Treble & Tremble
by Earlimart
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. Junkmedia
    70
    A disarmingly beautiful album.
  2. Rolling Stone
    40
    Espinoza's melodies evaporate in a way Smith's never did. [9 Dec 2004, p.180]
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  3. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    Most of Treble & Tremble is about [Smith], making its early-morning melancholy and simple request to "take care of your heart" nothing short of gut-wrenching. [1 Oct 2004, p.74]
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  5. Stylus Magazine
    50
    Precious, effete and insubstantial.
  6. Under The Radar
    50
    It would seem that Earlimart have elected to frequently and blatantly mimic their spaced-out friends Grandaddy... and--to a lesser extent--the tightly wound apartment-rock of The Postal Service and Plus/Minus. [#7]
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  7. Pitchfork
    80
    Treble and Tremble showcases a full array of old-school remedies, from inventive mic'ing and overdubbing to brutal filters and bullhorn distortion a la Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse. If Espinoza sang any better than he does, he'd probably be bored in the studio.
  8. Alternative Press
    60
    Sweet and insubstantial. [Nov 2004, p.140]
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  9. Splendid
    90
    One of the best and most moving albums of the year.
  10. cokemachineglow
    63
    [Espinoza] takes the predictably disappointing low road through fanboyville with cruise-controlled caricatures of one of indie rock’s most deified stars.
  11. Billboard
    80
    Frontman Aaron Espinoza digs deep into the crevice of his broken heart and pulls out arguably his finest batch of songs.
  12. Tiny Mix Tapes
    70
    The style is, in fact, so far from themselves and close to Smith that I'm going to assume this is a one-off mourning effort. If it is, it's worthwhile for anyone moved by Smith's death; but if they make another, it'd be extremely blasphemous.
  13. PopMatters
    30
    Espinoza opts for cheap sentiment beneath layers of grandiose atmospherics.
  14. Delusions of Adequacy
    80
    For an artist who continues to mature and expand, Treble & Tremble may not be his magnum opus, but it is a delightful indie-pop album.
  15. Drawer B
    50
    It’s safe, unobtrusive, and ubiquitously “indie”, if well produced and memorably melodic, at times.
  16. AllMusic
    80
    Some moments are upbeat indie pop, but most of this is dreamy despite its slightly gloomy textures.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Andy
    Aug 16, 2006
    4
    Can anyone say Elliott Smith rip-offs?
  2. JoshH
    Jul 22, 2005
    8
    Earlimart sounds like the bastard child of Air and Elliott Smith, with a couple of other influences thrown in. It's nothing particularly Earlimart sounds like the bastard child of Air and Elliott Smith, with a couple of other influences thrown in. It's nothing particularly new or original, but worth listenting to nonetheless. Earlimart has a strong sense of melody that's worth sticking around for.… Full Review »
  3. JohnC
    Feb 5, 2005
    9
    A wonderful, beautiful ode to Smith. This is a remarkable album, losing points only because at times it sounds to eerialy like Smith. A wonderful, beautiful ode to Smith. This is a remarkable album, losing points only because at times it sounds to eerialy like Smith. Earlimart has got to be one of the up and coming bands that will continue to produce great albums.… Full Review »
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