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10.0
93915
10.0 |
The Independent
I can’t think of another songwriter who could delicately draw videogames, disco, electropop and Aids together as he does in “Dreaming In Tetris”
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9.5
94046
9.5 |
The 405
A certifiable masterpiece and one that music lovers ‘round the world will not soon forget
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9.1
93774
9.1 |
A.V. Club
By virtue of its lyrical openness and the fact that the album cycles through more than 100 instruments, 50 Song Memoir, despite having fewer tracks, eclipses 69 Love Songs in terms of its ambition
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9.0
93804
9.0 |
Loud And Quiet
A true triumph
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9.0
93894
9.0 |
Exclaim
What lingers, along with the musical brilliance and uncharacteristic openness of his 50 Song Memoir, is Merritt's humour
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9.0
93902
9.0 |
The Line Of Best Fit
Merritt seems to be having it both ways - one foot in the haze of the past, the other striding forward into a brave future
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9.0
94355
9.0 |
Drowned In Sound
Merritt has lifted the curtain JUST enough to draw us that bit more into his world, while still maintaining both his brilliantly singular world-view and style AND enough distance for us to look on in abject admiration
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8.5
93886
8.5 |
Paste Magazine
Easily the least catchy and most expansive arrangements of the man’s lifetime, which he’s earned
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8.4
95083
8.4 |
Gig Soup
Taking its conceptuality into consideration, it’s great that ’50 Song Memoir’ exists; it’s everything it claims to be, and massive fans of Stephin Merritt are bound to get a kick out of it
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8.3
97127
8.3 |
Pretty Much Amazing
Two and a half hours is a hefty commitment, but if you take the time, you’ll have fun with this one
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8.3
93775
8.3 |
Consequence Of Sound
The ambitious, sprawling type of memoir that only Stephin Merritt could write
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8.0
93776
8.0 |
Mojo
Emotionally speaking Merritt has recreated an inner life that sound agonisingly real. Print edition only
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8.0
93777
8.0 |
Q
A wild indulgence, of course, and a big investment of time, but like 1999's 69 Love Songs, well worth it. Print edition only
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8.0
93778
8.0 |
Uncut
He's never written with such frankness. Print edition only
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8.0
93781
8.0 |
State
With 50 Song Memoir, he has arrived out the other end. It’s not an ending, but it’s a happy ending
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8.0
93783
8.0 |
The Irish Times
A tidy, well-negotiated triumph
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8.0
93941
8.0 |
All Music
50 Song Memoir is a rare example of Stephin Merritt offering a look into his offstage life, but just as importantly it's a reminder of why he's a truly great songwriter, and this ranks with his finest work
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8.0
93946
8.0 |
Evening Standard
Like binge-watching a surreal box set
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8.0
93950
8.0 |
The Guardian
It’s an album worthy of Merritt’s grand half-century
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8.0
93982
8.0 |
The Observer
The joys are many
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7.4
93787
7.4 |
Pitchfork
His writing suggests that our deepest wisdom can be located in our most personal thoughts
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7.0
93782
7.0 |
The Music
After listening from start to finish, you'll almost believe you actually are Merritt
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7.0
94097
7.0 |
Spectrum Culture
Many will wish this witty summation of a life had more consistently enduring songs
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6.0
96492
6.0 |
PopMatters
Might not lift itself into the same orbit of greatness as its gargantuan twin, but it’s still a strong work from one of the most singular songwriters of the last 30 years
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