Tales From Turnpike House
by Saint Etienne
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 29
  3. Negative: 4 out of 29

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  1. RobertH
    Jan 26, 2006
    8
    The import is worth getting for the bonus cd.
  2. CoMon
    Jun 23, 2005
    10
    I couldn´t stop listening it... and smiling
  3. CalvinHobbes
    Jun 30, 2005
    9
    This is the album for my next lazy days on a beach in the southest italian island... (I also bought Cooder's Chavez Ravine: wonderful).
  4. bartvanl
    Jun 17, 2005
    10
    Saint Etienne = pure pop perfection !
  5. [Anonymous]
    Jun 17, 2005
    10
    the greatest after a decade
  6. seane
    Jun 19, 2005
    10
    glistening, amazing, shivering!!!!
  7. FrantisekS
    Jun 21, 2005
    9
    7 words... I'm in love with Sarah Cracknell:)
  8. DuncanM
    Jun 23, 2005
    10
    This is the sound of London on a sunny holiday weekend. This is such a happy, cool, charming record. It makes me smile every time I listen to it.
  9. WayneF
    Jul 12, 2005
    8
    Stanley and Wiggs give me the horn.
  10. CindyS
    Jan 31, 2006
    9
    The UK release was great but the just-released US version on Savoy Jazz is even better. The album's low point "Relocate" was smartly dropped and 3 songs were added - all which are 1st rate St. Etienne. "Sound of Water" will probably always be my favorite record by them, but the US version of "Turnpike House" is just as excellent. The best album I have heard in months.
  11. KipK
    Feb 26, 2006
    9
    One of my favorite bands, their music transcends sound only, their music is really about the way it makes you think and the feelings it evokes. A true soundtrack album. Not a lot of filter, some true gems including Stars Above Us, Sun In My Morning and Side Streets. A return to form after the stumble that was Finisterre.
  12. ToddR
    Feb 7, 2006
    4
    Stiff, stodgy, and heavily dated, this album is perfect proof that they should've retired years ago.
  13. JeffT
    Apr 10, 2006
    9
    I admit, TFTH is not an easy listen. But oh, did it ever grow on me (Ok, well not the bizaare "Relocate" -- thank GOD it was removed from US version)!! Now it's one of my favorite albums of the year!
  14. BenS
    Oct 23, 2005
    10
    I bought Foxbase Alpha as a 15 year old in 1991, and now with this album they come up with a track like Teenage Winter that leaves me yearning to be back in that moment. This album is stunning and, I think, their best. Hope it's not the last.
  15. jasons
    Jun 17, 2005
    10
    fantastic pop cd! what good pop should be like in 2005.
  16. ElectroPioneer
    Jun 21, 2005
    9
    Life as we, 30something, knows it :) Lightning can (still) strike twice for us...
  17. RickO
    Aug 26, 2005
    10
    Their best. 'Nuff said.
  18. JasonL
    Jan 31, 2006
    9
    Very good, very smooth with a couple of standouts. Q Magazine should be dumped from Metacritic. Who writes this drivel?
  19. JaimeZ
    May 23, 2006
    10
    With any dubt about it, this is the first conceptual album from Saint Etienne and the best. Ethereal, danceable, nocturnal.
  20. GaryW
    Dec 19, 2005
    10
    As usual Q Magazine talk a load of crap and nowadays are not very good at reviewing.. St Etiennes best album yet

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 22
  3. Negative: 1 out of 22
  1. Playlouder
    80
    Their most contemporarily relevant and best album since 'Fox Base Alpha.'
    Read full review
  2. Drowned In Sound
    60
    Overall the LP falters too often.
    Read full review
  3. musicOMH.com
    90
    This is gorgeous record that starts great and gets better with each additional hearing.
    Read full review
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