Vestiges & Claws
by Jose Gonzalez
  • Record Label: Mute
  • Release Date: Feb 17, 2015
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
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  1. AllMusic
    Feb 20, 2015
    90
    Ultimately, it's this ability to stop you in your tracks and hold you with the warmth of his voice as you contemplate your existence that makes Vestiges & Claws such an arresting, uplifting joy.
  2. Magnet
    Feb 19, 2015
    90
    This is an album with a lot of parts to fall in love with. [No. 117, p.58]
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  3. The A.V. Club
    Feb 17, 2015
    83
    Assessed independently, Vestiges & Claws’ progressions may be modest, but its adjustments cohere into a record of uncommonly evocative capacity.
  5. New Musical Express (NME)
    Feb 17, 2015
    80
    The record is littered with painstakingly layered guitar parts, mellifluous melodies and clapping drumbeats that nod to Russell’s posthumous collection ‘Love Is Overtaking Me’.
  6. Drowned In Sound
    Feb 12, 2015
    80
    Although the themes in the album vary hugely--uncertainty, fear, hope, regret--the quality and confidence of the music is consistent.
  7. Q Magazine
    Jan 29, 2015
    80
    This is graceful and elliptical songwriting. [Mar 2015, p.109]
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  8. Paste Magazine
    Feb 26, 2015
    77
    Although Vestiges & Claws may wander close to guitar-based, folk-rock homogeny, González’s musings offer a cerebral reminder to enjoy figuring out what it all means.
  9. Los Angeles Times
    Feb 17, 2015
    75
    Vestiges & Claws seldom seems cloying. Mostly, it sidesteps the mush factor to land on solid ground.
  10. Consequence
    Feb 9, 2015
    75
    Having self-produced the record, he was able to maintain a certain level of rawness with these recordings. Strings buzz and ring throughout every track. When the drums come in, they feel large and demanding. His voice is hazy, almost like a speck in his own musical universe.
  11. Spin
    Feb 19, 2015
    70
    Unlike on his first two albums, González twists the volume knob up just enough here to sonically divert Vestiges & Claws from its predecessors (or bedroom pop pioneers Nick Drake and Elliott Smith).
  12. American Songwriter
    Feb 18, 2015
    70
    Despite the adept lyrical approach, Gonzalez’ guitar virtuosity is still one of the main draws here.
  13. PopMatters
    Feb 17, 2015
    70
    Vestiges and Claws is simple on the surface, mostly composed of González’s voice and guitar with occasional percussion drifting in, but González makes these miniatures immaculate. They’ve been crafted over time and with care.
  14. Uncut
    Jan 29, 2015
    70
    Timelessly scented, you can almost smell the joss sticks. [Mar 2015, p.76]
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  15. Austin Chronicle
    Oct 2, 2015
    67
    González gently expands his borders without abandoning the center.
  16. Pitchfork
    Feb 18, 2015
    66
    Even when Vestiges & Claws exudes strain, González never gives the impression of truly challenging himself.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 26 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 26
  3. Negative: 1 out of 26
  1. SoggyBottomBoy
    Feb 17, 2015
    10
    This LP is the culmination of years spent carefully shaping an artistic profile unlike anyone else. González has taken the next step in hisThis LP is the culmination of years spent carefully shaping an artistic profile unlike anyone else. González has taken the next step in his creative evolution by returning to the folksy roots of his early career while also building off of the rhythmic ventures of Junip. There are so few musicians today who consistently produce profoundly original work-- González is the poster child of these artists. I already can't wait until the next release, knowing it will be even better.… Full Review »
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