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Almost Waking Image
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

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  • Summary: The debut full-length release from the collaboration between Mabe Fratti and Bill Orcutt features cello arrangement by I. la Católica.
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Uncut
    May 22, 2026
    80
    It's an auspicious pairing. [Jul 2026, p.36]
  2. The Wire
    Jul 8, 2026
    80
    The gorgeous "El Inicio Es Cuestion De Suerte" is rich in stacked vocal harmonies. .... "Arise From The Graves And Aspire" - one of four tunes whose titles are borrowed from the writings of William Blake is the only track where the guitarist subsequently responded to Fratti's work, cutting up some of her cello parts and laying down additional guitar to bring an extra emotional punch. Here's to more Orcutt hypotheticals. [Aug 2026, p.56]
  3. Mojo
    May 22, 2026
    80
    Almost Waking wors as beautifully and sharply as flint on stone. [Jul 2026, p.86]
  4. Jun 4, 2026
    80
    Almost Waking crosses genres, generations, and cultures, serving as a testament to the beauty of true collaboration.
  5. Jun 11, 2026
    80
    Ultimately, by the end of these thirty minutes, the chemistry between these two musicians feels undeniable.
  6. Jun 2, 2026
    77
    Orcutt and Fratti understand each other, and their collaboration might be the most relaxed, generous music either has made.
  7. 70
    Fratti’s arrangements tiptoe around Orcutt’s jagged idiosyncrasies, creating a melodically rich, soothing yet robustly physical sound that often resembles chamber music that happens to have a healthy lining of dirt under its nails, and which manages to sound simultaneously unvarnished in its uncluttered directness and nuanced in its alluring detail.

See all 9 Critic Reviews