Sign In to rate and review
CRITIC REVIEWS
84
Of Monsters and Men use Fever Dream to reject the expectation that they’re nothing more than a “made-for-radio” indie folk band, and based on these results I’d tend to agree with them. This could be the group’s strongest offering to date, and it’s a noticeable few steps outside of their comfort zone.
80
With Fever Dream, Of Monsters and Men took a chance and rediscovered their creativity, embarking in a colorful and bold direction without sacrificing their heart and soul in the process.
80
Fever Dream is evident of OMAM’s artistic growth, as the music features their unique fairytale fantasy narrative, but it is expressed through a more matured sound.
70
I suspect this album, like ‘Beneath the Skin’, will require a lot more than a couple of hearings for its quality to sink in but I can’t get away from the nagging suspicion that they may have tried a little too hard to find a new direction here when perhaps one wasn’t even required.
70
‘Fever Dream’ is the sound of a band that have had enough doing the same old thing again and again and want to try something different, and having the strength and conviction to follow it through and not really caring if it’s a success or a failure.
70
Of Monsters and Men lose some uniqueness and quality jumping on a more commercial bandwagon, but their beloved singularity is mostly intact on Fever Dream.
63
If, from start to finish, the whole record worked half as well as “Alligator,” it’d be a bold new chapter in Of Monsters and Men’s narrative. Years from now, we’ll probably just look back on it as a peculiarity instead.
60
There is no song on Fever Dream that is likely to eclipse, or even cast a shadow on the success of “Little Talks”, but this is a soothing, affable record nonetheless.
60
‘Fever Dream’ is an evolution they needed to take after an extended break, and it’s a beautiful explosion of colour which radiates the more you listen.
60
‘Fever Dream’ is perfectly listenable, but is missing the magic spark that made the Icelandic band a smash success when they first emerged.
50
Surprisingly, "Soothsayer" ends Fever Dream on a strong send-off, but it isn't enough to save the album. The steady tempo, faint piano and striking guitar make this one of the unique tracks. It only gives hope that Of Monsters and Men can find a more experimental avenue next time.
50
Channelling zeitgeisty pop is by no means always a bad thing; but when omitting the earwormy choruses it needs - and removing your own personality in the process, it’s only ever going to fall a bit limp.
40
Understandably, Of Monsters and Men desire to break through as more than a (admittedly sizable) blip on the musical radar of the 2010s. Suffice it to say Fever Dream will fail to accomplish this, though its decent musicianship should allow them at least another chance to try again in the 2020s.
40
For a group whose songs typically brim with rustic intimacy and traverse the wild, sprawling landscapes of both the head and heart, their latest feels like it sold off those land rights and opted for the lurid electric shimmer of the city.
Felt I've heard this sound being used before and one word pops into mind listening to this: misfire. A glaring disappointment after a long hiatus.
It's really sad how this band has fallen apart. From a somewhat unique sound, Of Monsters and Men is now a mediocre and middle-of-the-road group.
Strong 4
I feel like this album has been made dozens of times with a different name and cover.
Oh wait
They took a turn that I hated. Went on a pop journey and ruined what they're good at. Sadly, compared to the first two, this album is frankly laughable.
Alligator: 9/10
Ahay: 4/10
Róróró: 8/10
Waiting for the Snow: 7/10
Vulture, Vulture: 8/10
Wild Roses: 7/10
Stuck in Gravity: 6/10
Sleepwalker: 4/10
Wars: 8/10
Under a Dome: 2/10 (wtf)
Soothsayer: 8/10
Become a Donor
Donor badge, no ads + more benefits.
Donor badge, no ads + more benefits.
Advertisement
Track List
| 1 | Alligator 3:04 | 90 |
| 2 | Ahay 2:56 | 70 |
| 3 | Róróró 4:21 | 75 |
| 4 | Waiting for the Snow 3:43 | 60 |
| 5 | Vulture, Vulture 2:56 | 65 |
| 6 | Wild Roses 4:02 | 80 |
| 7 | Stuck in Gravity 4:24 | 60 |
| 8 | Sleepwalker 3:19 | 75 |
| 9 | Wars 3:37 | 60 |
| 10 | Under a Dome 4:33 | 60 |
| 11 | Soothsayer 3:35 | 85 |
Total Length: 40 minutes
Please stay on topic. To go off topic, head to the General Chat.
Sign in to comment
4y
I'm really enjoying the singles off this, maybe this will be the year they innovate and mature their sound.
Added on: May 8, 2019