Almost Cool's Scores

  • Music
For 410 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 40% higher than the average critic
  • 4% same as the average critic
  • 56% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 0.7 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Music review score: 72
Highest review score: 93 You Forgot It In People
Lowest review score: 20 Do The Bambi
Score distribution:
  1. Negative: 6 out of 410
410 music reviews
    • 75 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Serious deep headphone (or loud stereo) listening, this is certainly no toss-off.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 73 Critic Score
    As it stands, Black Sea is a solid, if not entirely groundbreaking.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 68 Critic Score
    Somewhat hit or miss pastiche pop, Parallax Error Beheads You is harder to like that it should be.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 73 Critic Score
    It's true that if you've listened to a lot of kraut music, you've probably heard a fair amount of work like this, but Reinhardt has put together a lovely little release here that's topped off with some great artwork and design.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 63 Critic Score
    A weird little debut, this one has some promising moments.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    In the end, there's a fair amount more musical variety on Fordlandia, but at the same time it doesn't hold quite the emotional resonance that past releases from Johannsson have had, largely because the music on the release feels much more obvious.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Less visceral than "Cryptograms," this follow-up shows two sides of a group that still hasn't quite figured out exactly what they want to be.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 73 Critic Score
    In the end Just A Souvenir isn't quite as consistent as it could be, but it offers a nice new direction that will likely have a bit more staying power.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    There are still some fine moments here, but there's more chaff than usual.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 73 Critic Score
    The group largely plays around in well-established territory melodically and musically, but it's the small twists and slightly more upbeat tempo that make the release feel more exciting than their past efforts.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Weird enough to have an edge, but a huge step up in terms of production and song-writing, this is a big move forward from the group.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 73 Critic Score
    Inconsistent, but charming in places and insanely catchy in others, Everything/Everything presents Simon Bookish as someone to keep an ear out for.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It's still another unique and often-beautiful release from this young artist, but it doesn't feel quite as invigorating as his debut.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 73 Critic Score
    III
    It's perfect for backing music, but has enough going on that you might find yourself seeing mirages as well.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 55 Critic Score
    Woozy and stark, City Of Refuge is one of those releases that never really shifts dynamics too much (there's no rhythm section on the entire album) and feels a bit longer than it actually is.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Mathy, but hyper melodic, it packs more ideas into forty minutes than most releases that are much longer. Stern has clearly side-stepped the sophomore slump.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 68 Critic Score
    There's a lot of great moments here, but is the least consistent album from the group in awhile.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    It's the sort of release that will drive some listeners completely nuts simply because of the construction techniques, but it also powers forward with such a giddy energy that it's hard not to get wrapped up in it.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    It's not always hitting the mark, but over the course of eleven tracks and just under forty minutes, XX Teens certainly show they have some chops to keep an eye on.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    If you've heard any of his previous work (including the fairly recent Night Ripper), you know the modus operandi for Girl Talk, but Feed The Animals is even on another level in terms of sheer density. Because of this, just about everyone who hears it will have different favorite moments that stick out to them, and that's part of the beauty.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you're a fan, there's certainly stuff you'll enjoy here, but if you're looking for them to take another step forward, this might not suffice.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 58 Critic Score
    If the group can somehow capture the more experimental and even odd edge of their different mixes, I think they might have something going. When they're just doing their thing, they simply sound like far too many other bands that are just trying to milk the legacy of the Jesus And Mary Chain a bit longer.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 73 Critic Score
    This one plays out slowly. There's no real rhythms to speak of, and it's easily one of the more harsh releases (at times) that I've heard from the Kranky label in some time.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    It's a great return to form from the group, and easily their best full length since they've started incorporating vocals on nearly every song.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The New Year is a workman-like group, and this is yet another solid album from them.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    I wasn't expecting the group to completely break from their ways on this follow-up, but melodically and musically it's a little too close to the debut to really feel like it breaks any new ground.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 68 Critic Score
    While the hooks are certainly great in places, it jumps from place to place so quickly that there's never anything for the ear and brain to go back to.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 73 Critic Score
    There are plenty of polyrhythms, but not much to hum along with. A big step up from their debut, this one will be much loved by riddim heads.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Spaced-out and seriously hypnotic, Where You Go I Go Too is one of those releases that is custom-made for late summer evenings. It's not too loud, but at the same time has enough of a pulse to be a guide for steady movement.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Nothing Is Precious Enough For Us lets loose just enough times to keep from sounding a bit too soft and steady.