Skeleton is hitting the racks without a lot of advance buzz, but that's only because Figurines has the amiability and grace of a band too good to be pushy.  Full text...

Figurines take a risk with an album built mostly on hum-worthiness, but these hookniks show why Denmark is wise to dedicate a portion of their GDP on promoting the band overseas. Former single "Silver Pond" updates the typically retrofit dead end of jangly power-pop with contemporary signifiers. It's a feat the band manages to pull off again and again, track after track, over the course of Skeleton, and the true heart of the record: making the familiar seem fresh and giddy pop seem like indie manna. Though Figurines won't necessarily be the coolest band you'll hear this year, they may yet become your favorite.  Full text...

At times, the lyrics and chords are overrun with a quirkiness reminiscent of the Starlight Mints. Although an amateur sound bleeds through all the songs on Skeleton it is obvious that this group of Danes take themselves seriously. It is that seriousness that makes this album so enjoyable, as it affords the band a certain degree of confidence in their quirkiness.   Full text...

Forget the hype now; when they made this last summer, without hype, without de-habilitating expectation, they may just have created the finest indie-rock album of the year.   Full text...

If you ever enjoyed the accessible moments of long-standing US indie-pop acts such as Modest Mouse or Built To Spill, but longed for them to stop with the eight-minute wig-outs, Skeleton is probably the album you’ve been waiting for; from Denmark via America. You win this round, Ricky Wilson.  Full text...

It has sunshine in its music that isn't cliche, a range of songs that never let the progression slow down or stagnate, and an array of emotional explorations that are refreshing and accomplished.  Full text...

Sound-wise Figurines are indeed reminiscent of Modest Mouse or Built to Spill, that classically indie pop sound of jangled guitars and unexpected rhythms. The vocals are reminiscent of Wolf Parade’s Spencer Krug, who in turn resembles Isaac Brock; but Brock has more meat to his voice, a growling depth Figurines’ Christian Hjelm lacks. On Skeleton, this weedy yelp is so much of a focus that it makes the music seem hollow in the mid-range, ringing tinny and a little on-edge.  Full text...

A catchy, solid effort - but the Figurines don't create anything special enough to excuse themselves for ripping off artists who are dripping with indie cred.  Full text...