Bows + Arrows

{{Infobox album

| name = Bows + Arrows

| type = studio

| artist = The Walkmen

| cover = Bows + Arrows (Front Cover).png

| border = yes

| alt =

| released = {{start date|2004|02|03}}

| recorded = April–October 2003

| venue =

| studio =

• Easley-McCain, Memphis
• Marcata Recording, New York
• Sweet Tea Recording, Oxford
• The Magic Shop, New York

| genre = {{hlist|Indie rock{{cite web |url= https://www.stereogum.com/1654472/bows-arrows-turns-10/reviews/the-anniversary/|title= Bows + Arrows Turns 10|last= Leas|first= Ryan|date= February 3, 2014|website= Stereogum|access-date= August 20, 2024}}|post-punk revival{{cite web |url= https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/post-punk/10-post-punk-revival-albums-you-may-have-forgotten|title= 10 Post Punk Revival Albums You May Have Forgotten|last= Lopez|first= Samantha|date= December 21, 2022|website= Paste|access-date= August 20, 2024}}|garage rock revival{{cite web |url= https://ew.com/article/2004/02/06/bows-and-arrows/|title= Bows and Arrows|last= Browne|first= David|date= February 6, 2004|website= Entertainment Weekly|access-date= August 20, 2024}}}}

| length = 42:35

| label = Record Collection

| producer = The Walkmen

| prev_title = Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me Is Gone

| prev_year = 2002

| next_title = A Hundred Miles Off

| next_year = 2006

| misc =

{{Singles

| name = Bows + Arrows

| type = studio

| single1 = The Rat

| single1date = April 19, 2004

| single2 = Little House of Savages

| single2date = June 28, 2004

}}

}}

{{Album ratings

| MC = 78/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/bows-arrows/the-walkmen|title=Reviews for Bows & Arrows by The Walkmen|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=June 14, 2016}}

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/bows-arrows-mw0000333332|title=Bows + Arrows – The Walkmen|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=June 14, 2016|last=Phares|first=Heather}}

| rev2 = Alternative Press

| rev2Score = 3/5{{cite journal|title=The Walkmen: Bows and Arrows|journal=Alternative Press|issue=188|date=March 2004|page=106}}

| rev3 = Chicago Sun-Times

| rev3Score = {{Rating|3|4}}{{cite news|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1518239.html|title=The Walkmen, 'Bows and Arrows' (Record Collection)|work=Chicago Sun-Times|date=February 22, 2004|access-date=June 14, 2016|last=DeRogatis|first=Jim|author-link=Jim DeRogatis|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906033340/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1518239.html|archive-date=September 6, 2017|url-status=dead}}

| rev4 = Entertainment Weekly

| rev4Score = A{{cite journal|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2004/02/06/bows-and-arrows|title=Bows and Arrows|journal=Entertainment Weekly|date=February 6, 2004|access-date=June 14, 2016|last=Browne|first=David|author-link=David Browne (journalist)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830235752/http://ew.com/article/2004/02/06/bows-and-arrows/|archive-date=August 30, 2017|url-status=dead}}

| rev5 = Mojo

| rev5Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite journal|title=The Walkmen: Bows and Arrows|journal=Mojo|issue=126|date=May 2004|page=100}}

| rev6 = NME

| rev6Score = 8/10{{cite journal|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/the-walkmen/7403|title=The Walkmen : Bows & Arrows|journal=NME|access-date=June 14, 2016|last=Martin|first=Dan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806194831/http://www.nme.com/reviews/the-walkmen/7403|archive-date=August 6, 2016|url-status=dead}}

| rev7 = Pitchfork

| rev7Score = 9.2/10{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/8572-bows-and-arrows/|title=The Walkmen: Bows and Arrows|work=Pitchfork|date=February 5, 2004|access-date=June 14, 2016|last=Carr|first=Eric}}

| rev8 = Q

| rev8Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite journal|title=The Walkmen: Bows and Arrows|journal=Q|issue=214|date=May 2004|page=111}}

| rev9 = Rolling Stone

| rev9Score = {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/thewalkmen/albums/album/4974461/review/6212896/bows_and_arrows|title=The Walkmen: Bows And Arrows|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=February 19, 2004|access-date=June 14, 2016|last=Caramanica|first=Jon|author-link=Jon Caramanica|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061105083136/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/thewalkmen/albums/album/4974461/review/6212896/bows_and_arrows|archive-date=November 5, 2006|url-status=dead}}

| rev10 = Uncut

| rev10Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite journal|url=https://www.uncut.co.uk/reviews/album/the-walkmen-bows-and-arrows|title=The Walkmen – Bows And Arrows|journal=Uncut|issue=84|date=May 2004|access-date=July 24, 2019|page=104|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724083232/https://www.uncut.co.uk/reviews/album/the-walkmen-bows-and-arrows|archive-date=July 24, 2019|url-status=dead}}

}}

Bows + Arrows is the second studio album by the American rock band the Walkmen, released on February 3, 2004, by Record Collection.

The album was self-produced aside from one song, "The Rat," produced by Dave Sardy.[https://www.popmatters.com/walkmen-bows-2496110515.html] The album received a great deal of critical acclaim, appearing on several critics' year-end lists. "Little House of Savages" and "What's in It for Me" were both included on hit FOX teen drama The O.C. "The Rat" was named Pitchfork{{'}}s No. 6 single of the year. "The Rat" was selected for the playlist on the video game Major League Baseball 2K7. "The Rat" was listed at No. 20 on Pitchfork{{'}}s top 500 songs of the 2000s and at No. 13 on NME{{'}}s top 100 songs of the 2000s.