5:55
by Charlotte Gainsbourg
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Dot Music
    80
    How does such a rich soup of chromosomes and hired help come together? In a tinkly, whispery trinket that deserves a place on the stereo of every right-thinking beatnik.
  2. musicOMH.com
    80
    Everyone involved seems to work well together.
  3. Playlouder
    80
    '5:55' is a welcome addition to the Gainsbourg family's musical legacy, and we can't give any higher compliment than that.
  5. The Guardian
    80
    What stops 5:55 being a well-meaning pastiche, what makes the album touching rather ghoulish, is the sheer quality of the songwriting.
  6. AllMusic
    80
    As good as the atmospheric heartache of the first half of 5:55 is, it's on the second half, when Gainsbourg and her crew stretch out a bit, that the album really gets interesting.
  7. Urb
    80
    It's a delicate album that's simultaneously sophisticated and warm. [Apr 2007, p.106]
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  8. Under The Radar
    90
    The results are what you would expect given its pedigree. In fact, it’s hard to imagine Gainsbourg and company pulling this off any better. [#17, p.85]
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  9. Blender
    80
    This odd cast creates strangely beautiful moods. [May 2007, p.104]
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  10. Austin Chronicle
    67
    She sounds forever Gainsbourg – not a bad thing in this case.
  11. The A.V. Club
    75
    The results are predictably dramatic, but the album succeeds because nothing is blown out of proportion; Gainsbourg doesn't have the best voice on the planet, but her seductive breathiness helps boost all the subtleties.
  12. PopMatters
    70
    Chan Marshall or Feist she isn’t, but her beguiling charisma makes up for any lack of vocal chops.
  13. Magnet
    70
    The results are everything you'd expect from the guys responsible for Pulp's This Is Hardcore, Air's Moon Safari and Beck's Sea Change. [#75, p.98]
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  14. Hartford Courant
    70
    A collection of sleepy, emotionally blunt songs that feel whispered from the wee hours.
  15. Prefix Magazine
    80
    A stunning, grandiose pop record.
  16. Boston Globe
    80
    These gauzy songs are an ideal fit for Gainsbourg's dreamy, impossibly light voice.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 21
  3. Negative: 3 out of 21
  1. riianu
    May 20, 2012
    9
    These songs have really grown on me. There are so many layers to each of these gems. Wonderful, ethereal, comforting. A perfect soundtrack ofThese songs have really grown on me. There are so many layers to each of these gems. Wonderful, ethereal, comforting. A perfect soundtrack of my life. I realized too late that you don't want to listen to track 2 on a plane, though...… Full Review »
  2. MattD.
    May 9, 2007
    5
    Starts out nicely, but most of this CD has production that is too airy (not supposed to be a pun.) If she's trying to make Lilith Fair Starts out nicely, but most of this CD has production that is too airy (not supposed to be a pun.) If she's trying to make Lilith Fair more hip, she has failed IMO.… Full Review »
  3. AlanM
    Apr 24, 2007
    10
    Mom and Dad would be proud.
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