Albums to watch

Back To Land

Wooden Shjips

Back To Land

Fourth album from the San Franciscan psychedelic band fronted by Erik 'Ripley' Johnson who is also a member of Moon Duo

ADM rating[?]

7.0

Label
Thrill Jockey
UK Release date
11/11/2013
US Release date
12/11/2013
  1. 8.5 |   The Quietus

    Boy, do they go for the hips as much as the head with this incredible collection of music
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  2. 8.0 |   Loud And Quiet

    ‘Back To Land’ metamorphoses the nervy urgency of predecessor ‘West’ into a more confident, rounded, and focussed vision
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  3. 8.0 |   Time Out

    With beards and instrumental chops as impressive as theirs, who needs much more than three chords and a steady beat?
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  4. 8.0 |   Clash

    Won’t immediately blow you away, but that warm, overdriven sound makes the latest LP from this San Francisco quartet another compelling one
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  5. 8.0 |   musicOMH

    Their strengths lie within rocky, repetitive grooves and guitar wizardry
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  6. 8.0 |   Sputnik Music (staff)

    Repetition is bliss
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  7. 7.1 |   Paste Magazine

    Finds one of the more seasoned practitioners of cosmic rock coolness feeling their hidden Harvest side creep up ever closer
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  8. 7.0 |   Consequence Of Sound

    The most forgiving, clear album in the Wooden Shjips catalog, an interesting step for a band once lauded for their obscurity
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  9. 7.0 |   NME

    Occasionally feels a bit like Wooden Shjips lite
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  10. 7.0 |   All Music

    The overall pace, sequence, and vibe of Back to Land finds the Shjips teetering on the edge of classic rock mania with enough restraint to keep things minimal, mystical, and interesting throughout
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  11. 7.0 |   PopMatters

    Back to Land is a gorgeous album. It’s been baked in the sun, swept by euphonious breezes, and finished off with a glistening layer of silvery mist
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  12. 7.0 |   Under The Radar

    No riff is too inelastic to go galactic
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  13. 7.0 |   Uncut

    Repetition to the point of ruthless insistence remains the quartet's MO. Print edition only

  14. 7.0 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    Tunes that occasionally risk a third chord to supplement the band’s customary two- and single-chord workouts
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  15. 6.5 |   Pitchfork

    Whether this breakthrough portends a change in course remains to be seen, but, at this point in their consistent-to-a-fault career, it's encouraging to hear Wooden Shjips draw the emotion out of their motion
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  16. 6.0 |   Drowned In Sound

    Those wanting an intense, borderline overdose, hit of rushing psychedelia for 42 minutes need look no further, whilst others wishing for a bit more diversity are barking up the wrong tree
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  17. 6.0 |   Q

    They're still at their most impressive when they lock into a distorted groove and see where it takes them. Print edition only

  18. 4.0 |   DIY

    It’s satisfying and completely listenable, bar for the weight of repetition, but all too often lacks definition and most importantly purpose
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