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Twisted Tenderness
by
Twisted Tenderness Image
Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 15 Ratings

  • Summary: The third release from the project that now features New Order's Bernard Sumner and former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
  1. AllMusic
    80
    Certainly a vast improvement from their sophomore effort... what makes Twisted Tenderness so vibrant is how Electronic placated their lushness for more of a moody demeanor, mysteriously similar to the likes of U2's electric distortion found on 1997's Pop.
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    Electronic, if not exactly rejuvenated, are rewired, recharged and, really quite good again.
  3. CDNow
    70
    The album is haunted by echoes from both Marr and Sumner's past lives, which dates it a bit. But the duo shows a rare aggressive side on the album, which crackles with attitude even while indulging Sumner's moony, depressive lyrics.
  4. Sonicnet
    50
    Twisted Tenderness hits its turning point on the title track (RealAudio excerpt), a solitary, surefire progressive-house hit that recalls the Pet Shop Boys' 1999 album, Nightlife. From that point the album's energy improves considerably -- so there's the twist: It's not new, but it's improved.
  5. Q Magazine
    40
    The results, although respectable, were never going to ignite anything like their former glories.
  6. The A.V. Club
    30
    The occasional brush with former glory, such as "Vivid" and the title track, isn't enough to make up for the eager-to-please inadequacies of the other material.

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. AlainP.
    Nov 19, 2001
    10
    One of the 10 albums I'd take with me on a desert island. This is pop craftmanship at its best. I LOVE this album. I'm a musician, One of the 10 albums I'd take with me on a desert island. This is pop craftmanship at its best. I LOVE this album. I'm a musician, I know what I'm talking about... negative critics come from deaf people… Expand
  2. LaurenG.
    Nov 16, 2001
    10
    Ive had this album for over a year and still play it constantly. The hooks are infectious, and ive yet to get tired of them. The songs take Ive had this album for over a year and still play it constantly. The hooks are infectious, and ive yet to get tired of them. The songs take you on an engaging roller coaster ride of bright swirls and crisp, yet meandering acoustic loops (marr), and are wonderfully complimented with tension buildup from sumner's terse, british lyric delivery. Theres some harmonica, and more aggressive guitar in some spots that keeps it interesting. My favorite would have to be 'When Shes Gone'. I heard a snippet of it, and couldnt get it out of my head. It drove me crazy until i finally tracked down the uk release from 99'. Best cd money spent in a long time. Love it, love it, love it!… Collapse
  4. .
    Jul 5, 2007
    10
    absolutely l brilliant best album saved for last
  5. AhmadA.
    Jan 29, 2002
    10
    Fantastic album. The best Electronic / New Order album to date, only excelled by New Order?s Get Ready. Moves on from the highly synthetic Fantastic album. The best Electronic / New Order album to date, only excelled by New Order?s Get Ready. Moves on from the highly synthetic (but nevertheless pleasant sounding) debut album ?Electronic? and the subsequent Raise The Pressure to a much harder, rockier sound without loosing the sense of rhythm which appeals to me so much. Make it Happen with it heavy synth and guitar riffs is the highlight of the album followed by Prodigal Son, which is perhaps a bit too raucous, but features some brilliant guitar playing. Tales off a little towards the end with tracks which appear to carrying a ?message?. Awful cover picture, quite likely to put first time buyers off, one does wonder what the reasoning behind it was. I would have knocked off a mark if the quality of the actual music had not been as good as it is. … Expand
  6. CarlS
    Jun 26, 2004
    10
    All of Electronic's album work is essential, but this is their best work. I loved this so much I got the deluxe version as well, an All of Electronic's album work is essential, but this is their best work. I loved this so much I got the deluxe version as well, an absolutely unmissable collection of melody and rythm.… Expand
  7. GeorgeG
    Oct 14, 2006
    10
    My point of view - very good music!!!
  8. MacM
    May 12, 2004
    9
    Carries more swagger and bombast than any full album either Marr or Sumner have been involved in to date. And the closer, Flicker is an Carries more swagger and bombast than any full album either Marr or Sumner have been involved in to date. And the closer, Flicker is an incredible way to finish any album. Much more substance than Ease the Pressure. Highly recommended!… Expand

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