English Graffiti
by The Vaccines
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: May 26, 2015
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
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  1. Magnet
    Jun 8, 2015
    60
    This is about as '80s nostalgic as you can get without voting for Margaret Thatcher and hoovering up a pile of Peruvian flake. [No. 121, p.61]
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  2. The Observer (UK)
    May 26, 2015
    60
    They stick to straightforward pleasures.
  3. The Independent (UK)
    May 22, 2015
    60
    Whenever thoughts here turn to love, the results are not pretty.... But when antipathy rules, things go with a fizzy enthusiasm that’s quite infectious.
  5. Drowned In Sound
    May 27, 2015
    50
    It’s a good record, it honestly is. But good grief, it’s a hard one to be excited by.
  6. No Ripcord
    May 26, 2015
    50
    It’s not to say that English Graffiti is musically incompetent, though their impulse to borrow eighties nostalgia is more akin to that of perusing your relative’s baby boomer collection instead of following your cool uncle’s guidance.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 46 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 46
  3. Negative: 1 out of 46
  1. m_sawyer
    May 27, 2015
    10
    The Vaccines return with a real coming of age album that shows their past, hints at the future, and sounds really good now. Even when theyThe Vaccines return with a real coming of age album that shows their past, hints at the future, and sounds really good now. Even when they tone down a bit, they are sonically seductive. 'Minimal Affection' is one of the stand out tracks that just show how complete they have become, and the rest of the album (together with the 'Deluxe' version edits) reminds of 'AM' in terms of easy listening and sounding diverse, but complete. Here's hoping the boys will be with us for years & years to come, earning critical acclaim and stardom alike while growing musically.… Full Review »
  2. Ricko
    May 12, 2017
    8
    I liked The Vaccines debut up to a point. It was catchy and had a few good singles but ultimately it didn't hold up well to close inspection.I liked The Vaccines debut up to a point. It was catchy and had a few good singles but ultimately it didn't hold up well to close inspection. Album number 3, "English Graffiti" is a far more ambitious and confident record with a more expansive sound. They've still got their roots in Indie rock but it's as much psychedelic rock as indie rock with The Vaccines now resulting in a higher liklihood of the band enduring longevity than I would have thought possible after their debut.… Full Review »
  3. ottojan-dg
    Aug 4, 2015
    4
    A mixed bag that switches between semi exciting ("Handsome", "20/20", "Radio Bikiki") and awfully boring ("Minimal Affection", "Denial", "WantA mixed bag that switches between semi exciting ("Handsome", "20/20", "Radio Bikiki") and awfully boring ("Minimal Affection", "Denial", "Want you so bad", "Maybe I Could Hold You"...). Makes you want to give their previous records another spin, which is never a bad thing.… Full Review »
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