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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.

Varcharz
by Mouse On Mars


7.2

based on 10 reviews
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How did we calculate this?

based on 4 votes
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Rate this album

MUSIC:

Von Sudenfed: Tromatic Reflexxions

Official Artist Site

This more typically abstract effort for the German duo is their first release for Ipecac and their first album since 2004's poppier 'Radical Connector.'

LABEL:	Ipecac
RELEASE DATE:	12 September 2006
DISCS:	1 disc
GENRE(S):	Electronic

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

All Music Guide

Jagged, fractured, splintered, and downright violent-sounding, it's easily the most extreme music the duo has made.

Tiny Mix Tapes

A much more serious, often less danceable, instrumental effort.

Pitchfork

This is an impressive record in many respects, and its hooks and patterns only emerge after many plays, but it's also an oddly distant one.

Urb

On Varcharz, Mouse on Mars crank out 11 new tracks that, for better and worse, continue to expand the boundaries of abstract music. [Sep 2006, p.138]

Spin

A masterful blend of electronic genres. [Oct 2006, p.102]

Almost Cool

In the end, Varcharz feels like an in-betweener album, where the duo hasn't quite figured out which direction they want to move in next.

cokemachineglow

None of the really experimental stuff is so egregious to mar the album; it’s just fairly disposable after one keen listen. On the other hand, the good, funky stuff isn’t quite as good or funky as it has been in the past.

Uncut

The saturation bombing technique is only partly successful. [Nov 2006, p.123]

NOW Magazine

The sheets of noise and absence of hooks hide some interesting ideas if you have the patience to listen for them.

Under The Radar

Two of the last tracks, “Bertney” and especially “Retphase,” end up succeeding where most of the album is lacking in finding the perfect balance between left-field beats and compulsive rhythms. Too bad the rest of the album doesn’t hit the same mark. [#15]

The average user rating for this album is 7.2 (out of 10) based on 4 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Kevin C gave it an8:
This Mouse on Mars records is pretty sweet and explores some new abrassive sounds.

a mcc gave it an8:
I dont see how anyone can make claims that MoM are being to experimental on any album. Saying something like that is nearly contradictive to the very being that is MoM. I perhaps like this record better than the last if only for the very fact that it uses much of the same sound and style for its basis but takes it further leftfield.

Paul H gave it an8:
I think they made exactly the record they wanted to, and did a damned good job of it. It is certainly more abstract than their last outing, but retains their love for beats and song. Ironically, that is what probably got "Radical Connector" accused of being "poppy."

mike s. gave it a5:
Alright, I'm biased as a hardcore mouse on mars fan. However, I'm disappointed with this release. It is a mess, and sounds dated. This mouse on mars album was recorded at the same time as their previous album. But its the exact opposite of their last album, not catchy, and way too experimental. Sounds like something that might of been good if it was released in 2000 or 2001, but times have changed, and so has electronic music, mouse on mars you need to evolve ur production skills r weak.

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Varcharz by Mouse On Mars

Varcharz
by Mouse On Mars