When I Have Fears
by The Murder Capital
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 16
  3. Negative: 1 out of 16
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. 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 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 ndIt'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
  2. 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 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 theI 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
  3. 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 uttered is important and plays its part.
  4. 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 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..
  5. communihilist
    Aug 16, 2019
    8
    One of the most beautiful, vital, expansive debut albums from an Irish band in years.
  6. 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

Awards & Rankings

93
#93 Best Album of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Under The Radar
    Dec 9, 2019
    70
    When I Have Fears is a hurricane of a debut, hulking, great, and darker than the night sky—while its lyricism may stumble occasionally one is left with a sense of having been through a legitimate, thrilling experience.
    Read full review
  2. AllMusic
    Aug 30, 2019
    80
    The sheer dynamism of When I Have Fears threatens to derail the album, but a dedication to themes makes it cohesive, with the softer moments highlighting the louder counterparts and vice-versa. It's captivating from start to finish, heartbreaking in its delivery, and intense in all the right ways.
    Read full review
  3. musicOMH.com
    Aug 27, 2019
    80
    It’s not simply an album that will leave you resonating with morbid thoughts or feeling a connection with the mundane inevitability of all things life related. Instead, it’s a collection that will make you think for yourself and one that will keep on giving for a considerable time.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »