|

New & Current Releases
Archives: A-Z Index
Advanced Search
Upcoming Release Calendar
All-Time High (And Low) Scores
Best Of 2008
Best Of 2007
Best Of 2006
Best Of 2005
Best Of 2004
Best Of 2003
Best Of 2002
Best Of 2001
Best Of 2000
How Metascores Are Calculated
Discuss Music In Our Forums

Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
|
Gods And Monsters
by I Am Kloot
The typically quirky Manchester, England trio led by John Bramwell returns with an atypical third album.
| LABEL: |
Echo |
| RELEASE DATE: |
23 August 2005 |
| DISCS: |
1 disc |
| GENRE(S): |
Indie, Rock |
NOTES: Original UK release 11 Apr 2005.

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
83
Entertainment Weekly
This time, [Bramwell] transcends that reference [to Robyn Hitchcock], with angular arrangements and a darkly romantic wit that's all his own. [26 Aug 2005, p.61]
83
Spin
Eventually it hits you just how godlike catchy these banalities are. [Aug 2005, p.103]
80
Alternative Press
Thinking-person's Britpop. [Oct 2005, p.166]
80
Dot Music
It’s all rather marvellous.

80
Mojo
Where Kloot's self-titled second had moments of glowing, maximalist production, here the sound is pared back. [May 2005, p.106]
70
The Guardian
Admirers will likely crown Gods and Monsters the band's best yet, while the lilting chorus of the single, Over My Shoulder, might make even the unititiated cock an ear.

70
Neumu.net
No BIG message here; I Am Kloot simply made a good, heartfelt rock record and, without sounding like they had to try too hard, pulled it off.

70
The Onion (A.V. Club)
Though on the whole, Gods And Monsters is a lesser record than I Am Kloot, what it lacks in great songs, it gains in stylistic advancement.

60
Paste Magazine
This diverse album's eerie ambience and astute songwriting more than compensate for its periodic uneventfulness. [Oct/Nov 2005, p.145]
60
Uncut
A charming composite of Damon Gough's homespun insight and Edith Piaf's anguish. [May 2005, p.106]
60
PopMatters
Bramwell strings together fine, grabbing lyrics, but he's become too enamored of his literary bent, trying to pack together poetic devices that head off to nowhere.

60
Pitchfork
After two albums of post-Britpop mediocrity, Manchester trio I Am Kloot kick things up a notch (or think they do), and suffer from bipolarity and an ambition that outstrips their ability.

60
Drowned In Sound
'Gods And Monsters' isn't a bad album, merely average which is a real shame.

40
Q Magazine
While the bulk of Johnny Bramwell's songwriting attempts to match the gothic fairground swirl of their new sound, the best tracks... remain the most straightforward and acoustic. [May 2005, p.112]
40
Magnet
Consider this follow-up one step back. [#69, p.98]

The average user rating for this album is 6.3 (out of 10) based on 8 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Discuss this album in our forums |
|