• Record Label: Fat Cat
  • Release Date: Sep 25, 2007
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 20
  2. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. With everything from the classic symphonic sounds of brass and strings to the creative dimensions of electronic sampling, synths and the violinophone, Mum certainly are experimental. The ambitious nature of which could be too much for some people though.
  2. Go Go Smear the Poison Ivy--though a significant step up from their last album--doesn't break much new ground.
  3. Uncut
    60
    Go Go... is never less than delightful--at its best like Belle & Sebastian having a stab at Portishead. [Oct 2007, p.99]
  4. There’s nothing terribly ground-breaking here, but it doesn’t ever sound like they’re just repeating themselves either.
  5. Mojo
    60
    For every glimpse of a hook or a memorable melody, there's a stretch of unfocused, sample-strewn electronica, all skittering art-techno beats and wilfully obtuse instrumentation. [Nov 2007, p.95]
  6. Through it all they maintain a charmingly chiming and cheery vibe that's probably the closest humans can get to making elf music.
  7. While this is certainly not a great record, it probably has broader appeal.
  8. Despite occasional flourishes, Go Go Smear the Poison Ivy is an average set by a band who should be far beyond releasing anything less than stellar.
  9. We can only parse this album as that of a brilliant group still trying desperately to reconcile its awkward youth into an identity, but only managing to hide behind a few ten-year old audio masks.
  10. The consequences are not always dull, and Go Go Smear The Poison Ivy is as enjoyable at points as the music it’s clearly drawing from.
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. Simon
    Oct 6, 2007
    9
    They lean towards the overly quaint and eccentric at times, but - despite line-up changes - Mum still exist in a world of their own; a world They lean towards the overly quaint and eccentric at times, but - despite line-up changes - Mum still exist in a world of their own; a world in which it's well worth paying a trip to. Full Review »