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8.5
52815
8.5 |
The Quietus
It's their strongest, most natural-sounding album to date, combining the scope and sweep of Man of Aran with some of the most nuanced songwriting the band have yet achieved
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8.0
52811
8.0 |
Mojo
One of their most consistently impressive releases. Print edition only
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8.0
52786
8.0 |
The Guardian
It's a more cohesive album than its predecessor, 2011's Valhalla Dancehall, thanks mostly to the keening viola of Abi Fry, a will-o'the-wisp dancing from song to song; and to crisp editing that keeps experimentation on a taut leash
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8.0
52787
8.0 |
The 405
British Sea Power have always managed to deliver the goods, and Machineries of Joy is no exception, with new things revealing themselves with every listen
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8.0
52788
8.0 |
The Line Of Best Fit
An intelligent distillation of everything that people cherish about British Sea Power and what makes them a truly Great British rock band
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8.0
52804
8.0 |
The Observer
Their fifth album finds them playing it relatively straight, and it's no bad thing
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8.0
52806
8.0 |
Independent on Sunday
It's almost boring: yet another excellent British Sea Power album
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8.0
52880
8.0 |
Q
It's one of their finest. Print edition only
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8.0
55148
8.0 |
Art Rocker
They are still holding themselves proud at the helm of all that is good and honest (and loud) in rock
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8.0
58246
8.0 |
God Is In The TV
Jan Scott Wilkinson’s Cumbria-via-Brighton art rock troupe have opened their sound further than Wilkinson’s yearning whisper would imply possible
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7.0
53309
7.0 |
No Ripcord
A focused and compelling reminder of its continuing relevance
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7.0
52887
7.0 |
musicOMH
An album that takes a few listens before really making an impact and, for the most part, the wait is justified
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7.0
52912
7.0 |
All Music
Finds the bookish, self-mythologizing, and willfully nostalgic yet remarkably buoyant indie rockers doing what they do best: being British Sea Power
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7.0
52808
7.0 |
NME
This is BSP in fine, if not exactly boundary-shoving, form
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7.0
52823
7.0 |
DIY
A touching, ambitious and inventive album, and one which stands head and shoulders above most. We need more bands like British Sea Power
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7.0
52864
7.0 |
Uncut
BSP remain a reliably warm-hearted antidote to the bustle of modern life. Print edition only
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6.0
52785
6.0 |
Drowned In Sound
That Machineries of Joy sounds so contented is its Achilles’ heel. BSP are audibly putting their feet up and asking you to stick the kettle on
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6.0
52902
6.0 |
Consequence Of Sound
Still, here’s to hoping that the Brighton troupe someday breaks free from their comfort zone of warbling power chords and disquieting lyrics
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6.0
54337
6.0 |
PopMatters
Though there are certainly more misses than hits on Machineries of Joy, its not for lack of trying, and those hits soar
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6.0
53030
6.0 |
Loud And Quiet
Feels like the band are stepping into a comfy pair of slippers after a nice warm bath
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5.8
52957
5.8 |
Pitchfork
If you like the idea of grandiose, yet compact rock songs filled with arcane literary and historical references, you’ll appreciate its mere existence. If not, Machineries of Joy isn’t going to do much to change your mind
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