Follow-up review will be posted soon.
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The xx
XX
Young Turks
out August 17th (UK)
59/100
[Rating Scale]
[rating:59/100]
Upon first listen, the xx’s debut album – helpfully entitled XX – seems like a breath of fresh air. The London four-piece’s modest and unassuming sound comes as a welcome change from the narcissistic posturing of other artists, while their blend of understated, ethereal pop-rock lacks the brazen, ‘in-your-face’ attitude that almost seems to be par for the course with up-and-coming bands. However, it soon becomes obvious that the xx are rather a one-trick pony: although first single ‘Crystalised’ is beguiling, the album’s ten other tracks seem like nothing so much as alternative takes on it – and what’s more, inferior versions that are more or less indistinguishable from one another. What originally seemed atmospheric and moody comes across as something closer resembling apathy: ironically, XX would be vastly improved by some of that pizzazz and swagger that can be so wearisome in other musicians.
The xx – Crystalised | mp3
Less than a minute into the instrumental opening track, ‘Intro’ (the xx don’t waste their collective imagination on naming their songs, that’s for sure), the listener is introduced to the two main musical elements that constitute the band’s sound: a clean, reverberating electric guitar arpeggio, and a focus on percussion. In track two, ‘VCR’, the last weapon in the xx’s arsenal is revealed: the back-and-forth, conversational motion between the two vocalists, Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim. This is charming at first: the two sing to each in their breathy, gentle voices as though they were lovers, alternating verses and coming together in choruses, but this loses its appeal after three or four songs that follow the same formula. Only ‘Islands’ and ‘Basic Space’ seem to break the mould, and even then, only marginally so – indeed, the Jamie T ‘Space Bass’ remix of the latter is infinitely more engaging than the original.
The xx – VCR | mp3
Disappointingly, XX is a dead-end street of an album that persistently hints at a climax that never comes. This is especially obvious on ‘Shelter’, which, after four and a half minutes of subtle (and by ‘subtle’, I mean ‘almost imperceptible’) increases in texture and energy, tails off in a listless fadeout, as though the xx lacked the energy to come up with a convincing conclusion to the song. In a way, though, it’s hard to end something that never really got started in the first place, and that sentiment applies to the album as a whole.
59 – Good. This was an enjoyable listen but ultimately forgettable.
#Album Reviews # Music # Reviews #The XX
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wow, it’s interesting how polarizing this band seems to be. that alone shouuld attest to something, eh?
no, of course none of us lowly commenters can convince you to fall in love. but with such a heated discussion, one can still hope you give them another chance, at the least.
this is one of the best albums i’ve heard in years. i cannot stop listening.
you really need to listen to this album more than once. Its a growing one.
Take a look at the pitchfork review.
i love this album. for more oin this vein check out the free album “E Z Listening For Suicides” at darkjet.com
god this album is bloody boring. album of the year? crystalized is good but the other songs are just basically lesser versions of it.
good review!
Well well lil missy, seems like you stirred up a real hornet’s nest with this one but hey, it got you a few moments of blogdom spotlight. For what its worth I think you have confused “apathy” with restraint, (a are thing in music these days).
Don’t wish death upon yer but we love The XX
Love the album!!! Totaly disagree with your review but also totaly disagree with the stick you have been getting.
haven’t heard the album but read 2 reviews. This one & a more positive one- normal, people have different tastes. But reading the reviews.. jeez. Wishing death on someone (by jumping off a bridge no less) because they are (v reasonably) critical of an album you like? That really is ‘pretty much amazing’. and pathetic.
Well said, sir! I’m listening to the album now on Lala and on first listen it’s neither terrible nor the greatest thing I’ve ever heard; but it’s definitely not worth wishing death upon someone over.
That said, I think it may grow on me. It’s minimalist production reminds me a tiny bit of Young Marble Giants (whom I came to love far, far too late in life). I’ll give it another spin and see if I like it any more.
I think this an excellent album, from start to finish.
Gotta agree with the last comment. Most things are pretty much subjective, but did ya not know Fronch, the web is populated by a lotta very creepy people. Methinks everyone should just take a chill pill.
What’s with all the outrage? You read a review and did not agree with the opinion. Are you going to pester her until she changes her mind? You need to step outside your little bubble once in a while. Not everyone will like the same music you do. And as for Pete who did “a tiny bit of research” on the critic, well, that’s a little creepy. Reviews are all about opinions. Not everyone has to get into lockstep with yours.
Spot on sir!
exactly, i love this band, but i’m not giving this reviewer a hard time because she didn’t. Not every review can please everybody, and if the reviewer took a neutral stance, trying not to upset anybody, then it wouldn’t be worth reading…
Did a tiny bit of research on this, (self styled critic), and wait for it….she’s a Kiwi media student who loves the Beastie Boys, nuff said. It’s time to give this woman a break and move on peps.
Respect the fact that everyone is entitled to their own opinion but…if you’re really a muso, how is it that you don’t get The XX.
I give this review 45/100 – Awful. Has lots to say but is way off the mark. Forgettable.
worst review i’ve seen this week. and i’ve read plenty.
Don’t agree with the review, although I won’t discount all of your future reviews as your entitled to your opinion. I feel The xx create so much from so little and there’s more to be uncovered with every listen.
Check out my review @ http://www.audiobounty.com/uncategorized/album-of-the-week-the-xx-xx-young-turks2009
Thanks Liam – as you can see, the xx didn’t do anything for me, but I enjoyed reading your review… perhaps they’ll grow on me with future listens. In any case, I really appreciate your reasonable response!
Saw The XX live at Hoxton Hall last night, they were awesome. Sorry to have to say this but in future all of your music reviews will have to be taken with a pinch of salt and accompanied by a government health warning
Don’t quit your day job.
Seeing as how you confused Jamie T with Jamie Smith it does not surprise me one little bit that you did not get all the subtle good stuff on the album. Love it myself.
Duno what your on about cos this is one of the best albums ive heard for a while!
Im pretty hard to please when it comes to music but what The XX have done here is created an album that i have been listenin to on repeat since 10am this mornin and havent skipped a track yet. And thats very rare for me.
Im sure theyre only gunna get bigger this year.
Wrong call on this one I.m afraid. Variations on a finely worked minamalist style does NOT constitute a “one trick pony” album.
Hmmm….Wishing the very best of luck in overcoming your hearing difficulties.
Really don’t think you’ve looked as this record closely enough.
It’s so inventive, so carefully-crafted and all about subtle tricks, tricks you seem to have missed.
My review: http://musicfansmic.com/2009/08/16/the-xx-xx-album-review/
it’s not a jamie T remix, it’s done by Jamie from The xx
this doesn’t sound like a very educated review, hhhhmmmmm
Wow, how the hell did you get a job reviewing music, subtleties seem to just pass you by. You just don’t get it do you. Geez1
Well everyone is entitled to thei own opinion however I have seldom heard such a load of crap in my entire life. This critic should stick to listening to their “thrash metal” and find another job!
duh there’s no climax…it’s built on a minimal platform. see Young Marble Giants. Hmm, maybe you wouldn’t get that either. How about just focus all of your reviewing vigor into discussing the latest Amanda Blank remix. Or, better yet, jump off of a bridge and spare the world of the detritus that comes from yr brain. good day!
As always, constructive criticism is appreciated. Good day to you too!
Nice of them to “borrow” the melody from Glasvegas’ Geraldine on VCR…
writer is off her head
Just give a little more time and another couple of listen to this. Or, of course not.
basic space pariah remix much better:
http://hypem.com/track/880591/The+xx+-+Basic+Space+Pariah+Remix+