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CRITIC REVIEWS
90
This is a collection of songs that sounds simply timeless, and The Beths fully deserve every accolade they will no doubt receive with this album.
90
Expert In A Dying Field looks like it could be their well-deserved breakout and win them a whole new audience. It might be an ambitious claim, but as Stokes sings, “when you know, you know..”
90
The band’s third album is an exhilarating power-pop tour de force, replete with bristling guitar riffs and infectious harmonies.
84
To listen to the Beths’ latest album is to feel hopeful about the state of modern rock ‘n’ roll.
80
The New Zealanders’ third album takes their scuzzy, melodic guitar rock sound and adds extra muscle.
80
There’s a pop-punk sensibility that has characterised much of the group’s work and that’s here, too – though the songs on this album are largely serious in subject matter, the brightness of the Beths’ addictive hooks make sure it never drags.
80
A warm embrace to some difficult thoughts, this is the Beths at their very best.
11mo
80
The 12 tracks that make up Expert in a Dying Field are lean and propulsive, with hooks that get under the skin.
80
The vigorous, often zippy arrangements finessed at guitarist Jonathan Pearce's Auckland home studio offer chipper contrast to the subject matter, Stokes a thoughtful, knowing presence.
80
The mood of Expert In A Dying Field is yearning and reflective, as Stokes picks over the bones of relationships on mournful janglers like “Your Side”, punky rocker “Silence Is Golden”, the shimmering “Best Left” and terrific closer “2am”.
80
Dying field or not, the Beths' third LP is a reaffirmation that the band are ready and willing to go down with the ship.
80
With Expert in a Dying Field The Beths have created a bundle of sheer sonic joy that confronts, but doesn’t succumb to, all those neuroses most of us know too well.
80
The strength of the opening trio of tracks on Expert In A Dying Field is a potent reminder of their best attributes.
80
On their third album, the four-piece prove themselves to be as vital as ever, zipping between punk-rock connectivity and Midwest emo with ease.
80
The album also delivers on vulnerable, rock-solid songs, a juxtaposition the Beths continue to master.
80
The third album from the New Zealand quartet blends openhearted lyrics about post-breakup regret with a sugar-rush immediacy and a craftsman-like attention to detail.
79
The New Zealand four-piece remain among the most dependable voices in indie rock on sharp 3rd LP.
75
The record is strongest when the band’s bright and spontaneous indie rock acts as a foil to Stokes’ anxiety-filled lyrics. This fusion processes the tangled emotions of lost love and helps make it bearable—something few records can do.
70
An extension on all that they have done previously, it reiterates that the band are more promising, and worthwhile, than they at times seem to believe themselves.
60
Celebrated New Zealand crew return with a solid collection of bittersweet power-pop gems for anyone with half a heart.
60
Expert In A Dying Field is their third full-length and showcases strange dichotomies perfectly.
I listened to 2am at 2am look at me being a true fan >:)
This was a fun listen! I enjoyed the overall sound and direction. Indie Rock/Pop is one of my favorite genres, and even though I absolutely love it, sometimes yeah it can be a bit meat and potatoish. Here I don’t have that problem though. There a handful of bangers and the sound is consistent the whole way through. The production, singing and performances are all solid. The songs are pretty catchy too. I really love the energy ... read more
I am done with the drama of is this album that was supposed to be the album I wanted it to be plaguing my fucking feed every time I think. Yes, everything is disappointing, At The Drive-In fell off, my microwave just stopped working and boohoo apparently the Queen of England died of cringe after meeting with Liz Truss but who honestly gives a fuck? At the end of the day it's going to still be me, my cat, my wife, my kids and my far too expensive TV that I use to port pirated Wes Anderson movies ... read more
My family seems to have an obsession with these guys, and I get it. They're great. I really wish more people knew about them because they just make really fun music, and it doesn't sound like other stuff in the same genres, what's not to love?
I’m sorry, but this album is just completely forgettable. The Beths are a band that I love a few songs of but tend to dislike their full-length albums. There’s really nothing that’s bad about their music; it just tends to all sound the same after a few songs. The vocals are catchy, the music is fun, but when put altogether, it’s just becomes a mess of same-ness. The title track was easily my favorite, but even that won’t be sticking around for very long in my head. ... read more
I relistened to this today because of the one year anniversary / the deluxe coming out. And OMG do I love this album. It's everything that is good about indie rock and power pop. The songwriting is so clever and creative. Elizabeth's voice is amazing (I am partial to female Australian / New Zealander singers.) This is already one of my favorite albums to listen to in the spring / summer, it's perfect for that time of year. Most of the songs on here make me incredibly happy but there are still ... read more
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Track List
| 1 | Expert in a Dying Field 4:11 | 88 |
| 2 | Knees Deep 3:39 | 82 |
| 3 | Silence Is Golden 2:56 | 79 |
| 4 | Your Side 4:41 | 79 |
| 5 | I Want to Listen 2:12 | 72 |
| 6 | Head in the Clouds 4:01 | 82 |
| 7 | Best Left 3:58 | 76 |
| 8 | Change in the Weather 3:42 | 79 |
| 9 | When You Know You Know 4:08 | 78 |
| 10 | A Passing Rain 3:15 | 80 |
| 11 | I Told You That I Was Afraid 3:21 | 81 |
| 12 | 2Am 4:49 | 82 |
Total Length: 44 minutes
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Added on: June 13, 2022