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Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress
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Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress Image
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 25 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 61 Ratings

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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Paste Magazine
    Mar 31, 2015
    93
    It’s a true piece of art, and we’re lucky Godspeed You! Black Emperor gave listeners a proper document.
  2. PopMatters
    Apr 3, 2015
    90
    Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress is, without a doubt, and seemingly with all intention, their most immediate record to date.
  3. The Observer (UK)
    Mar 30, 2015
    80
    This relatively curt 40-minute set--the Montreal multi-instrumentalists’ second recording since their lengthy hiatus ended in 2010--ranks among their most immediate.
  4. NOW Magazine
    Mar 26, 2015
    80
    It requires some patience, but it's worth sitting through the less immediately gratifying moments for the final section's payoff.
  5. Exclaim
    Mar 31, 2015
    80
    This is a beautiful, concise blast that conveys this band's musical essence.
  6. Mojo
    May 20, 2015
    80
    This is music of compelling intensity. [Jun 2015, p.92]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Apr 6, 2015
    60
    Asunder, Sweet And Other Distress’ is not a failure; it’s merely familiar.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. BrushedRed
    Jun 5, 2015
    10
    Godspeed are incredible musicians and I've followed them since the beginning. They never seem to make anything bad. Yanqui was their weakestGodspeed are incredible musicians and I've followed them since the beginning. They never seem to make anything bad. Yanqui was their weakest point, yes, but it's still awesome. I think of this as a continuation of Allelujah! If you love Godspeed, then you'll for sure love this album. The buildup to track 4 is great and track 4 then flourishes. It's a majestic, beautiful, hallucinogenic moment for Godspeed! In the running of AOTY possibly, in my opinion.… Expand
  2. burntbulbs
    Mar 31, 2015
    7
    overall a much better effort than their previous release, don't bend, ascend - which i found to be skewed far to much to rock and noise thanoverall a much better effort than their previous release, don't bend, ascend - which i found to be skewed far to much to rock and noise than more composed and thoughtful compositions. with asunder, we receive a more focused and tight release that has refined the drone segments.

    it is still a noticeable departure from the days of zero kanada and skinny fists that saw heartbreaking string assembles. we also do not get to enjoy any voice samples that those two albums leveraged or how infinity symbol started, which set the tone for the whole performance - the car's on fire and there is nobody at the wheel and the sewers are all muddied with a thousand lonely suicides and a dark wind blows.

    gy!be has progressed over the years and their message has shifted a bit but the structure they created with infinity symbol still remains. the band has progressed in a similar fashion to silver mt. zion... once a quiet band that used crescendos from time to time and had equally important lulls creating a tense and suffocating fear has now moved to a band that fills all the empty space with heavy guitars taking the lead for most of the dance.

    overall i find it to be a strong release that continues to prove why gy!be are at the very front of the pack within this genre of music. there is fear, anger, hope and concern conveyed in these minutes - just like each of their albums that has come before it - i just wish they would step back, create a little more nuance in the quiet spaces, let the violins whine a little bit more and paint a sky's sunset tactfully instead of throwing paint against a canvas aggressively to a point that eventually a pattern emerges when it dries.    … Expand
  4. Gibbous
    May 11, 2020
    4
    On Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress, Godspeed You! Black Emperor give a masterclass on how not to make a Godspeed You! Black Emperor album.On Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress, Godspeed You! Black Emperor give a masterclass on how not to make a Godspeed You! Black Emperor album.

    Best Tracks: Parts of Peasantry, or "Light! Inside of Light!"
    Worst Tracks: Asunder, Sweet    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

56
#56 Best Album of 2015