Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Negative: 0 out of 9
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  1. Mojo
    Nov 22, 2016
    80
    Now he only resembles himself--a distinctive and exhilarating vituperative voice celebrating anything from glam rock to beans on toast. [Jan 2017, p.102]
  2. Oct 14, 2016
    70
    The rest of the surprisingly accessible Smash the System follows suit, weaving in some solid singer/songwriter-y bits ("Bomber Jacket"), some Sleaford Mods-style post-punk ("Power of the Witch"), and even a dollop of neo-pagan Wicker Man-worship ("Cosmic Man"), all with a wink and a nod, of course.
  3. Oct 11, 2016
    80
    Smash the System never feels like a retread.
  4. Oct 10, 2016
    70
    Whether there’s a concept behind it all or not, he again demonstrates a knack for writing in a variety of styles while sounding uniquely himself.
  5. Oct 7, 2016
    80
    Smash The System is another complex smorgasbord that fans of Haines’ music and sense of humour will lap up. And that non-concept thing might just be another arch attack.
  6. Uncut
    Oct 5, 2016
    90
    Smash The System is looser, punchier, a surrealist pop masterpiece. [Nov 2016, p.28]
  7. 75
    Smash the System isn’t too forthcoming with answers, but it is a fully engaged conversation with pop’s past and present.

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