Sympathy for Life
by Parquet Courts
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Ricko
    Jun 14, 2022
    7
    The opening track had me psyched but it was very much a mixed bag after that for me. Some really interesting pieces and definitely an album that grows on you the more you listen to it but there are still too many dubious tracks that don't really go anywhere. As much as anything else, "Sympathy for Life" suffers due to the fact that it follows the excellent "Wide Awake". Fans of that albumThe opening track had me psyched but it was very much a mixed bag after that for me. Some really interesting pieces and definitely an album that grows on you the more you listen to it but there are still too many dubious tracks that don't really go anywhere. As much as anything else, "Sympathy for Life" suffers due to the fact that it follows the excellent "Wide Awake". Fans of that album probably won't find what they are looking for here.… Expand
  2. Bernard1965
    Nov 11, 2021
    8
    This is one of my favorite records of 2021. Right from the start with the excellent opener Walking at a Downtown Pace the album gets off to a strong start. Sympathy for Life is one of those albums where some songs maybe better than others but there is really no outright clunkers on here. Another strong showing by the Parquet Courts.
  3. minhthuann
    Nov 1, 2021
    9
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  4. Muzmarinator
    Oct 29, 2021
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Maybe not quite as engaging and essential as Human Behaviour or Wide Awake, but this album is a grower - and after 4 or 5 listens it’s creeping up on me. Still great lyrics, but not with the shock of the new or immediacy that accompanied earlier releases. The beats and grooves are new, but the chops are familiar. I suspect time might be kind to this one though.… Expand
  5. SherlockKiweez
    Oct 23, 2021
    10
    This album is great. The dance and electronic influenced tracks are very refreshing to their sound and give the album a unique feel overall. Without a doubt there is not a single bad track here. Even at its "worst" (imo: Application/Apparatus) the record still remains interesting by introducing new elements. I especially recommend the tracks Sympathy for Life, Just Shadows and PulcinellaThis album is great. The dance and electronic influenced tracks are very refreshing to their sound and give the album a unique feel overall. Without a doubt there is not a single bad track here. Even at its "worst" (imo: Application/Apparatus) the record still remains interesting by introducing new elements. I especially recommend the tracks Sympathy for Life, Just Shadows and Pulcinella for those who havent heard it yet. I was simply amazed by this album… Expand
  6. Segundoleo26
    Oct 22, 2021
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Volvemos a lo mismo parece ser que ahora ya no se trabaja en las líricas y la producción de las canciones y el álbum al final de siente vacío y más de lo mismo termina por aburrir… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Dusted Magazine
    Nov 1, 2021
    70
    There is a lot to like on Sympathy For Life despite its unevenness. Savage A and Brown are acute observers, Savage M and Yeaton a really excellent and versatile rhythm section, the band’s willingness to swing outweighs its misses and when they hit Parquet Courts drop into those dive-y, sweaty clubs we’ve all missed.
    Read full review
  2. Under The Radar
    Oct 26, 2021
    70
    Do they succeed at evolving their sound? The vote is yes. Does it outdo Wide Awake!? The vote is no, but that hardly matters. They’re such different albums that it’s easy to see those more attuned to electronic music digging this far more than rock guys. These guys are such creative songwriters that almost anything they put out is a pleasure to listen to.
    Read full review
  3. Pitchfork
    Oct 25, 2021
    76
    Compared to the rest of their catalogue, Sympathy for Life feels broadly accessible.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »