Where Have You Been All My Life?
by Villagers
  • Record Label: Domino
  • Release Date: Jan 8, 2016
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
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  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 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 lacksSuch 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.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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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
  1. Drowned In Sound
    Jan 25, 2016
    60
    Ultimately, while the record will prove to be an enjoyable distraction for ardent fans, it’s hard to shake the feeling that these revamps might have been better saved for the live setting.
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  2. 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.
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  3. 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.
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