Tournament Of Hearts
by The Constantines
  • Record Label: Sub Pop
  • Release Date: Oct 11, 2005
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12

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  1. d
    Oct 17, 2005
    9
    These boys rock, pure and simple. And they deserve to be HUGE. On second thought, no - I'd rather have them stay under the radar and keep making brilliant records. If they can pull off using a single chord for the duration of one entire song, and have said song ROCK like mad, they deserve all the best things in the world, and then some. Very, very good stuff.
  2. AButler
    Oct 14, 2005
    10
    A natural growth and progression. Even the redundant stuff is good.
  3. doctorcrunkenstein
    Oct 20, 2005
    9
    Not their best, but at the risk of sounding cliche, the Constantines at their worst are still a hell of a lot better than most bands at their best. "Windy Road" is the closest they've ever come to a bad song, and almost singlehandedly drags the album down a point. It's hard to recommend this over "Shine A Light" and their self-titled album, both of which are modern classics... Not their best, but at the risk of sounding cliche, the Constantines at their worst are still a hell of a lot better than most bands at their best. "Windy Road" is the closest they've ever come to a bad song, and almost singlehandedly drags the album down a point. It's hard to recommend this over "Shine A Light" and their self-titled album, both of which are modern classics... but at the same time, I can't imagine anyone who picks this up will be disappointed with it.… Expand
  4. jmay
    Oct 11, 2005
    9
    i've found this much more of a grower than their last one, except a couple of the more immediate tracks (like draw us lines). it's tense and down-to-earth. i like how the guitars are often used economically, making the songs seem really tight.
  5. Jables
    Oct 11, 2005
    8
    Not as poppy as Shine The Light, but equally as good. There is more intensity and poinding of the fist but not in a Judas Priest kinda way. Lizaveta needs to be on radio immidiately and Good Enough is a song that can get all the panties on the emo poser chicks.
  6. TomasS
    Dec 31, 2005
    10
    Working class rock'n'roll. Stoical and poignant at the same time. One of the best albums in 2005.

Awards & Rankings

87
#87 Best Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Pitchfork
    76
    It's gentler than its predecessors, relying on sweat and unresolved tension rather than a glorious gutter-poet deluge, though the change is more of subtleties than of substance.
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  2. PopMatters
    50
    Lyrically, Webb and Lambke are as masterful as always, but unfortunately, somebody should have told them to focus more on the actual music, as the actual songwriting is inconsistent at best; for every one track that renews our faith in the band, there's another that shatters our expectations, disappointingly hookless, lifeless songs that just go through the motions.
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  3. Tiny Mix Tapes
    90
    The greatest aspect of Tournament of Hearts is Bry Webb's singing. His voice convinces you of the truth of the emotion and power of his songs.
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