The Isness
by The Future Sound of London
Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. E! Online
    83
    Through it all they keep it both consistent (without being same-y) and experimental (without being disorienting).
  2. Almost Cool
    80
    Interestingly enough, the group manages to pull most of it off, but not without some stops into new-age and downright silly territory.
  3. Pitchfork
    80
    It's jaw-dropping, certainly, and what's more, it actually works.
  5. Billboard
    80
    Sweepingly beauteous and mesmerizingly rhythmic, The Isness offers pleasures equally suited to explorers of dancefloors or headphones.
  6. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    FSOL fans may not be impressed. But for connoiseurs of sprawling, loony progtronica, this other-worldly masterpiece is so far out you need a telescope to see it.
  7. Mojo
    70
    A big, bold, brazen statement, epic in places, charmingly flawed in others. [Sep 2002, p.110]
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  8. Uncut
    70
    What continually redeems this acid flashback to a more well-meaning era is its endlessly metamorphosing soundscape, its kaleidoscope washes of virtual psychedelia. [Oct 2002, p.101]
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  9. PopMatters
    60
    This is a fascinating record that doesn't quite work in all places and, in others, seems to work all too well, and maybe too well for their own good.
  10. Mixer
    60
    Its simple structures create memorable and identifiable songs. [Sep 2002, p.76]
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  11. Q Magazine
    40
    It's the songs which seal The Isness's fate. [Sep 2002, p.100]
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  12. AllMusic
    40
    It's ironic that 30 years later, a record like this could make psychedelia seem as curmudgeonly as rock & roll seemed then.
  13. Urb
    30
    Once you're name-checking Supertramp and ELO as major influences, it's pretty much over. [Aug 2002, p.114]
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Awards & Rankings

90
#90 Most Discussed Album of 2002

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 11
  3. Negative: 2 out of 11
  1. MarkP
    Feb 22, 2006
    10
    If all music was the same I would get bored. So when a brilliant group changes their direction and it works, well, bravo!!!!! This is bloody If all music was the same I would get bored. So when a brilliant group changes their direction and it works, well, bravo!!!!! This is bloody great. One of those albums that needs to be listened to more than once, but once it clicks, it's SEX.… Full Review »
  2. MarkussX
    Feb 25, 2005
    8
    FSOL's "The Isness" comes as something rather new and different from the band's earlier work. A mix of 90's-like electronic FSOL's "The Isness" comes as something rather new and different from the band's earlier work. A mix of 90's-like electronic backbone and hippie and disco effects...The guitar sound is fantastic and the Richard Ashcroft-like psychedelic vocals are "hypnotic". Garry Cobain and Brian Dougans have my utmost respect… Full Review »
  3. SeanT
    Feb 9, 2004
    4
    I already know that FSOL are very good at music, I have Lifeforms. I bought this album because I thought it would amaze me in the same way I already know that FSOL are very good at music, I have Lifeforms. I bought this album because I thought it would amaze me in the same way their ealier stuff did. As far as I can see this album is partyly a joke, partly to keep the money coming in, and partly an exercise in Cobain's ego saying 'look at me I'm so clever I could easily have done what the Beatles and Pink Floyd did in the 60's if I had been around then'. Yes this is excellently crafted psychedlic pop, but I'd much rather have spent my money on some of the FSOL back catalouge that I don't already have on CD than this.… Full Review »
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