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When I Have Fears
by
When I Have Fears Image
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 12 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 16 Ratings

  • Summary: The debut full-length release for the Irish post-punk band was produced by Flood.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. The Guardian
    Aug 16, 2019
    100
    It’s an outstanding debut from a great new band who play it like they mean it.
  2. DIY Magazine
    Aug 16, 2019
    90
    It’s early to say, and its bold for sure, but there are a fair few legendary bands out there that were never quite as good as The Murder Capital are right now.
  3. The 405
    Aug 23, 2019
    85
    With more than enough flagrant energy to satiate the average punk, The Murder Capital—still—is most affecting through its delicate and understatedly sad musings on life and death. In fact, the rest of the record sees the band tap into poetic introversion that is both broad enough to latch onto, yet intimate enough to impress your own experiences and fears.
  4. Q Magazine
    Aug 13, 2019
    80
    A debut album of rare potency. [Sep 2019, p.115]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. New Musical Express (NME)
    Aug 14, 2019
    80
    There’s plenty of furious bluster on the record – vocalist James McGovern sounds incensed on ‘More Is Less’, and ‘Feeling Fades’ remains a razor-sharp torrent of feeling – but maybe its most interesting moments come in the slow-burns.
  6. Uncut
    Aug 13, 2019
    80
    Lyrically, The Murder Capital are less direct than Idles and Fontaines, but musically they're more expansive, bringing a brooding brain-twisting gothic feel. [Sep 2019, p.30]
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  7. Mojo
    Aug 13, 2019
    60
    A first strike of the match before they burn their own path forward. [Sep 2019, p.94]
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See all 12 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. humdrumblue
    May 29, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Absolutely brilliant album from start to finish. One of the best of 2019 for sure!… Expand
  2. Kanser
    Aug 16, 2019
    10
    Fantastic debut album from the Irish lads. You can hear the obvious influences of Joy Division, New Order and The Cure but there are subtleFantastic debut album from the Irish lads. You can hear the obvious influences of Joy Division, New Order and The Cure but there are subtle references to Tom Waits and even Leonard Cohen. Their journey as an exciting band is just about to start, it will be interesting to see where they go..… Expand
  4. JBBu
    Dec 28, 2019
    9
    I stumbled on 4 amazing new bands this year - all post punk to varying degrees, all from Dublin… and all fantastic (this one, the DCI stumbled on 4 amazing new bands this year - all post punk to varying degrees, all from Dublin… and all fantastic (this one, the DC Fontaines, the Girl Band, and Just Mustard). joy division notwithstanding,, all have a clear affinity to Nick Cave/Birthday Party. This one perhaps owes more of a debt to Birthday Party (and its adjunct groups such as Crime and the City Solution) than the rest. ...Those baritones, the feedback and lyrical delivery. The vocals on "Love, Love, Love" appear almost to be a convincing cover of Birthday Party’s “Fear of Guns”. What a great find!… Expand
  5. Ricko
    Jan 15, 2023
    9
    It's very rare I give full marks for an album and even rarer for a debut. Initially, I did award this ones the five stars and I still think itIt's very rare I give full marks for an album and even rarer for a debut. Initially, I did award this ones the five stars and I still think it is one of the most substantial debuts I've heard in years. 3 years on it sounds a bit more ordinary and owe alot more to their influences than I first thought but it's still a 9/10 for now. The songs are not just really good, they are weighty nd substantial as well. The bands influences are worn on their sleeves. Ireland/UK of the late 70s early 80s comes to mind (the best bits of the likes of Joy Division, U2, Echo and the Bunny Men are taken and given a modern distillation). I don't buy into criticism of the current post punk revival happening as all music is cyclical. At this point, absolutely everything out there has been done before and its more a case of whether you've heard it or not. "When I have Fears" is one of the albums of the year and I predict it will top many an end of year list. I was lucky enough to catch these guys launch the album last week in Cork and they were superb live. I was surprised to just how well the live sound transferred to the recorded product. Go see them if you get the chance but definitely check this out. It gets better with each listen. The word intense stays with me.… Expand
  6. manonwire40
    Nov 12, 2021
    9
    A band who successfully transfer their live persona to the record. It is haunting, instant and shows off a band where every syllable utteredA band who successfully transfer their live persona to the record. It is haunting, instant and shows off a band where every syllable uttered is important and plays its part.… Expand
  7. communihilist
    Aug 16, 2019
    8
    One of the most beautiful, vital, expansive debut albums from an Irish band in years.

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93
#93 Best Album of 2019

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