Tales From Terra Firma
by Stornoway
  • Record Label: 4AD
  • Release Date: Mar 19, 2013
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
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  1. The Guardian
    Mar 7, 2013
    100
    Stornoway make unconvincing space rockers--but that's the only caveat about a triumphantly expansive album.
  2. The Independent on Sunday (UK)
    Mar 11, 2013
    80
    [Tales from Terra Firm] ought to be the one that separates the Oxford quartet from the indie-folk bandwagon and kicks them a few steps up the ladder to being Mumfords-sized.
  3. The Observer (UK)
    Mar 11, 2013
    80
    It's an ambitious step forward for the band (who hail from Oxford, not the Outer Hebrides) and, though only 44 minutes long, it feels like a bit of an epic.
  5. Mojo
    Mar 7, 2013
    80
    A substantial and richly evocative work. [Apr 2013, p.89]
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  6. musicOMH.com
    Mar 7, 2013
    80
    Stornoway have boldly struck out and in doing so have navigated the often choppy waters of the second album with panache.
  7. AllMusic
    Mar 19, 2013
    70
    A collection of songs that are both ardent and humble.
  8. New Musical Express (NME)
    Mar 11, 2013
    70
    It’s still occasionally a bit too ‘nice’ for its own good, but in a cynical world, sometimes a little hope and buoyancy doesn’t go amiss.
  9. DIY Magazine
    Mar 8, 2013
    70
    Tales From Terra Firma offers a richer, fuller sound than the debut album and some tracks are tinged with an ever-so-gentle coating of sobriety and growing maturity but the important components of melody and subtlety are relatively unchanged.
  10. Uncut
    Mar 7, 2013
    70
    Awash in plump brass, grainy mandolin and fuzzy warm electric piano, this solid second edges deeper into Fleet Foxes territory. [Apr 2013, p.78]
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  11. Q Magazine
    Mar 12, 2013
    60
    There are eager minds at work here. [Apr 2013, p.110]
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  12. Drowned In Sound
    Mar 7, 2013
    60
    For all its many laudable attributes, Tales from Terra Firma proves ultimately frustrating: a skilled, capable and talented band still unaware of how best to channel and control their creative energies.
  13. Magnet
    Apr 16, 2013
    55
    Tales From Terra Firma takes them to a more generic realm of sing-along indie rock, which is too bad. [No. 97, p.59]
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  14. Pitchfork
    Apr 3, 2013
    49
    On their second album, Tales from Terra Firma, they continue to be almost crushingly dull, making well-appointed and cheerfully empty music that successfully communicates next to nothing.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
  1. Marcbackman
    Apr 14, 2015
    7
    'Tales From Terra Firma' can be looked at as a continuation of an intriguing evolution from a band that has a LOT of potential to make great'Tales From Terra Firma' can be looked at as a continuation of an intriguing evolution from a band that has a LOT of potential to make great music that is unique to themselves.

    The three tracks in the middle of the album (The Bigger Picture / A Belated Invite to Eternity / Hook, Line, Sinker) justify price of admission for the entire album alone, and nearly 2 years later I am still coming back to these sublime tracks that you can sing along to at the top of your lungs. With their new album just around the corner we can only hope for more signs of the growth of their unique sound.    … Full Review »
  2. Ross93
    Apr 2, 2013
    9
    This is a great album. I really love how Stornaway are progressing. I enjoyed their first album and Tales From Terra Firma is a definite stepThis is a great album. I really love how Stornaway are progressing. I enjoyed their first album and Tales From Terra Firma is a definite step up. You won't be disappointed if you buy this album… Full Review »
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