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Two Hands
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Two Hands Image
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 22 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 60 Ratings

  • Summary: The second release in 2019 for the Brooklyn folk-influenced rock band led by Adrianne Lenker was recorded live.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. The Independent (UK)
    Oct 10, 2019
    100
    Two Hands is Big Thief’s best to date, and undoubtedly one of the best of the year.
  2. Consequence
    Oct 9, 2019
    91
    Capping one of the strongest years a rock band has had in a while, this stands as a crowning achievement, the perfect record to close out a tumultuous decade and lead into one where the damage may be irreversible. Two Hands asks what responsibility each of us have going into the next era, offering no clear answers.
  3. Pitchfork
    Oct 11, 2019
    90
    The more Big Thief zoom in, the more magical they sound.
  4. Clash Music
    Oct 8, 2019
    80
    A raw, primitive nod to the planet we inhabit and our connection to it.
  5. The 405
    Oct 11, 2019
    80
    You can’t say that Two Hands is an overtly hopeful album, but it is far from hopeless. Rather, it is realistic and grounded. Big Thief’s restraint in adding the production wizardry they showcased on U.F.O.F. is a key move to making the songs of Two Hands really hit their mark.
  6. AllMusic
    Oct 10, 2019
    80
    While it's hard to talk about Two Hands in 2019 without the context of the stunning U.F.O.F., the album's quality stands on its own, offering its own grade of intimacy, sound, and feel for alternate moods.
  7. Q Magazine
    Oct 7, 2019
    60
    The main distinction is the relative lack of spellbinding melodies. [Nov 2019, p.108]
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See all 22 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. BocaLevy
    Oct 14, 2019
    10
    I have not been this inspired by an album in a while. Two Hands is truly great! Definitely Big Thief's best work!
  2. Highland92
    Oct 23, 2019
    9
    Big Thief does it again. I can't really find anything t complain about this album. Just like with UFOF, this album is near perfect. Can't waitBig Thief does it again. I can't really find anything t complain about this album. Just like with UFOF, this album is near perfect. Can't wait to see how they progress from here.

    Favorite Tracks: Forgotten Eyes, Two Hands, The Toy, Replaced

    Least Favorite: N/A (if I had to pick one I guess, maybe Wolf)    … Expand
  4. wurdmann
    Oct 11, 2019
    9
    Man is 2019 the year for Big Thief! I like this more than U.F.O.F., and I loved that album.
  5. Ricko
    Nov 6, 2019
    8
    Big Thief somehow manage to release another great album less than 6 months after the amazing "U.F.O.F". "Two Hands" is a different beast andBig Thief somehow manage to release another great album less than 6 months after the amazing "U.F.O.F". "Two Hands" is a different beast and very much a separate album. Big Thief, in their lo fi indie folk world are already pretty stripped down but "Two Hands" is to use Lenker's own words "bare bones". The raw materials that are the songs are left exposed completely to sink or swim. This gives the album quite a vulnerable feel and the listener can feel like they are in the room with the band belting out the songs. It's a brave move from the band and clearly shows an outfit fully confident and aware that they are in a rich vein of form. "U.F.O.F" is one of my favourite albums of 2019 and while I would have to say I prefer it's broader and fuller sound, "Two Hands" is a worthy follow up, even more so considering it comes so hot on its heels. The capture of the live performance is impressive. Perhaps an even better album could have been produced with a bit more breathing room and space between albums but I'm definitely not complaining.… Expand
  6. Unbiasedforreal
    Oct 11, 2019
    8
    The less polished and more raw version of it's counterpart. Lenker sounds a lot more passionate and less dreamy, which creates a sound moreThe less polished and more raw version of it's counterpart. Lenker sounds a lot more passionate and less dreamy, which creates a sound more emotionally resonant. The songs feel more tense in general, but extremely accessisble.… Expand
  7. All_ButTrU4
    Nov 16, 2021
    8
    A restrained raw effort that packs power in it's deceptive simplicity. Bug thief have never sounded so rough. Songs come as hard as classicsA restrained raw effort that packs power in it's deceptive simplicity. Bug thief have never sounded so rough. Songs come as hard as classics and the fantastic career high point "Not" stun with their brilliance. Somehow the modesty gives way to their genius, the soft vocals rubbing against the guitars sandpaper. There's no stunning consecutive three record streak this impressive in so long… Expand
  8. sammyanthony
    Oct 23, 2019
    7
    More restrained and minimal than U.F.O.F., a little bit more acoustic sessions gave soothing and calming environment. Good album overall.

Awards & Rankings

41
#41 Best Album of 2019

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