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CRITIC REVIEWS
100
American Dream feels like Murphy's darkest record to date, and like previous LCD records, only gets better with repeat listens. In short, it's fucking glorious.
100
Who would’ve thought that a once impossible record would be one of the best of the year? After a breakup, reunion, and a few delays, LCD Soundsystem’s fourth record is a triumphant return for James Murphy and company. With more live instrumentation, attitude and sonic diversity than any of their previous releases, this is one that won’t disappoint fans or even new listeners.
100
Packed with aural allusions to Bowie and Eno, LCD Soundsystem’s comeback is a virtuosic tribute to their heroes – and themselves
100
‘American Dream’ delivers, point by point, on everything you could want from an LCD Soundsystem album.
100
American Dream represents a high point for Murphy, not only as a songwriter, but also as a meticulous sonic architect and an exuberant performer.
100
The lyrics are fantastic, the grooves irresistible, the ideas constantly entertaining. His sense of fun is infectious. It’s good to have James Murphy back doing what he does best.
91
It’s a beautiful work of art about aging, regret and an arduous search for meaning. It’s an expansive record that explores a variety of sounds and themes, but it never feels confused or lost.
91
As far as American Dream being better than that estimable trilogy that preceded it, well, it depends mightily on how you define “better.” It’s a beautifully produced, masterfully realized album, but it’s also a bit of a downer and an unusually slow burn.
91
As gratifyingly familiar as much of American Dream will be to longtime fans, it also feels like exactly the album 2017 needs — urgent, angry, achingly self-aware.
90
From head to toe, front to back, it bangs; but more importantly, it actually has something new to say.
90
Throughout American Dream Murphy is looking inward more than ever, it’s just that age allows him to apply hard won wisdom to his fears.
88
LCD Soundsystem have made a better album than they've ever done.
85
The rebirth of LCD Soundsystem is marked by an extraordinary album obsessed with endings: of friendships, of love, of heroes, of a certain type of geeky fandom, and of the American dream itself.
85
American Dream is the upshot of a darker, older, wiser LCD Soundsystem.
83
James Murphy and his band of collaborating friends have yet to make a wrong turn over the course of three previous records and American Dream doesn’t blow the perfect game, taking a low-key approach to underscore why people love LCD Soundsystem in the first place.
80
While its 1970s and ‘80s influences, whizz-bang synths, and froggy vocals are entirely recognizable, American Dream finds Murphy pushing his compatriots and his own psyche into new, unfamiliar, and often uncomfortable territory. Which is exactly why, as far as reunion albums by aging bands go, this one is about as gratifyingly unpredictable as anyone could have hoped for.
80
Like any other LCD Soundsystem album it will doubtless encourage folk onto their feet, and whilst Murphy may rue a perceived failure to connect, this is where he will unite others.
80
It’s still imperfect, but even its flaws are worthy of note. The long goodbye is now followed by quite a lengthy return. Long may it last.
80
The band may be best known for its dance-punk insta-classics, but ‘American Dream’ is, for the most part, dark as fuck.
80
It’s not that American Dream is subdued, but it certainly lacks straightforward party rippers like “Drunk Girls” and “Daft Punk Is Playing at My House”. That’s not an accident, either; this is, by a long distance, the most introspective work that Murphy has yet turned out.
80
For now, American Dream does exactly what a new LCD Soundsystem album should do: it brings back the rush that listening to the band always has, and adds a compelling new dimension to the band's sound — a mature, realist darkness that they'd only hinted at previously — that suggests Murphy might have been temporarily out of motivation, but he was never out of ideas.
80
Murphy had to earn our trust back with something meaningful; something worth the upset. With this poignant portrait of ageing and ennui in post-satire America, he has.
80
No matter the style or mood of the songs, Murphy's vocals are the main attraction, delivering snaky asides, heartfelt emotion, and insistent chatter in his trademark fashion. The years off haven't quite mellowed him or made him a crooner; he still mixes the tart with the bittersweet like a master chef. The years haven't made LCD Soundsystem any less relevant or important, either.
