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CRITIC REVIEWS
100
This record might not justify the trying times under which it was created—what art could?—yet it captures them in a way that provides both comfort and catharsis to those who would resist. It’s an album we need right now, and will surely, sadly need again.
100
The Underside Of Power is righteous, vicious and vital. If the world is a stage, then at the moment it’s hard to think of a better house band than Algiers.
90
Algiers’ The Underside Of Power is an incredible undertaking and for the most part an incredible achievement.
90
As an album, though still swinging from one place to another with glee, ‘The Underside Of Power’ feels important, and very, very serious, as a body of work. It is one of the year’s very best albums, and sets out Algiers as one of the decade’s very best bands.
90
On The Underside of Power, they assert that even amid violence, darkness, and horror, that the human spirit is affirmed through witness and resistance, leading not only to solace but to redemption.
90
From the clean lines and disquieting ambiguity of the cover to the references to T.S. Eliot and the samples from murdered Black Panthers there’s no mistaking that this is a Serious Album - but hey, that’s a good thing.
90
There might be no other band working that so effortlessly transcends its myriad influences, creating something authentically new, disturbing and beautiful.
90
With The Underside of Power, Algiers are providing a potent soundtrack to the modern uprising.
85
The Atlanta experimental genre-mashers come into their sophomore record with no fear and a stellar sense of song writing that always excites no matter how far they push the limits of their sound.
84
Changes in the political climate have certainly brought about an increase in albums with a political angle over the past twelve months, with the likes of ANOHNI, Solange and Common among the most notable releases. However, there are unlikely to be many that are as relevant and as well crafted as ‘The Underside of Power’.
80
Ultimately, this is an important record at a time when galvanising young people to protest is needed perhaps more than ever. While it's presumptive to assume Algiers have succeeded, this record definitely won't hurt the effort.
80
From the political and ideological to the guttural and anthemic, Algiers angry voice remains a protest sound for these restless days and nights.
80
This is one of those zeitgeist capturing records, all done without compromise or a hint of triteness. Algiers were once a band with promise; now they've fully arrived.
80
The whole record holds a mirror up to society and asks the question: What do we want from our leaders, and ourselves? It's a difficult request often ignored in popular music, but it's a vital one for these turbulent times.
80
There’s a confrontational energy to The Underside of Power that encourages conversation, and not just rapturous abandon. It’s an unorthodox approach that immediately distinguishes them.
80
‘The Underside Of Power’ is heavy going, but completely, necessarily so.
80
Whether or not punk is “back” amidst this wide range of artistic responses remains an open question, but if what the world needs right now is confrontational, unapologetic art, then The Underside of Power rises to the challenge and succeeds.
80
Algiers blow the sophomore slump out of the water with The Underside of Power, a more intense and versatile album than the band's self-titled debut.
80
Intelligent, powerful, righteous – it’s not an easy listen, but it is a rewarding one.
70
Suggesting Birthday Party, Suicide or Public Image Limited taking a midnight leap in the mighty Mississippi, this Atlanta crew combines droogy post-punk rattle and churchy Southern roots music on their second album.
58
Gospel, punk, and noise fuse together for Algiers’ ambitious and chaotic second album. The songs burn with anger and grief, but lack cohesion to get the message across.
If you told me that there was a band that mixed Motown and gospel music with post-punk, I would have thought they were crazy and terrible but this album is anything but that.
Algiers’ blend of post-punk, new wave, gothic rock, soul, and even gospel makes for one of the most unique and admirable rock albums in recent memory, that continues to blow me away with its stellar production, engaging songwriting, and masterful cohesion.
Best tracks: Walk Like a Panther, Cry of The Martyrs, The Underside of Power, Death March, Hymn for an Average Man, Bury Me I’m standing, The Cycle
Worst tracks: Plague Years
Best tracks: Walk Like a Panther, Cry of The Martyrs, The Underside of Power, Death March, Hymn for an Average Man, Bury Me I’m standing, The Cycle
Worst tracks: Plague Years
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Year End Lists
| #7 | / | Treble |
| #9 | / | The Needle Drop |
| #11 | / | PopMatters |
| #13 | / | musicOMH |
| #15 | / | American Songwriter |
| #17 | / | Loud and Quiet |
| #17 | / | Spectrum Culture |
| #24 | / | State |
| #24 | / | The Quietus |
| #26 | / | Gigwise |
More Lists
Track List
- Walk Like a Panther
- Cry of the Martyrs
- The Underside of Power
- Death March
- A Murmur. A Sign.
- Mme Rieux
- Cleveland
- Animals
- Plague Years
- Hymn for an Average Man
- Bury Me Standing
- The Cycle / The Spiral: Time to Go Down Slowly
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Added on: April 28, 2017