Where Have You Been All My Life?
by Villagers
  • Record Label: Domino
  • Release Date: Jan 8, 2016
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
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  1. Record Collector
    Jan 22, 2016
    80
    The bleak lyrics are countered by a perky tempo, setting up an interesting tension. If much of the album runs on familiar, well-oiled tracks, The Waves shows what Villagers can achieve when they stretch themselves.
  2. Mojo
    Jan 7, 2016
    80
    The wiry Dubliner is stealthily building a similarly indelible songbook. [Feb 2016, p.92]
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  3. Pitchfork
    Jan 12, 2016
    75
    The drastic acoustic reinterpretation on this album feels like the song’s natural state, the long-building crescendo threatens to swallow the singer before he has finished saying his piece.
  5. musicOMH.com
    Jan 15, 2016
    70
    It is hard to ignore how limited, both musically and lyrically, the Darling Arithmetic tracks sound when played alongside their predecessors. However, despite its limitations, Villagers’ latest LP does succeed in producing some very worthy reinterpretations and weaving them seamlessly together, which is often easier said than done.
  6. Uncut
    Jan 7, 2016
    70
    Conor O'Brien's luminous, emotionally resonant songs suit the warmth and intimacy of a live setting. [Feb 2016, p.84]
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User Reviews

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User Score
6.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Ricko
    Jun 26, 2020
    8
    Such is the quality of this mans songwriting, you can't go wrong with any Villagers release. Here we get a selection of songs from the first 3Such is the quality of this mans songwriting, you can't go wrong with any Villagers release. Here we get a selection of songs from the first 3 albums recorded live in the stripped down style of Villagers 3rd album "Darling Arithmetic". It sounds lovely and such is the precision of the playing that it is hard to believe that these are single take live recordings. So much so that it lacks the energy of a live record but equally loses the magic of the studio versions of the songs. This is a good album in its own context and when you go through it song by song. Having said all of the above, if you have the first 3 albums, then this is not necessary and is really more for completists as there are a few rarities ( the song "Memoir" written for Charlotte Gainsbourg and a lovely cover of Glen Campbells "Wichita Lineman". It's certainly not an entry point for newcomers as many of their best moments are absent but fans of Conor O'Brien will certainly enjoy it.… Full Review »
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