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10.0
12288
10.0 |
Daily Telegraph
A cloudy, amorphous, ever-mutating blend of acoustic sensitivity and lush post-Radiohead atmospherics that all comes into focus around O’Brien’s clear, sweet voice
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8.5
12765
8.5 |
The Line Of Best Fit
A marvellous showcase for O’Brien: not only his voice and his way with a tune, but also the way he weaves together words and images in a way that simultaneously please and – yes – slightly frighten the listener
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8.0
12848
8.0 |
The Sunday Times
Exudes a confidence that speaks of a rare talent and a significant new find
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8.0
12589
8.0 |
Q
His songs are not easy to grasp yet before long, they colonise your head. Print edition only
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8.0
12626
8.0 |
God Is In The TV
Becoming a Jackal introduces us to a fascinating talent
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8.0
12704
8.0 |
Bowlegs
Villagers’ masterful arrangements and melodies, coupled with O’Brien’s endearing phrasing, keep the listener rapt
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8.0
12289
8.0 |
The Irish Times
One of the best Irish albums for many a year
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8.0
12290
8.0 |
State
A fascinating record, showcasing O’Brien’s knack for penning fragile, intimate masterpieces. This isn’t Conor O’Brien’s first major artistic statement, but it’s his best yet. Outstanding
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8.0
12319
8.0 |
musicOMH
Rather like that other, more famous, Conor - Oberst, of Bright Eyes fame - there's a sense of foundations being laid, in preparation for a career of real longevity. Hop on now, for this promises to be quite a ride
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8.0
12337
8.0 |
Uncut
Grandly arranged narratives boast poetic gravitas, huge ambition and occasional doggeral. Print edition only
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8.0
12393
8.0 |
BBC
For the most part, this is a fine debut and speaks of even finer things to come
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8.0
12422
8.0 |
NME
There’s depth, sincerity and beauty in abundance here
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8.0
12458
8.0 |
Drowned In Sound
O’Brien’s howls and cries throughout are an exorcism of growing pains, and to that end universally resonant and resolutely empathetic
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8.0
12467
8.0 |
The Guardian
The sound of a songwriter trying to scorch out a place for himself; his best work is surely yet to come
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8.0
12525
8.0 |
Mojo
Print edition only
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8.0
13336
8.0 |
Subba Cultcha
A very assured debut album from a songwriter with bagfuls of talent
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8.0
13337
8.0 |
The Skinny
The results are gorgeous; the lyrics intelligent and provocative, the melodies delicate and diverse
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8.0
13715
8.0 |
Blurt
Music this alluring doesn't come along all that often. To turn a phrase, it takes Villagers to duly impress
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7.0
14830
7.0 |
PopMatters
Over these 11 songs, O’Brien maintains his intriguing vibe with spare musical arrangements (playing everything but strings and horns) and a subtle, intimate croon
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7.0
12538
7.0 |
Independent on Sunday
Literate, singer-songwriter fare that conjures Badly Drawn Boy and Prefab Sprout without ever sounding much like either
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7.0
12548
7.0 |
The Digital Fix
Leaves us with the feeling of a great talent who needs just a little guidance to reign in some of the unnecessary extremes displayed here
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7.0
12614
7.0 |
Rave Magazine
Weighty personal issues offset by melancholic but immensely approachable tunes, wrapped in crisp guitars and atmospheric keyboards
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7.0
13213
7.0 |
Click Music
Not quite the perfect breakthrough album that it has been made out to be. The odd lull weakens the set, but doesn't detract from the perfect moments elsewhere
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6.9
13271
6.9 |
Pitchfork
He plays almost every instrument on Becoming a Jackal, and his portentous lyrics, falsetto-prone quaver, and Simon & Garfunkel tunefulness are essential to the album's appeal
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6.0
16888
6.0 |
Eye Weekly
His music is too smooth to hang onto
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