Punknews.org (Staff)'s Scores

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For 515 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 60% higher than the average critic
  • 4% same as the average critic
  • 36% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 2.3 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Music review score: 75
Highest review score: 100 The Center Won't Hold
Lowest review score: 10 Just Like You
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 440 out of 515
  2. Mixed: 64 out of 515
  3. Negative: 11 out of 515
515 music reviews
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    • 95 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Skeleton Tree
    From the first note to the last, you’re transported back to a time you lost someone close to you and then retrace the path you traveled as you dealt with it. I doubt this album inspires anyone to pick up a guitar or start a band and the experience it details is too personal to inspire other bands to make a similar album. But, if this isn’t a masterpiece... I don’t know what it is.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Tidal Wave
    So many of their pop-punk characteristics have been shed but despite that, safe to say their music will always be anthemic and fizzing with vibrancy. Ready for radio airplay.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Bad Vibrations
    On this particular album, they achieve just the right amount of flair and flavour to spice things up with character and believe it or not, lyrical depth. Track-wise, there are some growers. Then you've got some tedious chores to work through mid-way but overall, the album ends on a fairly decent note.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    A Weird Exits
    With some new tricks as well. A Weird Exits runs a tad overboard and drags midway through but despite being about three or four tracks too long, don't let it slip by.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Take It, It's Yours
    At the end, we’re left with something quite different than the beginning. Where we once had two musicians paying tribute to their heroes, we now have two musicians demonstrating showing us how the masters do what they do.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The King of Whys
    May have just been two or three tracks too long but in the end, The King of Whys addresses a lot of things that we can relate to.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Love You To Death
    Love You to Death IS solid. In a way, it’s sort of like those now-cherished, then forgotten, 80s downtempo pop albums ala the first Human League and Modern English LPs.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Vacancy
    Fans will definitely find some songs on this album that are relatable and catchy. While some songs feel not as strong as others, the album still holds up for a front to back listen.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The Hope Six Demolition Project
    It's non-formulaic and filled with a sense of hope and belief. PJ Harvey singing about these things and building to reclamation and salvation is totally worth the trip. For fanboys and those who aren't. We need more of this in the world today.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Hypercaffium Spazzinate
    One of the strongest albums this band has released in thirty years.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Teens of Denial
    Teens of Denial is a contender for album of the year, to say the least. It’s the rawest indie rock record since The Monitor.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    V
    V sticks to Tiger Army's roots but wanders just far enough to stretch its arms.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Rot Forever
    Rot Forever is one of the most under-the-radar experiences you'll have this year
    • 63 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    California
    California isn’t a perfect record, nor does it need to be. It displays a band getting back on the right page with great energy yet struggling a bit to find equilibrium.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Turn to Gold
    There’s never a rush to get to a bridge or breakdown, but the emotion oozes out when they are loud and free, competitive yet supportive. They build on each other, like the Harlem Globetrotters of guitars. And man, when Diarrhea Planet hit, they blow you away. Lyrically, there's not as much to say, clearly less of a priority.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Bacteria Cult
    Tere is a great deal of fun being had by all parties here. But, unlike, perhaps other works that reference classic styles, this is no send up or wry reference, but a sheer appreciation for the work of the weirdo masters of yesteryear... as performed by the weirdo masters of today.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Basses Loaded
    Yet, with all these contrasting angles and despite the roadhouse crew bringing up the lower end, the album flies by breezily. Although the band has legion of dispatched formers bassists in their wake, it appears the band does play well with others. And not only that, they know how to use “others“ to great potential.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Outer Heaven
    On Outer Heaven, Greys take a major leap. Like, major leap. This will surely alienate some fans that prefer their more straightforward approach, but ambition should be rewarded.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    A New Wave of Violence
    A New Wave of Violence is a perfectly titled blast of energy made by the best there are.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Kamikaze
    The So So Glos have crafted twelve sing-along punk numbers. The Clash influence is crystal clear in both sound and message. Now though, the production value has been raised, opening the gates to attract new fans.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Tired of Tomorrow
    They move a rung up on the shoegaze ladder by toning things back even more than their 2014 record and what's even more noticeable is that quite a few directions taken here, ring similar to bands Yip worked on over the past couple years. Nothing, however, still have an extra something to their music.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Holy Ghost
    Overall, their sound's much tighter. Filled with more impact and warm, relatable moments. It's a passionate plea.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Gore
    Running at you full-steam ahead, seeing red and gutting you. This album is testament to the trials and tribulations they've endured and more so, how they've risen up.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Wilderness
    This album is like you're setting fire to your soul. And there's no better feeling in the universe. Because it has you feeling awake.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Music For Listening To Music To
    The release is energetic, genuine, and not concerned with being “perfect.” Emotion and inflection beats systematic skill every single time and the lighting pace at which these tracks seem to have been laid down only makes them more compelling, more exciting, and more genuine.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    White Hot Moon
    Overall, there are some flaws but Pity Sex make them work. Soothingly.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Welcome the Worms
    It's strong all the way through, and it'll make you wish there were more than ten short tracks.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    To Be Everywhere Is to Be Nowhere
    A record of imagination. A record of reality. Punishing and as accomplished as ever. They retain their best qualities--instrumentation-wise--and it's a pleasure to document how the technical skill of this band unravels in spades, yet again.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Goodness
    The closing few tracks aren't as strong as I envisioned but overall, Goodness hits the majority of marks it aims for.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The Dream Is Over
    Very versatile and loaded with replay value, prep yourselves for one of the best records you'll hear this year.
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