User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Tyranny
by
Tyranny Image
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 89 Ratings

  • Artist(s): Julian Casablancas
  • Summary: The debut release for the rock band led by The Strokes frontman with Jake Bercovici, Alex Carapetis, Jeramy Gritter, Jeff Kite, and Amir Yaghmai was produced by Shawn Everett.
Buy Now
Buy on
  • Record Label: Cult Records
  • Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Indie Rock, New Wave/Post-Punk Revival
  • More Details and Credits »

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Drowned In Sound
    Oct 14, 2014
    100
    It might just be one of those rare treasures which keep us reluctantly, unstoppably, coming back again and again.
  2. Exclaim
    Sep 23, 2014
    80
    While these "in-between areas" are not always sonically pleasant, you can't accuse them of being dull; they make Tyranny the compelling album that it is.
  3. Uncut
    Nov 11, 2014
    70
    A triumphant, ridiculous mess. [Dec 2014, p.73]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. The Line of Best Fit
    Oct 17, 2014
    65
    Tyranny is a fantastically interesting idea, which doesn’t always work as an album, but could make one hell of an installation
  5. American Songwriter
    Oct 20, 2014
    60
    Those willing to take the plunge are likely to find enough here worthy of a future return to explore further and ignore, or more likely respect, its self-indulgent qualities.
  6. AllMusic
    Sep 30, 2014
    60
    Intriguing but muddled, Tyranny puts plenty of musical distance between Casablancas and the Strokes, but too often it lacks the clarity to be anything but challenging in the wrong ways.
  7. Q Magazine
    Oct 3, 2014
    40
    For the majority of Tyranny, it's almost impossible to understand what's going on or why. [Nov 2014, p.121]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 17 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 19
  3. Negative: 3 out of 19
  1. Brickman
    Sep 28, 2014
    10
    You have to take this record for what it is, an experimental attempt to fill the gaps between genres as Julian Casablancas has defined it.You have to take this record for what it is, an experimental attempt to fill the gaps between genres as Julian Casablancas has defined it. It's true that sometimes it feels like there is too much going on but that's the point. If you analyze the lyrics (though job, I know) and listen to the record carefully you'll find a lot of beauty, grotesque beauty perhaps, in it. For certain this is an album that requires us to listen with care if we want to really get it

    I do find myself wishing for some songs not being so noisy and rough, with more clear sound and specially vocals, punk isn't my thing, but I guarantee you that Tyranny has high-quality songwriting on it. You just need to be open minded enough not to panic the first time you listen to it. I would give it an 8 but given the many exaggerated reviews that give it 0s and 1s I'll give it a 10 to compensate a little.    … Expand
  2. mattyg123
    Sep 29, 2014
    10
    A beautiful, messy, post-modern masterpiece. Every song has a moment that has the ability to surprise, awe, and weaken the knees. I have beenA beautiful, messy, post-modern masterpiece. Every song has a moment that has the ability to surprise, awe, and weaken the knees. I have been brought to tears by "Human Sadness" and "Dare I Care" on multiple listens. This is an album that some people will hate, for sure, and I commend JC + the Voidz all the more for it. This is a bold, daring album, full of raw emotion, shocking beauty, and powerful commentary about modern society. Many of this songs require more than one listen to understand - on the 6th or 7th time through the album now, I can honestly say that there is not a single track that does not have some merit. Bravo, Julian and Co. I can't wait to see in you San Francisco.… Expand
  4. nickfont
    Nov 8, 2018
    10
    Hands down the best album I listened to since 2016. Honestly I hated it the first few listens.
  5. Xootie
    Sep 23, 2014
    10
    This is a pure experimental album with many layers in each song. Take it for what it is. Its a refreshing change of pace from what isThis is a pure experimental album with many layers in each song. Take it for what it is. Its a refreshing change of pace from what is 'regular' or normal music. Long live Jules.… Expand
  6. BiscuitBuff
    Dec 8, 2017
    9
    At first this album is hard to digest, it took me a while to fully accept it and start to fall in love with it. This album is insane, itsAt first this album is hard to digest, it took me a while to fully accept it and start to fall in love with it. This album is insane, its experimental, its LOUD. It has beautiful and somber tracks like "Take Me in Your Army" "Human Sadness" and "Off To War.." but it also has super raw and punk songs like "Crunch Punch" "Business Dog" and "Father Electricity". Its is just a huge adventure and an amazing one at that.… Expand
  7. Coneman
    Sep 29, 2014
    9
    At first listen this album comes off as loud, noisy and perhaps too experimental. Once you start to get into it however, the distortionAt first listen this album comes off as loud, noisy and perhaps too experimental. Once you start to get into it however, the distortion becomes natural and contrasts the beautiful, often hidden, melodies in a great way. There are plenty of gems on this album but also a failure or two, which is to be expected given the experimental nature of the album. Personal favorites are "Where no eagles fly", "Johan Von Bronx", "Dare I Care" and the brilliant "Nintendo blood".… Expand
  8. El_Mastero
    Sep 28, 2014
    0
    RubbishRubbish basically..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................… Expand

See all 19 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

60
#60 Most Discussed Album of 2014

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 If I don't make it, I love u - Still House Plants
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
91 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
91 Funeral for Justice - Mdou Moctar
91 Here in the Pitch - Jessica Pratt
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
90 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
89 All Born Screaming - St. Vincent
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
All Current Music »