80
James Murphy and his wrecking crew of New York punk-disco marauders don't waste a moment on the superb American Dream – it's a relentless, expansive, maddeningly funny set of songs asking how a lifetime of good intentions and hard work can blow up into such a mess.
80
Making synths and guitars, songwriting and motorik rhythms all work together so well has always been at the heart of LCD Soundsystem. And thankfully, they still do their thing magnificently well. Age be damned.
80
Pop stares down the abyss, Murphy seems to be saying, so carpe diem – except, this being LCD Soundsystem, it’s more about seizing the night, where three minutes can unfurl into for ever.
70
The not-so-good news is that it’s LCD’s weakest album. That, however, is like saying ‘Abbey Road’ is The Beatles’ fourth best album. It’s obviously still great, and not just because it’s just there.
70
It has to be said that this album may not quite reach the heights of the first two LCD Soundsystems – though those are pretty big landmarks in any music fan’s book. Yet in a year that has also seen a number of other acts producing comeback albums (Ride and Slowdive spring to mind), this stands comfortably alongside them.
70
American Dream does offer a lot from a songwriting standpoint, and why wouldn’t it? Murphy is a skilled producer with a deft ear for melody. But he’s somehow disrupted that valuable balance of humor and thoughtfulness found in LCD Soundsystem’s past with a more sedate offering that is riddled with mixed messages.
70
american dream is a great reconciliation of the two sides of LCD Soundsystem: the post-punk side that wants to rock us to hell and the post-disco/new wave side that wants to get fucked up and dance. american dream draws out good reflections on the monotony of daily life and the sadness it often brings.
60
American Dream ... is effectively a straight continuation of its predecessor’s amalgam of electropop, new wave and krautrock, in varying proportions, with varying success.
60
New York indietronic legends LCD Soundsystem return with a tepid set of songs with washed out mixes and lackluster lyrics.
I let my 5 year old son listen to this album because he sad he liked music and want very much so I buy album for him but little later he come to me and say "daddy. this album [email protected]" I listen to album and he say; "PANIC AT THE DISCO!!!!" and me was shock. how can this album be allowed for childs? This album has blood and violins. lcd Soundsystem eat your vegetables!! lcd Soundsystem may no eat vegetable, my son eat vegetable!!
He is now life shock and he have to take ... read more
He is now life shock and he have to take ... read more
CALL THE POLICE THERE'S BEEN A CRIME THIS ALBUM IS TOO GOOD FOR ME TO TAKE IN DURING ONE SITTING SOMEBODY CALL THE POLICE
The triumphant return of LCD Soundsystem, American Dream is proof that the group has still got it.
Best Track: black screen
Worst Track: other voices
Best Track: black screen
Worst Track: other voices
END OF YEAR LISTS
| #1 | / | Diffuser |
| #1 | / | Fopp |
| #1 | / | MOJO |
| #1 | / | Northern Transmissions |
| #1 | / | OOR |
| #1 | / | Uncut |
| #2 | / | Piccadilly Records |
| #2 | / | Q Magazine |
| #2 | / | Spectrum Culture |
| #2 | / | State |
| #2 | / | The 405 |
| #3 | / | Les Inrocks |
| #3 | / | musicOMH |
| #3 | / | Pretty Much Amazing |
| #4 | / | God Is In The TV |
More Lists
MISC LISTS
| #3 | / | Pitchfork (Rock) |
| #5 | / | Exclaim! (Pop & Rock) |
| #26 | / | Drift Records |
Track List
- oh baby
- other voices
- i used to
- change yr mind
- how do you sleep?
- tonite
- call the police
- american dream
- emotional haircut
- black screen
In Library (186)
Contributions By
thisisabtlgrnd, patton, Jecole85, ellis, alegonzriv, CoL1, Candas, Edgeworth, this0nance
pitchfork.com
Watch LCD Soundsystem’s New “Oh Baby” Video pitchfork.com
LCD Soundsystem Cover Chic’s “I Want Your Love” 
Added on: June 19, 2017
