The Cost
by The Frames
  • Record Label: Anti
  • Release Date: Feb 20, 2007
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 29
  3. Negative: 3 out of 29
  1. Alternative Press
    60
    It's a bit unfortunate that the Irishmen decided to keep their songwriting and musical prowess stagnant. [Mar 2007, p.143]
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  2. Magnet
    60
    Pleasant if unspectacular. [#74, p.96]
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  3. Billboard
    60
    The set as a whole lacks variety and rarely shifts tempo. [24 Feb 2007]
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  5. Pitchfork
    52
    While there's nothing wrong with a predictable approach when deployed with expertise, it's disappointing from a band like the Frames.
  6. Playlouder
    50
    Alas, 'The Cost' is closer to the Noughties ipoddery of 'sensitive' folksters like Damien Rice or James Blunt than a Fleetwood Mac or a James Taylor.
  7. Rolling Stone
    50
    The album slides into tedium and worse. [8 Mar 2007, p.86]
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  8. Entertainment Weekly
    42
    The Frames just about define overripe, both musically (imagine if Coldplay decided to make its power ballads even more bombastic) and lyrically. [23 Feb 2007, p.99]
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  9. Sputnikmusic
    40
    Despite pulling out all the stops towards the end, The Cost is everything The Frames usually eschew: it’s bland, it’s monotonous and it barely achieves a tempo shift across forty-four minutes.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. Ricko
    Jan 4, 2012
    7
    having been a massive frames fan for a decade before this was released, this was a big disappointment. There are at least 3 weak tracks onhaving been a massive frames fan for a decade before this was released, this was a big disappointment. There are at least 3 weak tracks on this - unheard of on previous frames efforts. The inclusion of People Get Ready boosts the albums score. Too many crossover songs from the Swell Season album as well. Feels like Glen spread himself too thin across the 2 projects he was working on around this time. The fact that there hasn't been a Frames album (Strict Joy is not a Frames album no matter what anyone says) since this suggests that the band realised there creative force has waned.… Full Review »
  2. ToddH.
    Sep 17, 2008
    8
    Uneven, but with several stand-out songs, most especially People Get Ready, which deserves far more international airplay than it has received.
  3. MatthewP.
    Feb 26, 2008
    10
    A fine album! Glen hansards voice echoes a sadness that only a few artists can match. If you're after an arena band, this is not it! A fine album! Glen hansards voice echoes a sadness that only a few artists can match. If you're after an arena band, this is not it! This is real people singing about real problems! Real music!… Full Review »
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