When I Pretend To Fall
by The Long Winters
  • Record Label: Barsuk
  • Release Date: May 6, 2003
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. AllMusic
    80
    The Long Winters get happy on this one, and Roderick's vibrant, newfound confidence as a showman and songwriter allows the Long Winters' sound to finally gel.
  2. Alternative Press
    80
    A pop pin cushion that's incurably catchy, and as prickly as it is pretty. [Jun 2003, p.97]
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  3. Blender
    70
    Brainy, brooding, classically "indie" guitar music. [#16, p.121]
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  5. Magnet
    80
    Basically, he's Bob Dylan in a hoodie. [#59, p.98]
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  6. Mojo
    80
    Heaves with harmonic charm. [Oct 2003, p.111]
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  7. Neumu.net
    60
    This is giddy pop-rock in Technicolor.
  8. Pitchfork
    72
    It's just straight rock and roll, really, and I mean really straight rock and roll.
  9. PopMatters
    80
    When I Pretend To Fall is a mature and nuanced work, full of well-crafted songs and superior musicianship.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. ZachG
    Nov 16, 2005
    10
    One of the best albums of the last five years, hands down. Every song could've been a single.
  2. CheeseMan
    Apr 24, 2005
    10
    This is a perfect album . And Oh , one could go on and on about the guest performances( Ken Strinfellow, Peter Buck, for instance) but there This is a perfect album . And Oh , one could go on and on about the guest performances( Ken Strinfellow, Peter Buck, for instance) but there is no need as John Roderick finally fulfills all that promise from the Western State Huricane days.… Full Review »
  3. BrianH
    Jul 16, 2004
    9
    Great album, and they're fun live too.
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