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8.0
44125
8.0 |
DIY
'The Sparrow' is a masterful album, aligning lyrical nous with the most lissom and lithe of musical charms
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8.0
44126
8.0 |
The Fly
The instrumentation nods toward 90s Glaswegian indie-pop; ‘The Listening Times’ in particular, with its minimal piano and string sweeps, could fit seamlessly into a Belle & Sebastian record
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8.0
44131
8.0 |
Mojo
Milne's singular melodic knack makes The Sparrow a pointed tribute to a world before the white heat of punk. Print edition only
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8.0
44133
8.0 |
Uncut
There's wit and lyrical precision to match the stunning tunes and arrangements. Print edition only
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8.0
44440
8.0 |
BBC
Partly avoids the obvious in favour of a more considered, instrumentally rich approach to songwriting
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7.5
44123
7.5 |
The Line Of Best Fit
What’s most noticeable about The Sparrow on first listen is that it’s comparatively far truer to his live sound – a fine development – even though the songs on it are far less immediate than on its cheeky, hook-laden predecessor
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7.0
44124
7.0 |
Bowlegs
While there is a new side here, fans and newcomers will struggle to resist another Arabia pop gem
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7.0
44162
7.0 |
Drowned In Sound
The Sparrow is a definite change in direction for Lawrence Arabia, and one that is probably going to result in less attention from the radio. ... Give it space to breathe, and there’s definitely something to discover nestled inside
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7.0
44132
7.0 |
NME
A finely honed paean to the art of the songwriter
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7.0
44482
7.0 |
No Ripcord
The expertly level of musicianship is really where it excels, so much so that Milne backs off in many occasions and give the studio musicians their time to either freely wail and screech atonal outros, or end these lavish symphonies with a pointed touch
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7.0
44529
7.0 |
The Quietus
There is a restraint and quietude in place of the puckishness of before. This quality is largely expressed melodically and instrumentally; lyrically, if anything, Milne is at risk of stretching this hyper-literate, slightly camp persona a little too far
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7.0
44901
7.0 |
Blurt
Throughout the album, there's a vertiginous sense of pretty songs just about to go off the rails, of pop conventions that have been upended before you have time to register unease
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7.0
44381
7.0 |
All Music
The end result is caught somewhere between enjoyment for its own sake and a sense of a well-traveled road
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6.0
44375
6.0 |
Consequence Of Sound
Lawrence Arabia would likely reject the “singer-songwriter” label; he’s far too concerned with arranging and presenting his stories of sardonic, white-collar despair to merely play the role of storyteller
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6.0
44127
6.0 |
Q
Milne hasn't so much grown up as perhaps grown comfortable in his own skin. Print edition only
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