"[Top 20 Albums of 2003- 10 Records You Missed] - It's easy to see why the indie-rock party poopers might overlook this. John Roderick is an unabashed romantic who takes everything hipsters disdain- sentimentalism, cheerfulness, daydreaming- and throws it back in their faces. Under his direction, classic-rock guitar work melts into sunny vocal harmonies, creating songs that practically squirm with joy. This isn't music that indulges in too-clever dialogue; it's the sound of pretension falling by the way-side."  (Magnet)

"Beaming in from Seattle, the Winters rain down sing-along sunshine- the most beautiful album you'll hear this year."  (Details)

"I wonder if, as I continue to listen nonstop to "When I Pretend to Fall" (Barsuk) by the Seattle band the Long Winters and "Down the River of Golden Dreams" (Jagjaguwar) by the Austin, Tex., band Okkervil River, I will not regret omitting those discs from last year's list. Both are smart, catchy, near-perfect indie-rock records. Long Winters come on crisp, clean and melodic (especially on the fantastic "Blue Diamonds" and "Cinnamon")."  (New York Times)

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