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8.0
21000
8.0 |
BBC
Hercules and Love Affair have vaulted over any second album worries with a jubilant and celebratory collection of large tunes
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8.0
21068
8.0 |
Uncut
Soulful dance music you can think to. Print edition only
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8.0
21112
8.0 |
The Irish Times
A scream from start to finish
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8.0
21124
8.0 |
The Line Of Best Fit
A fine demonstration of talent, and an even better depiction of skill
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8.0
21190
8.0 |
Independent on Sunday
If H&LA's 2008 debut was an ideal accompaniment to the clubland chaos, then Blue Songs is the gentlest of comedowns
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8.0
21299
8.0 |
The Quietus
An album that actually delivers on the promise of its predecessor; they may have burned a few bridges along the way, but these Blue Songs are the perfect soundtrack for dancing on the ashes
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7.5
22329
7.5 |
A.V. Club
A slew of less-kinetic tracks at the album’s center don’t connect emotionally, even as they dazzle with fine details
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7.0
22499
7.0 |
AU Review
The chemical reaction sparks and splutters, where once it flared blindingly bright
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7.0
23018
7.0 |
Rave Magazine
A few too many of these tracks keep Blue Songs from being truly great, but it’s an intriguing release all the same
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7.0
30133
7.0 |
Spin
Blue Songs' prevailing mood is deep indigo, not ultraviolet, yet that darkness heightens and complicates
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7.0
22269
7.0 |
PopMatters
Finds Butler and his crew of collaborators laying back to a place where the dance floor can be as much a place for ethereal contemplation as it is for unrepentant debauchery
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7.0
33997
7.0 |
Blurt
With several fair-to-middlin’ unlisted bonus tracks on the main disc, and a second disc of remixes, Butler needs to learn how to limit his output for maximum impact. But what’s good is very good
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7.0
21001
7.0 |
musicOMH
Hercules have furthered their ambitions on Blue Songs, drawing more of the late-great disco scene into a modern vehicle. Yet it's an album that does many things well but nothing to perfection
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7.0
21003
7.0 |
NME
A fascinating record. Print edition only
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7.0
21013
7.0 |
Clash
An enjoyable record, but one that’s more likely to point you in the direction of their original influences than achieve notability in its own right
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6.7
30730
6.7 |
Pretty Much Amazing
His marvelous debut wasn’t a fluke. Andy Butler is indeed a prodigious talent, even if few will notice or care
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6.6
21221
6.6 |
Pitchfork
So much of the album is straining to be more than just an homage to the club sounds of the late 80s that it ends up being a bit less
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6.0
21244
6.0 |
Slant Magazine
What's missing is that nagging vocal that hovers somewhere between sublime and corrosive
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6.0
21263
6.0 |
DIY
Hamstrung by their own high standards, Hercules need to relax again
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6.0
21430
6.0 |
State
While they may never reach the glorious heights of ‘Blind’ again, listening to them try definitely makes a passable Saturday night soundtrack
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6.0
21529
6.0 |
Daily Telegraph
Production tends toward the cool – even plodding – but his polishing up of 20-year-old stylistic tics still entertains
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6.0
21065
6.0 |
Q
There are good things here. Print edition only
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6.0
21075
6.0 |
Mojo
Lacks its predecessor's USP. Print edition only
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6.0
21151
6.0 |
Evening Standard
For all its supercool ambience, Butler is a quietly maverick soundshaper
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6.0
22158
6.0 |
Eye Weekly
Producer Andy Butler continues to reinvent the ’70s and '80s, but focuses more on classic, minimal handclap-house and hypnotizing proto-techno
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6.0
30581
6.0 |
Rolling Stone
Club jams that transcend the club
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6.0
30714
6.0 |
Paste Magazine
There are plenty of beats to latch onto throughout Blue Songs
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5.5
21725
5.5 |
Beats Per Minute
The entire album seems either completely uninspired or absolutely rushed
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5.0
21403
5.0 |
The Digital Fix
Continues in the same disco-house vein as their self-titled debut
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5.0
30359
5.0 |
Consequence Of Sound
Highlights on the hit-or-miss disc come in the form of production, more often than not
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5.0
31024
5.0 |
PopMatters
All told, Blue Songs isn’t exactly a bad album. It’s just disappointing
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4.0
21145
4.0 |
The Guardian
Too much of Blue Songs sounds rote and empty
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