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10.0
66218
10.0 |
The FT
Full of smartly realised moments of resignation; the tone sardonic, abrasive, arrogant and surreal
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9.0
66133
9.0 |
The Music
Laidback and relaxed but naturally capable of springing into action at the slightest provocation
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8.6
66362
8.6 |
Pitchfork
Sunbathing Animal's considered, whip-smart rock revivalism is a work of substantial growth from a band that already did "simple" quite well, placing Parquet Courts in their own distinct weight class
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8.5
66222
8.5 |
The Line Of Best Fit
With its musical acuity, crisp production and stirrings of emotional depth - is a superior follow-up that improves with every listen
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8.3
66311
8.3 |
A.V. Club
There are plenty of tracks that pick up where Light Up Gold left off, but Sunbathing Animals’ strengths are found in the balance between post-punk propulsions and slower, moodier experiments
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8.0
66313
8.0 |
NME
A considered and brutal reminder that Parquet Courts’ aren’t necessarily an accessible band. Quite deliberately, they've made it a challenge to like
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8.0
66325
8.0 |
Rolling Stone
They've outgrown the Pavement comparisons – these songs make you wonder if you're hearing early Wire jam with Creedence while Thurston Moore brews the tea
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8.0
66326
8.0 |
Spin
If 2012's Light Up Gold delighted those seeking short buzzbomb formalism heavy on gnarly hooks, Andrew Savage and Austin Brown have unveiled a more expansive take on said buzzbomb formalism
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8.0
66251
8.0 |
The Observer
An intoxicated, stylistically varied stretch of rigid drum beats, repeated riffs and odes to melancholy
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8.0
66267
8.0 |
No Ripcord
It’s a bit of stretch to call Parquet Courts the next trailblazers of off-center indie rock, but they sure got the rock n’ roll part down pat
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8.0
66275
8.0 |
Under The Radar
It's cleaned up, more of the same but filled to the brim with charm. The improved production and mixing doesn't take away from the lackadaisical feel
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8.0
66285
8.0 |
All Music
Sunbathing Animal may not be the shock to the system that Light Up Gold was; it may not be quite the sensation. It is the work of bandmembers in total control of their sound, doing exactly what they should on a second album
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8.0
66304
8.0 |
DIY
Their knack for storytelling - which frontman Andrew Savage has always sported no matter what project he’s been involved in - has matured, providing extra strength to the slow jams this time around
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8.0
66134
8.0 |
The List
They’re far from a by-the-numbers revivalist band, and instead are the best example of a band making weird jams for the weird times they find themselves in
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8.0
66130
8.0 |
Loud And Quiet
It’s as if the band – who are as adverse to popularity as any of their contemporaries – have gotten used to the idea of people actually listening to their music
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8.0
66131
8.0 |
musicOMH
Sunbathing Animal proves that Parquet Courts have, in abundance, an ability to capture their influences and regurgitate them in their own way
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8.0
66132
8.0 |
The Skinny
This is no huge departure from Parquet Courts, it makes for another brilliantly jarring experience nonetheless
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8.0
66206
8.0 |
Evening Standard
Sunbathing Animal is generally a more meandering album, less reliant on catchy hooks and slacker anthems
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8.0
66363
8.0 |
PopMatters
There’s no denying Parquet Courts have a knack for making what’s familiar and done feel like you want more of what you already had enough of
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8.0
66221
8.0 |
The Independent
They locate an effective nexus where grunge meets meets avant-rock in colourful pop livery
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8.0
66384
8.0 |
Earbuddy
The key here is that Parquet Courts keeps the bar low, so again, they knock it mostly out of the park
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8.0
66777
8.0 |
State
The album never gives the idea there was a need to live up to anything, instead they’re content to still have their fun in their genre while they still can
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8.0
66904
8.0 |
Beardfood
They cement their already large reputation with a curveball, something most bands cannot do
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7.5
66375
7.5 |
Pretty Much Amazing
Parquet Courts sound like they’ve barely broken a sweat writing these tunes. That they can convey such complex ideas with such simple musical rudiments sets them apart from their contemporaries
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7.0
66217
7.0 |
Uncut
Subtly subversive third album. Print edition only
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7.0
66385
7.0 |
Exclaim
Though less adventurous than on earlier work, Parquet Courts still manage to deliver a unique record that builds on the foundations of the past
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7.0
66368
7.0 |
Paste Magazine
The downside is it is an album that makes you feel regret and doom. Commendable, but not very enjoyable
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7.0
67364
7.0 |
Sputnik Music (staff)
The same tricks and ticks are deployed: lyrics that veer across street poetry and post-modern perspectives, music that pinches poses from late-70s new wave
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7.0
66626
7.0 |
Clash
Between the caustic riffs and searing lyrics there’s some damned beauty in Parquet Courts
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7.0
66135
7.0 |
Drowned In Sound
Unlike its predecessor, this isn’t quite a thrilling record; its energy and invention, though, points to big things for Parquet Courts, especially if they can continue to adhere to such a ferocious work ethic
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6.7
66554
6.7 |
Consequence Of Sound
While the guitar work is catchy and accessible, Andrew Savage’s deadpan is an acquired taste, and you’ll find these songs more annoying than enlightening if you don’t get off on his poetic style
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6.0
66457
6.0 |
The Guardian
Sunbathing Animal presents a litany of marginalised characters scribbling in Moleskines (Dear Ramona) and struggling to cope with smalltown myopia (Black and White)
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6.0
66173
6.0 |
The Digital Fix
Pretty much a companion piece to Light Up Gold, Sunbathing Animal continues laying the foundations for a more than decent band
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6.0
66215
6.0 |
Mojo
Juggling terse strums and blossoms of barbed wire guitar with poised deadpan narration. Print edition only
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6.0
66216
6.0 |
Q
Two years on the road have dulled their desire to please. Print edition only
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5.0
67647
5.0 |
The Quietus
I'm not saying it's wrong to listen to Parquet Courts, nor that they have necessarily failed in their mission, but be aware that this is a re-enactment pure and simple. It is a crystallised definition of "record collection rock"
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