Twentytwo in Blue
by Sunflower Bean
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. The Observer (UK)
    Mar 26, 2018
    60
    What the album lacks is that corona of curious magic their hero Neil Young calls “the spook”. Fortunately, it doesn’t feel like it’s far away.
  2. Uncut
    Mar 19, 2018
    60
    More of a safe record than a spectacular one. [May 2018, p.35]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Drowned In Sound
    Mar 27, 2018
    40
    Our flower peddlers serve functional rock music, plastic utensils for rudimentary needs, easily disposable and just as easily replaced. And that’s frustrating, for several reasons.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. whoa23
    Mar 26, 2018
    4
    The word that comes to mind when listening to this album is "safe", even with the more political and rebellious nature of the album. TheThe word that comes to mind when listening to this album is "safe", even with the more political and rebellious nature of the album. The songwriting is tighter, but the lack of any real exploration in any of the songs leaves them feeling stale and boring. They sound fine, but they always seem to leave me cold and there isn't really much of a desire to re-listen to this album. Even the more intense, rock and roll songs seem to lack the energy that was found on songs like "Wall Watcher" on their previous LP. The song "I Was A Fool" was a personal highlight for me and the only song I can really see myself listening to regularly. I also dislike the political nature of many of the lyrics. It seems Julia Cummings lacks the lyrical prowess to really convey her thoughts. Many of the lyrics seem forced or even silly and while she's talking about important issues, she doesn't really seem to be saying anything. Overall, this album is alright, I just don't find it nearly as interesting an effort as their last album and I think they've lost a lot of that indie personality that made them attractive in the first place.… Full Review »
  2. ScarTissue1990
    Oct 6, 2018
    8
    A promising sophomore LP from Sunflower Bean. A project I definitely feel I enjoyed and will go back to more so than their debut HumanA promising sophomore LP from Sunflower Bean. A project I definitely feel I enjoyed and will go back to more so than their debut Human Ceremony. This album is full of nostalgic glam rock, psychedelic rock and pop tracks that are beautifully well crafted and produced. Lyrically, I feel is at times a bit lackluster with nothing much to decipher for. But at it's best, Twentytwo in Blue stands up on it's own to be a moderately excellent album in which I admire mostly for it's diversity and production. Album highlights are; "I Was a Fool", "Memoria" and "Any Way You Like"… Full Review »
  3. cloveless
    Aug 30, 2018
    9
    There's a wide spectrum on this album. It gives you a lot to take in. There's some psych, pop, classic rock, and even touches of folkThere's a wide spectrum on this album. It gives you a lot to take in. There's some psych, pop, classic rock, and even touches of folk elements. What Sunflower Bean does best is go between those genres effortlessly. It never feels sloppy. Their choices feel thoughtful and meaningful. After I finished my first listen, I instantly started the album over. I think this album is much stronger than their first in terms of song writing. The topics the band touch on throughout the album have to do with the anxieties of today and the way young people (at the very least these three 22 year olds) feel about the world. "I Was A Fool", "Only A Moment", and "Human For" are my favorite. My one hope is that they can capture their live sound better on recording. I've seen them twice and they are an incredible live band but I don't know if they've totally figured out how to capture that magic just yet. They got closer here than the first album. I'm excited to see what they do next.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »