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To Survive
by Joan As Police Woman


8.3

based on 17 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 8 votes
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Official Artist Site

The sophomore album for Joan Wasser features Rufus Wainwright as a guest vocalist on one track.

LABEL:	Reveal
RELEASE DATE:	10 June 2008
DISCS:	1 disc
GENRE(S):	Rock, Alternative, Indie

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

While "Real Life" was so fully realized that it seemed to have a life of its own, To Survive feels more like songs written by somebody than something that materialized because it had to.

Drowned In Sound

'To America’ comes across very much a modern take on West Side Story replete with fine vocal performances from its central pair, sweeping strings and ebullient brass, it’s a jubilant finale to an album that, while never quite surpassing the evocative beauty of the band’s first, matches it with a keen flourish.

Observer Music Monthly

It's much darker, more contemplative territory; the songs are like intimate nocturnes located somewhere between classical and soul.

The Guardian

Her emotion-rich songs have become tender affirmations, such as the hope-sprinkled 'Honor My Wishes.' And the needling guitar, soulful brass and gothic piano of her "punk rock R&B;" are more evocative than ever.

Dot Music

An uncompromising work from an uncompromising artist, To Survive doesn't zip or sizzle. But yield to its gentle undulations and its hypnotic, brooding and utterly original genius becomes clear.

Hot Press

Dazzling sophomore effort from New York singer-songwriter.

Uncut

Voice and piano are to the fore, but Wasser's orchestrations pulse and ebb like living things. [July 2008, p.102]

musicOMH.com

Joan Wasser has shown herself to be an assured torch singer and original artist. To Survive is a challenge at times, but ultimately rewarding.

Q Magazine

To Survive, however, ignites enough fireworks of its own. [July 2008, p.1112]

Paste Magazine

On To Survive, her second release under the moniker Joan As Police Woman, she casts the same torchy, seductive, chamber-pop spell that made her debut "Real Life" such a pleasure, only doing it even more effectively this time.

Prefix Magazine

Wasser’s a collaborator at heart (she was a charter member of the Dambuilders and worked with Lou Reed, Antony & the Johnsons and Rufus Wainwright, who guests on “To America”), and she sounds most natural when she’s backed by horns and keys and backing vox and slinky grooves.

Under The Radar

Despite a few lapses into the conventional, Wasser has crafted the deepest and most profound album of her career. [Summer 2008]

PopMatters

While it doesn’t quite bring one up short as "Real Life" did, To Survive does something arguably even more valuable; it shows that the debut was in no way a fluke, and that Joan As Police Woman are in this for the long haul.

Spin

For her second album, she flexes more ambition, and the results are rewarding. [June 2008, p.110]

Mojo

Given the backdrop to Joan Wasser's second album was her mother's passing to cancer, it's unsurprising that To Survive also packs a soporific sadness that can be draining despite our hostess's artistry. [July 2008, p.110]

Boston Globe

Its title notwithstanding, To Survive is JAPW's happy-in-love album, and the lack of tension--romantic, musical, or otherwise--causes it to drag.

Pitchfork

It starts strong (with the pensive 'Honor Wishes'), and ends on a high note (with the title track leading into 'To America,' Wasser's duet with Wainwright). Unfortunately, the middle of the album, burdened with turgid low points.

The average user rating for this album is 8.3 (out of 10) based on 8 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Dejan S. gave it an8:
Not good as debut, but hell yes, this album is some kind of magic dream!

Chris C gave it a9:
I had high expectations and hopes as REAL LIFE was my album of the year last year. What I loved about that great record is here in spades - a real composer's approach to song writing and production, real maturity in sculpting sound towards a heartfelt end. More very subtle Satie references don't hurt. The sound is more ambitious and reflects a worldliness that still allows for vulnerability and - get this - no cynicism ! A unique and valuable artist - finally someone to inherit Kate Bush's crown.

matt allen gave it an8:
Real Life had the more obvious singles and stellar moments, but To Survive is cohesive and flows beatifully. Like Feist before her, lets hope Joan Wasser gets a larger following after this gem.

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To Survive by Joan As Police Woman

To Survive
by Joan As Police Woman