Dawes Oh Brother
Dawes's Oh Brother reads as a candid reset that foregrounds family, introspection, and the band's evolving craft. Across professional reviews the record earned an 82/100 consensus score from 1 review, and critics point to songs like “Surprise!”, “House Parties”, “The Game”, “King of the Never-Wills” and “Mister Los Angeles” as the album's most affecting moments. "Surprise!" is highlighted as a not-quite-center centerpiece about plans gone awry, while "House Parties" channels singalong earnestness reminiscent of the group's earlier strengths.
Reviewers consistently note themes of change and evolution, sincerity, brotherhood, and addiction woven through songs that balance sprawling ambition with intimate detail. Professional reviews praise the record's poetic lyrics and sterling musicianship, crediting Taylor and Griffin's presence for anchoring the collection. Critics agree that the best songs on Oh Brother combine heartfelt choruses with narrative clarity, making the record both a personal statement and a communal listening experience.
While the critical consensus is generally favorable, the review emphasizes nuance rather than grand reinvention—this is a band refining its voice rather than abandoning it. For readers seeking an authoritative Oh Brother review or guidance on whether the album is worth a listen, the consensus score and the repeatedly cited standout tracks provide a clear quick verdict: the record is a strong, sincere chapter in Dawes's catalog that rewards attention to its lyrical and familial concerns.
Critics' Top Tracks
The standout songs that made critics take notice
Surprise!
1 mention
"Surprise! — a six-and-a-half-minute not-quite-center, centerpiece about life not going as expected"— Tinnitist
House Parties
1 mention
"House Parties, a musical sibling to 2015’s All Your Favorite Bands, came toward the end of the recording process"— Tinnitist
The Game
1 mention
"The Game and Surprise! — a six-and-a-half-minute not-quite-center, centerpiece ... came as Taylor was settling into fatherhood"— Tinnitist
Surprise! — a six-and-a-half-minute not-quite-center, centerpiece about life not going as expected
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
Mister Los Angeles
Front Row Seat
Still Strangers Sometimes
Surprise!
House Parties
King of the Never-Wills
The Game
Enough Already
Hilarity Ensues
What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 2 critics who reviewed this album
Critic's Take
Dawes’s Oh Brother reads like a candid reset, and the review points to clear best tracks such as “Surprise!” and “House Parties” for their scope and sibling intimacy. The writer’s tone is candid and affectionate, noting how “Surprise!” functions as a not-quite-center, centerpiece about life not going as expected, while “House Parties” echoes earlier strengths in singalong, earnest songwriting. The reviewer emphasizes that this record, anchored by Taylor and Griffin, makes those songs stand out as the best tracks on Oh Brother because they marry sprawling ambition with the band’s trademark sincerity. Overall, the best songs on Oh Brother are praised for their heartfelt choruses, poetic lyrics, and sterling musicianship, making them the album’s emotional and musical highlights.
Key Points
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Surprise! is the best song for its sprawling, centerpiece scope and emotional weight.
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Oh Brother’s core strengths are sibling intimacy, lyrical sincerity, and versatile musicianship.