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10.0
90025
10.0 |
Loud And Quiet
Improbably, Preoccupations are even better and, another dodgy name aside, this is one of the best albums of the year
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9.1
90026
9.1 |
Pretty Much Amazing
The darkness is all very real, ladies and gentlemen; anxiety approaches and monotony kills
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9.0
90175
9.0 |
The 405
A tough, black and resilient modern rock album
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8.5
90028
8.5 |
The Line Of Best Fit
Preoccupations' greatest asset is in its breadth of ability; spontaneous, yet considered; off-kilter, but instinctive; eccentric, although well composed
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8.5
90211
8.5 |
Spectrum Culture
Regardless of what name the band give themselves, the power of their music hasn’t diminished
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8.0
90855
8.0 |
State
This is an evolution rather than a fresh start, but a very worthy one
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8.0
91641
8.0 |
PopMatters
With the new album, the band additionally utilizes melodic and dream-pop elements, forging a complex and multifaceted sound that may well appeal to a wide range of listeners.
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8.0
90045
8.0 |
Drowned In Sound
It is a strange and potent cocktail that only yields anything close to an actual pop song on soaring closer 'Fever'
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8.0
90023
8.0 |
The Skinny
The album is more introspective than its predecessor – and a hell of a lot more visceral
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8.0
90101
8.0 |
DIY
The Canadian group’s second record hits harder, digs deeper and lingers longer than their promising debut
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7.9
90163
7.9 |
Pitchfork
The artists formerly known as Viet Cong return with a harrowing, ferociously alive rock record that nods to Swans and Echo and the Bunnymen
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7.6
90097
7.6 |
Earbuddy
The only emotion that lives in this blasted sonic wasteland is soul crushing depression
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7.5
90030
7.5 |
Consequence Of Sound
Canadian post-punks give a startling document of anxiety on their first post-Viet Cong record
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7.0
90027
7.0 |
Slant Magazine
One of the very few bands who can speak the dead language of Joy Division and make it come alive
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7.0
90205
7.0 |
No Ripcord
A strong follow-up to an excellent debut record
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7.0
90066
7.0 |
Exclaim
Preoccupations are steadying their footing here, both growing up and grounding themselves sonically
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7.0
90270
7.0 |
Beardfood
They’re still just as dark, menacing and distressing
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6.0
90288
6.0 |
Q
Despite some strong material, the relentless gloom gets a little wearing well before the end. Print edition only
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6.0
90068
6.0 |
NOW
Preoccupations don't fully hit their stride until album closer Fever, which sounds a bit like Heroes-era Bowie without coming across as derivative
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6.0
90106
6.0 |
The Irish Times
Propulsive, purposeful, persistent
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5.0
90024
5.0 |
The Music
Some promising adventures in lo-fi audio grime are soured by bottom drawer songwriting and Interpol-wannabe vocals
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5.0
90057
5.0 |
Tiny Mix Tapes
Yes, there’s that familiarly vague sense of unease and disquiet, those serrated guitars, and those industrial-tinged synths and beats, yet everything seems less urgent and consequential, much to the album’s detriment
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