Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 22
  2. Negative: 1 out of 22
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    Wolfmother's ultraconfident tracks could unclog rock radio's weakened arteries. [28 Apr 2006, p.136]
  2. One of the stronger debuts of 2006.
  3. Urb
    90
    Wolfmother might not be the most original band on the planet, but they rock hard and, most importantly, without a trace of irony. [May 2006, p.91]
  4. A terrific gonzoid metal album.
  5. This is purely primal, instinctive rock and as derivative as it may be, it still sounds awash with originality.
  6. Where fellow Aussie pasticheurs the Vines get more depressing the more they manage to sound like Nirvana, listening to Wolfmother's hilarious attempt to board the long-departed cock-rock bandwagon - singing 'She's a woman, you know what I mean!' as if they have never seen a woman, let alone touched one - is actually quite fun.
  7. Unlike the Darkness or Eagles of Death Metal, these guys don't think this shit is funny, and instead of making them ripe for mockery, it makes Wolfmother that much more respectable.
  8. Blender
    80
    The riffs blast as if it's 1971 all over again. [Jun 2006, p.148]
  9. Uncut
    80
    Amazingly, it somehow avoids the drivel of The Darkness by sheer gleeful abandon. [Jun 2006, p.98]
  10. Q Magazine
    80
    Far from rocket science, but immense fun nonetheless. [Jun 2006, p.117]
  11. What makes their self-titled debut rise above mere pastiche is how capably they strike a balance between meaty vintage metal and crisp, stoner-rock melodies.
  12. They're songs infused with bite and bile, quite ridiculous, very bombastic - and let's make this point one more time - utterly, utterly thrilling.
  13. Rolling Stone
    70
    An intriguing garage-rock thread runs through Wolfmother's songs, broadening their sound. [4 May 2006, p.56]
  14. A young, kick-ass band with a dusty, unpolished garage sound, Wolfmother excels in what everyone else has already done.
  15. For all the strengths of the more straightforward songs, it’s the more adventurous fare on the album that hints at Wolfmother’s true strengths.
  16. Mojo
    70
    Wolfmother have a canny knack for a tune. [Jun 2006, p.98]
  17. The surprising thing about this retro rock trio is that it can actually rock.
  18. Their strength lies in the fact that the threesome are capable rockers with conviction, and just enough irony to make it work.
  19. At times, Wolfmother's unintentionally bizarre amalgams are kind of delightful, and the group does have a basic, brutal sonic force that is pretty appealing, but even at their best, they never banish the specters of the bands that they desperately mimic.
  20. The shelf life of this stuff can be fleeting (ask the Darkness), but for now it sounds pretty good.
  21. It’s not that Wolfmother are all that bad. It’s just that everything there is to say about them is best said by immediate reference to another band and Wolfmother always come up short in the comparison.
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 104 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 95 out of 104
  2. Negative: 4 out of 104
  1. AdamB
    May 1, 2006
    9
    I may have rated this as high as I have because this is exactly the type of music that I have been craving for quite some time. With the I may have rated this as high as I have because this is exactly the type of music that I have been craving for quite some time. With the radio waves dominated by whiney post-punk, derivitive idol singers, hip-hop, and slow'n'soulful indie pop...this album sounds unbelievably fresh. Although Wolfmother's originality and longevity are questionable, it's a fun listen and the perfect accompaniment for summer-time patio outings and road trips. For the most part, hard rock fans have been offered very little variety as of late. Other than the moronic blathering of blowhards such as Creed and Nickelback, or the yelling-centric stylings of Danko Jones, radio playlists have played very little to whet the appetites of those of us who, while not metalheads, do enjoy their rock served on the heavy side from time to time. Anyways, I don't want to ramble on so...check out Wolfmother. You may bore of it eventually but, in the meantime, enjoy their fun and enigmatic sound and reminisce of the days when Zepellin was the king of the airwaves. Full Review »
  2. Aug 9, 2018
    9
    Bands like Greta van Fleet should learn with Wolfmother how to get inspiration from various artists not only one. Yes, this debut has too muchBands like Greta van Fleet should learn with Wolfmother how to get inspiration from various artists not only one. Yes, this debut has too much elements of Zeppelin, but it steals and mix trademarks from Sabbath, Deep Purple, Hendrix, Doors, Rush's keyboard and Jethro Tull's flute. Literally a truly trip back to 70's. Full Review »
  3. Dec 5, 2016
    8
    An album of pure power. They may have an element of blatant influence from the likes of Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, but I personally don'tAn album of pure power. They may have an element of blatant influence from the likes of Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, but I personally don't see that as a bad thing. This album offers rock at it's best, with riff's that don't confuse, and vocals that fit. Tracks like 'White Unicorn' and 'Vagabond' show how rock vocalists don't have to be perfect to be - well - perfect. Each track offers something new, but still remains consistent. It's loud, it pays tribute and offers something new. Wolfmother have more than achieved with this monster of an album. Full Review »