User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Dumb Luck Image
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

  • Summary: This second Dntel LP for Jimmy Tamborello (also of the Postal Service and Figurine) features guest vocalists Jenny Lewis, Conor Oberst, Mia Doi Todd, and members of Lali Puna and Fog.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 22
  2. Negative: 3 out of 22
  1. Filter
    91
    What makes Tamborello so special is the fact that his music can stand as comfortably in a Kompakt Records compilation as it can in a room filled with indie nerds. [#25, p.102]
  2. Aside from... one unstructured, unwieldy track, Dumb Luck proves highly smart and skilled.
  3. The album almost has a mix-tape esque feel to it and the staggering amount of guests has much to do with this.
  4. Sadly, the only true victories on Dumb Luck are Tamborello's own title track and Oberst's "Breakfast in Bed."
  5. There are a handful of moments throughout Dumb Luck where Tamborello seems to forget the burden of expectations enough to overcome his natural reticence—it is somewhat unfortunate these these moments seem to come courtesy of his guests.
  6. 'Dumb Luck' will numb the pain for an hour, but you'll be buggered if you can remember anything about it afterwards.
  7. It feels like a mix-tape or compilation, an in-joke or doodle between the participants rather than a completed work for public consumption.

See all 22 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 5
  2. Negative: 1 out of 5
  1. JamesN
    Apr 24, 2007
    10
    This is a gorgeous album, that makes Tamborello one of the most important producers of music today. These dense productions are breathtaking, This is a gorgeous album, that makes Tamborello one of the most important producers of music today. These dense productions are breathtaking, and the vocals sit perfectly. Thank god for Dntel. Expand
  2. johnj.
    Jul 13, 2007
    10
    One of my favorite 2007 albums (so far).
  3. ShaneW.
    May 20, 2007
    8
    Pretty good. Definitely one of the better CD's I've bought in the past 3 months.
  4. ShutupaYourface
    Jun 17, 2007
    5
    Not even in the same league as Life is Full of Possibilities.
  5. matta.
    Jun 28, 2007
    3
    Listening to this, you can't help but pray that the poor quality is due to the fact that Tamborello is saving his best beats for the Listening to this, you can't help but pray that the poor quality is due to the fact that Tamborello is saving his best beats for the next Postal Service album. Something tells me that isn't the case though and this has just lost it. Sad. Expand