The Underside of Power
by Algiers
  • Record Label: Matador
  • Release Date: Jun 23, 2017
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
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  1. Pitchfork
    Jul 5, 2017
    58
    Algiers have produced a record that is timely and necessary but also scatterbrained and messy, one that is so over the top it becomes a political melodrama, undercutting the issues it seeks to amplify.

Awards & Rankings

32
#32 Best Album of 2017

User Reviews

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User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 60 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 52 out of 60
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 60
  3. Negative: 5 out of 60
  1. HugoPavi
    Jun 23, 2017
    9
    A step-up from their (already really good) debut in just about every way. Not sure if a couple of the almost vocal-less electronic tracksA step-up from their (already really good) debut in just about every way. Not sure if a couple of the almost vocal-less electronic tracks needed to be on here, but this is a damn good and necessary album that I see myself returning to a lot for the rest of 2017. The title track and "Cleveland" especially are two of the very best songs I've heard this year.… Full Review »
  2. EdenIsNotHere
    Feb 2, 2018
    9
    I feel bad for listening to this record now, it's incredibly good! I think the gospel vocals, soul and industrial elements add a lot for theI feel bad for listening to this record now, it's incredibly good! I think the gospel vocals, soul and industrial elements add a lot for the record, decorated with subtly noisy synths and pianos that are well executed and, for my surprise, it's more accesible than I really expected. Production and mixing it's standout while maintaining a certain lo-fi quality to it. An unorthodox approach to post-punk and blues that I rarely seen before in the past, and keeping it with a certain uncertainty, optimism but also criticism and somewhat dark, great lyrics. This is a necessary, inventive and original album that you have to listen now.

    STANDOUT TRACKS: Walk Like a Panther, The Underside of Power, Death March, Animals, Plague Years, Hymn for an Average Man, The Cycle/The Spiral, Bury Me Standing.    … Full Review »
  3. Wendigoat
    Jul 17, 2017
    7
    Really amazing band fusing elements of Post-punk with gospel and soul. Unfortunately a bit weak at the end. Standout tracks are Walk Like aReally amazing band fusing elements of Post-punk with gospel and soul. Unfortunately a bit weak at the end. Standout tracks are Walk Like a Panther, Underside of Power, Death March and Mme Rieux. Very interested to see where they go next.… Full Review »
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