SVIIB
by School of Seven Bells
  • Record Label: Vagrant
  • Release Date: Feb 26, 2016
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 35 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 35
  3. Negative: 2 out of 35
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  1. UglyMushroom
    May 10, 2016
    9
    I listened to SVIIB for the first time today as I was driving through a beautiful sunny field. I could see a thunderstorm ahead of me. For some reason, this album went perfectly with that feeling.
  2. lilkillpappy
    Feb 27, 2016
    0
    a lesser version of Bat For Lashes. Don't bother. The music has some nice tones and beats, but her vocals are inferior and the music gets repetitive and the lyrical content is lacking.
  3. proterospongia
    Feb 29, 2016
    6
    SVIIB is without doubt a grief album, but it is executed with so much joy, beauty and sincerity that sometimes the listener forgets about it. The problem is that this work is full of the same indie pop cliches that have put School Of Seven Bells behind their contemporary synthpop acts. As a final album, SVIIB brings its message, although its music is too constrained by common places.SVIIB is without doubt a grief album, but it is executed with so much joy, beauty and sincerity that sometimes the listener forgets about it. The problem is that this work is full of the same indie pop cliches that have put School Of Seven Bells behind their contemporary synthpop acts. As a final album, SVIIB brings its message, although its music is too constrained by common places.

    Best Tracks: Ablaze; On My Heart: This Is Our Time    … Expand
  4. SpaceboyScreams
    Mar 1, 2016
    5
    The reviews had me hopeful that I'd finally see a return to the originality of their debut album Alipinisms, which saw a good chunk of the songs oozing of their own unique charm and character. Every album since has been a repetitious slog of the same sound from beginning to end. Where's the swooning elegance of Iamundernodisguise? The ethereal cheer of Half Asleep? The sweet delicacyThe reviews had me hopeful that I'd finally see a return to the originality of their debut album Alipinisms, which saw a good chunk of the songs oozing of their own unique charm and character. Every album since has been a repetitious slog of the same sound from beginning to end. Where's the swooning elegance of Iamundernodisguise? The ethereal cheer of Half Asleep? The sweet delicacy of For Kalaja Mari?
    For background music this is a pretty atmosphere, but if you're looking for a ride, an anthem, something memorable, this isn't it. This shoe is all glaze and no gaze.    … Expand
  5. Custom_Concerns
    Feb 27, 2016
    7
    Channeling the Cocteau Twins, School of Seven Bells have made an extremely pleasant album with SVIIB. The dreamy aesthetic alone is worth a few listens and fans of the genre will certainly come back to the swirling synths and hazy production. The songwriting isn't fantastic, but it's still pretty solid, with some memorable choruses. The album wears thin by the end, however, as the sound isChanneling the Cocteau Twins, School of Seven Bells have made an extremely pleasant album with SVIIB. The dreamy aesthetic alone is worth a few listens and fans of the genre will certainly come back to the swirling synths and hazy production. The songwriting isn't fantastic, but it's still pretty solid, with some memorable choruses. The album wears thin by the end, however, as the sound is not enough to cover for the average songwriting. A very enjoyable album all the same, however.

    70/100    … Expand
  6. legendarysia
    Mar 1, 2016
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. EXCELLENT eXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......................................................................................................................................................… Expand
  7. HolyFloWelch
    Mar 1, 2016
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Great work! I love the sound, very melodic..............................................................................................................................................… Expand
  8. ThisIsActing
    Mar 1, 2016
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Awesome album. I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!................................................................… Expand
  9. sh4mw0w
    Jul 20, 2016
    10
    This album is a nearly flawless snapshot of two soul mates trying their best to understand one another, with their moments of joy and personal intimacy colored with the irony of grief and loss. These pop songs have a certain candor and beauty to them, and although instantly catchy, they it will only be understood and appreciated by some -- probably because really understanding andThis album is a nearly flawless snapshot of two soul mates trying their best to understand one another, with their moments of joy and personal intimacy colored with the irony of grief and loss. These pop songs have a certain candor and beauty to them, and although instantly catchy, they it will only be understood and appreciated by some -- probably because really understanding and emphathizing requires having experienced the sort of urgency and intensity in your own relationships.. A remarkable achievment that testifies to the depth of the love between two people, and how remarkable and uncommon it was in this world.… Expand
  10. andersolxx
    Jan 28, 2017
    9
    This album's a masterpiece, songs are great, but they're so underrated :( / Esse álbum é uma obra prima, as canções são ótimas, uma pena não serem tão conhecidos :(
    1. Ablaze 9/10
    2. On My Heart 10/10 3. Open Your Eyes 10/10 (the best one for me/ a melhor na minha opinião) 4. A Thousand Times More 9/10 5. Elias 8/10 6. Signals 10/10 7. Music Takes Me 10/10 8. Confusion 9/10 9.    This album's a masterpiece, songs are great, but they're so underrated :( / Esse álbum é uma obra prima, as canções são ótimas, uma pena não serem tão conhecidos :(
    1. Ablaze 9/10
    2. On My Heart 10/10
    3. Open Your Eyes 10/10 (the best one for me/ a melhor na minha opinião)
    4. A Thousand Times More 9/10
    5. Elias 8/10
    6. Signals 10/10
    7. Music Takes Me 10/10
    8. Confusion 9/10
    9. This Is Our Time 10/10    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

71
#71 Best Album of 2016
93
#93 Most Discussed Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. The Line of Best Fit
    Mar 1, 2016
    90
    It's simply stunning.
    Read full review
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    Feb 29, 2016
    60
    SVIIB is a fitting eulogy for a musician and a band ever connected with both.
    Read full review
  3. musicOMH.com
    Feb 29, 2016
    100
    If this is to be the band’s swansong, they’ve left behind something timeless and quite beautiful.
    Read full review
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