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If I Was
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If I Was Image
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

  • Summary: The second full-length release for the British folk-influenced sister trio was produced by Justin Vernon of Bon Iver.
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Top Track

Make It Holy
I could make you want me Make you need me, make you mine I could make it holy, make it special Make it right I could make you want me Make you need... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. The Line of Best Fit
    Mar 25, 2015
    85
    The complexity in the arrangements of some of the harmonies on this record show them off individually and their obvious synergy as sisters.
  2. Drowned In Sound
    Mar 25, 2015
    80
    The Staves have added all sorts of bells and whistles to their sound. They all work.
  3. Uncut
    Mar 19, 2015
    80
    Their sound has nonetheless developed in intensity and sophistication.... Beautiful. [Mar 2015, p.83]
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  4. The 405
    Mar 27, 2015
    80
    Throughout, the vocals are natural and organic which allowed an artistic endeavour like If I Was to even take shape. Growth is the life force of any artist. If I Was is proof of this.
  5. Consequence
    Apr 1, 2015
    75
    Though these songs are stripped down and subtle, they achieve a heightened emotional state.
  6. Magnet
    Jun 4, 2015
    70
    Their combined voices are just so unfathomably, incorrigibly all-devouring. [No. 120, p.61]
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  7. Mojo
    Mar 19, 2015
    60
    It's an engaging, sometimes beautiful step forward. [Apr 2015, p.92]
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See all 13 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. Ricko
    Nov 15, 2021
    7
    I listened to this after coming across 2021's excellent "Good Woman". Between the sound of that album and the additional fact of Bon Iver'sI listened to this after coming across 2021's excellent "Good Woman". Between the sound of that album and the additional fact of Bon Iver's involvement in the production, "If I Was" ended up being far folkier and less contemporary than I expected. The songwriting is pretty solid as is the production. It's a solid album but there isn't that much that stands out or comes across as brave in terms of the decisions and directions taken. The Staves have a nice sound, lovely melodies, good vocals leading to an all round pleasant listening experience. The deluxe version, which is the one I've listened to, is probably overly padded out.… Expand