Highest Recent Ratings

Albums to watch

The Boombox Ballads

Sweet Baboo

The Boombox Ballads

Fifth studio album from Welsh singer songwriter Stephen Black

ADM rating[?]

6.9

Label
Moshi Moshi
UK Release date
14/08/2015
US Release date
14/08/2015
Listen on Spotify
Related Links
Last.fm Myspace Wikipedia
Share
Share |

  1. 10.0 |   God Is In The TV

    A completely wonderful record
    Read Review

  2. 8.0 |   The Irish Times

    Packaged alongside Black’s wry lyric sheet, it’s sweet, uncomplicated and eminently easy listening
    Read Review

  3. 8.0 |   Clash

    A glorious, emphatic collection of songs showcasing his truly affecting vocal and knack for ridiculously insistent hooks
    Read Review

  4. 8.0 |   Uncut

    Lovingly observed domesticity, his bright, clear voice supported by a lush soundscape. Print edition only

  5. 7.5 |   Earbuddy

    Clean, clear, weird pop music
    Read Review

  6. 7.0 |   PopMatters

    If you aren’t in love or aren’t thinking that love has a role in your near-future, you’re likely going to want to turn this album off quickly
    Read Review

  7. 7.0 |   Gig Soup

    Love, happiness, loneliness, acceptance, self-deprecation and humour are well-trodden paths when it comes to pop and there is a reason for this, echoed in The Boombox Ballads
    Read Review

  8. 6.0 |   musicOMH

    The Boombox Ballads is at its best when Black’s new “Singer” tendencies are mixed with weirdness
    Read Review

  9. 6.0 |   DIY

    Downright strange - just not in the right ways
    Read Review

  10. 6.0 |   The Music

    Allows his eccentricity to shine, matching slightly oddball lyrics with ambitious Beatles-esque arrangements
    Read Review

  11. 6.0 |   NME

    Uses strings to add extra oomph to his trademark lyrical fragility
    Read Review

  12. 6.0 |   Mojo

    It's easy to embrace his Johnny-Flynn-does-indie songs. Print edition only

  13. 6.0 |   Q

    There's loveliness at work. Print edition only

  14. Back to main chart

blog comments powered by Disqus
buy it at amazon download it from itunes

Watch it

Roll over video for more options

Hear it

Preview & download it

Sweet Baboo: The Boombox Ballads

  • Download full album for just £9.49
  • 1. Sometimes £0.99
  • 2. Got To Hang On To You £0.99
  • 3. You Are Gentle £0.99
  • 4. Two Lucky Magpies £0.99
  • 5. The Boombox Ballad £0.99
  • 6. You Got Me Time Keeping £0.99
  • 7. Walking in the Rain £0.99
  • 8. I Just Want to Be Good £0.99
  • 9. Tonight You Are a Tiger £0.99
  • 10. Over & Out £0.99
  • Service provided by 7Digital

Latest Reviews

David Byrne  Who Is The Sky

The artist’s new album of bright, bustling pop is positioned as a celebration of reasons to be cheerful. Often its fountain of optimism feels like a firehose of forced positivity Pitchfork

Ed Sheeran  Play

On the enjoyably moreish Play, the ‘culturally Irish’ star sounds as if he’s back on form. Although we’ve only had time for a quick listen The Irish Times

Baxter Dury  Allbarone

This record plays like his shot for glory, and with tracks as hooky and well-constructed as "Mockingjay" or the title track, there's no reason he shouldn't hit the big time All Music

More reviews

All-time top 10

Since we've been around, that is. So, the highest-rated albums from the past twelve years or so. Rankings are calculated to two decimal places.

  1. 9.3

    Kendrick Lamar To Pimp A Butterfly

  2. 9.2

    Fiona Apple Fetch The Bolt Cutters

  3. 9.1

    Kendrick Lamar Damn.

  4. 9.1

    D'Angelo And The Vanguard Black Messiah

  5. 9.0

    Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Ghosteen

  6. 9.0

    Spiritbox Tsunami Sea

  7. 9.0

    Self Esteem Prioritise Pleasure

  8. 8.9

    Bob Dylan Rough and Rowdy Ways

  9. 8.9

    Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Skeleton Tree

  10. 8.9

    Frank Ocean Channel Orange

See full list