Volume 1

BNQT - Volume 1
Critic Score
Based on 18 reviews
2017 Ratings: #645 / 940
User Score
Based on 18 ratings
April 28, 2017 / Release Date
LP / Format
Bella Union / Label
Indie Rock / Genre
Sign In to rate and review

CRITIC REVIEWS

100
The Guardian

Egos are set aside for the greater good. All provide great tunes – they write and sing two each – and they entertain rather than indulge in introspection.

80
Clash

Singers aside, we have those subtle harmonies drenching every song, sparkles of synth, strings and flute, and those sunrise drums lifting everything. It’s utterly gorgeous and the best bits of Midlake still shine through.

80
The Independent

Despite their diversity, a mood is sustained through Midlake’s arrangements, which draw on fond ‘70s influences, from the glam-rock boogie of “Restart” to the sweeping yacht-rock sheen of “Unlikely Force”.

80
AllMusic

It's a remarkably coherent and listenable album that goes down very smooth, but not without the occasional moment of real emotion or foot-tapping fun.

70
Loud and Quiet

It sounds very much like you would imagine music made by a mash-up of late ’90s-early-2000s indie groups might sound: meandering and nostalgic with a clean, crisp production that really showcases the instrumentals.

68
Paste

Given the variety of approaches employed within, just about everyone scrolling through these 11 tracks should find an addled anthem easy to love…even as the album itself remains frustratingly difficult to like.

60
DIY

The quality of the songwriting is uneven, and the real intrigue comes from hearing the likes of Kapranos and Lytle in decidedly unfamiliar territory.

60
Under the Radar

BNQT have a knack for extracting elements from some notable bands to create a roiling and rumbling rock 'n' roll mixture, but the band seem more intent on rocking out and having a good time rather than impressing.

58
Pitchfork

BNQT is not a push outside the comfort zone for those involved, but further indication of restlessness from a collection of indie rock lifers, each of whose primary acts made their dent in the blog-rock boom and find their relevance dimming.

40
The Skinny

This is the least inventive product you could have expected from a bunch of varyingly inventive songwriters. Which is to say, it’s not much good at all.

VinylHound83
77

Restart - 80/100
Unlikely Force - 60/100
100 Million Miles - 90/100
Mind of a Man - 85/100
Hey Banana - 90/100
Real Love - 80/100
Failing At Feeling - 50/100
L.A. On My Mind - 75/100
Tara - 80/100
Fighting the World - 80/100

Average Rating:77/100

Overall Opinion: Supergroups can be fun! You can tell they had fun making this. The song 100 Million Miles and Mind of a Man are layered beautifully. I hear influences like: Iron Butterfly, The Beatles, America....

Purchasing Volume 1 from Amazon helps support Album of the Year. Or consider a donation?
Become a Donor
Donor badge, no ads + more benefits.
Advertisement

Track List

  1. Restart
  2. Unlikely Force
  3. 100 Million Miles
  4. Mind of a Man
  5. Hey Banana
  6. Real Love
  7. Failing At Feeling
  8. L.A. On My Mind
  9. Tara
  10. Fighting the World
Comments
Sign in to comment
No one has said anything yet.


Added on: January 30, 2017