and this dude is saying pretty much always "I'm not sure what I want to say with it; I can't really explain it; I don't know; etc." And I'm just thinking what the hell I should think of this CD now. I don't know what he wants to tell me with the lyrics and he doesn't know either. Their style is good and partly, when I get the meaning of the songs, it's also very nice to listen to. But if I don't get the lyrics I'm confused and additionally their kind of music is a very strange one. The songs don't touch me and the lyrics often seem meaningless. But half of the songs are still quite nice.… Expand

See all 9 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

52
#52 Most Shared Album of 2012

Current Music Releases

Full List »
100 Live and Dangerous [Super Deluxe Edition] - Thin Lizzy
94 Desire, I Want To Turn into You - Caroline Polachek
91 Live at the Whisky 1977 [Box Set] - Cheap Trick
91 Travel - The Necks
90 S.O.S. - SZA
90 Manzanita - Shana Cleveland
90 False Lankum - Lankum
90 the record - boygenius
90 Maps - billy woods
89 That! Feels Good! - Jessie Ware
89 Rat Saw God - Wednesday
88 12 - Ryuichi Sakamoto
88 Angel Numbers - Hamish Hawk
88 Blómi - Susanne Sundfør
88 Wait Til I Get Over - Durand Jones
87 Everything Harmony - The Lemon Twigs
87 Indigo - RM
87 The Bootleg Series, Vol. 17: Fragments - Time Out of Mind Sessions 1996-1997 - Bob Dylan
87 Honky Château [50th Anniversary Edition] - Elton John
87 The Songs of Bacharach & Costello [Super Deluxe Edition Box Set] - Elvis Costello
All Current Music »