The BQE
by Sufjan Stevens
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Observer Music Monthly
    60
    The gear changes on this particular autobahn are swift and sometimes a little clunky.
  2. Under The Radar
    60
    It feels like a project, something done for school as a kid, with the kind of whimsical subject matter that a child might dream up, but carried out with tremendous artistic vision and skill. [Fall 2009, p.60]
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  3. Boston Globe
    60
    It’s a fanciful and deftly assembled showcase of textures and moods, lovely and capricious. Taken alone, however, the music made this listener pine for a fistful of Stevens’s evocative melodies and commanding lyrics to anchor the ornamentation.
  5. NOW Magazine
    60
    If you love car culture, traffic, suburbs or Stevens’s lyrics, this might be where you turn off.
  6. Q Magazine
    60
    Inspired by New York's Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, The BQE is an ambitious orchestration to accompany the film of the same name. [Dec 2009 p. 127]
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  7. Tiny Mix Tapes
    50
    To be sure, The BQE score isn’t an utter failure on its own, but it’s clearly missing the dramatic effect found in the rest of Stevens’ eclectic seven-album catalogue.
  8. Uncut
    40
    It's occasionally very beautiful, but this is so far removed from values of immediacy and accessibility that Stevens' core audience are likely to be left non-plussed. [Dec 2009, p. 113]
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 21
  3. Negative: 4 out of 21
  1. thegoat112
    Oct 31, 2018
    0
    I still remember the morning I was disappointed by this album. I woke up and checked, my feed, absolutely HYPED for this new album. I listenedI still remember the morning I was disappointed by this album. I woke up and checked, my feed, absolutely HYPED for this new album. I listened and spat out my cereal. Sufjan, you dissapointed me greatly.
    -Sincerely, a fan.    … Full Review »
  2. tmaxwell
    Feb 23, 2017
    10
    The fact that this article doesn't have a user review tells me that people have given up on music. There isn't the ability to make aThe fact that this article doesn't have a user review tells me that people have given up on music. There isn't the ability to make a relatable relationship with what you expect, then it's not worth the time. However, if you have not heard this album when you are on the brink of original thought, you are not living. This is quite possibly the most brilliant piece of art I have ever heard, and no one even noticed. Do yourself a favor and live, give this album a try and you will see why I say that.… Full Review »
  3. dabartist
    Oct 31, 2018
    0
    Not going to lie. I expected more from this. However there are some good parts - like when it ended. At least I gave it a go, I'll tell myself.
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