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Waterslide, Diving Board, Ladder to the Sky
by
Waterslide, Diving Board, Ladder to the Sky Image
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 13 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 7 Ratings

  • Summary: The third full-length release for British indie rock quartet Porridge Radio was co-produced by Tom Carmichael with the band's own singer Dana Margolin and drummer Sam Yardley.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. The Quietus
    May 23, 2022
    90
    The dark alchemy of Waterslide – named after one of the art-pieces Margolin painted during lockdown – ultimately flows from the manner in which it slithers under the skin even as it engages with that part of your monkey brain that enjoys a zinging pop song. ... As with much else here, the moment is beautiful and ugly and extraordinary.
  2. DIY Magazine
    May 18, 2022
    90
    There’s something invigorating about how audibly Porridge Radio stare their demons head on, step up to the plate and turn them into something big and ambitious and beautiful.
  3. The Line of Best Fit
    May 18, 2022
    90
    Waterslide, Diving Board, Ladder To The Sky is a brilliantly crafted album. Stylistically, all 12 tracks feel brilliantly stitched together, and the album as a whole is a complete standout for Porridge Radio as a band.
  4. Exclaim
    May 18, 2022
    80
    Porridge Radio delight in these universal growing pains that ultimately reveal a greater vulnerability, born of not having it all figured out yet. As such, WDBLTTS is a natural next step on the road to nowhere.
  5. AllMusic
    May 20, 2022
    80
    With a title partly inspired by a surrealist collage by Eileen Agar and partly by the Biblical Jacob's Ladder, it was produced by Tom Carmichael, Porridge Radio drummer Sam Yardley, and singer and songwriter Dana Margolin, who continues to evoke artists like Sarah Mary Chadwick and Torres here with her raw and passionate vulnerability.
  6. New Musical Express (NME)
    May 19, 2022
    80
    Porridge Radio are sharpening their craft, but they’re not pretending anything’s any easier, and that’s what makes them such a uniquely compelling band.
  7. Mojo
    May 18, 2022
    60
    Dana Margolin isn't just reckoning with a break-up, but a near-total collapse in its wake. ... Yet the prettiness somehow makes listening feel more voyeuristic. [Jul 2022, p.92]
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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. jmharps
    Sep 3, 2022
    9
    Waterslide is a worthy successor to Every Bad that even manages to outdo its predecessor. Although sadness infuses virtually every song on theWaterslide is a worthy successor to Every Bad that even manages to outdo its predecessor. Although sadness infuses virtually every song on the album, I feel uplifted, rather than depressed by the end of the album. The opening song Back to the Radio describes the breakdown of a relationship, but frontperson Dana Margolin describes the song as cathartic. From her repeated instance that she does not want to be loved on Birthday to the description of an ex lover clearing the gunk form her heart to make room for the light in Flowers, Margolin's songs are filled with Cure-like self loathing and desperation. The album reaches a crescendo on Rip where Margolin sings about throwing a relationship away before it went bad on top on a buzzing guitar. The title song provides a fadeout for the album telling us that Margolin doesn't want the end or the beginning. And yet, after listening to the detritus from Margolis' heart, I want to go back into her world again as soon as possible.… Expand
  2. All_ButTrU4
    May 20, 2022
    6
    On "every bad" they wore their heart on their sleeves but on WDBLTTS they are less open,more jaded. Straight off of the anthemic opener "backOn "every bad" they wore their heart on their sleeves but on WDBLTTS they are less open,more jaded. Straight off of the anthemic opener "back to the radio" they announce their isolation like breaking news, it's only the beginning . The songs cover similar themes to 2020's stellar debut but with more emotional distance which can unfortunately reduce the impact of some of it's lesser tracks. The production is still noteworthy but doesn't challenge it's own status quo . Overall this is a good record with ok songs,that given time could improve.… Expand

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