Amateur Night In The Big Top
by Shaun William Ryder
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12

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  1. whackattack
    Jan 9, 2004
    10
    Of course it's great!
  2. PatJ
    Sep 19, 2003
    10
    I don't think Q have heard the album I've been listening to. But then again they would have told us to ignore the sex pistols. Ryder is that rariety that has the courage to ignore the conservative and sadly conservative approach of todays music industry. The album is as personally powerful as Lennon's debeut solo album & Neil Young's "tonights the night". This is an I don't think Q have heard the album I've been listening to. But then again they would have told us to ignore the sex pistols. Ryder is that rariety that has the courage to ignore the conservative and sadly conservative approach of todays music industry. The album is as personally powerful as Lennon's debeut solo album & Neil Young's "tonights the night". This is an album that you need to spend time with. Amateur night is loaded with some of the most powerful lyrics you'll hear all year. Finally an album that's got something real to say. … Collapse
  3. Olly
    Feb 22, 2004
    9
    brilliant album, shaun my look like hes about to die at any minute, but he can still cut it makin music
  4. AledD
    May 16, 2004
    9
    Its absolutely fantastic. Great to see Shaun Ryder back especially on this form
  5. simono
    Mar 2, 2006
    10
    One of his best ever songs.No doubt
  6. ravethenineties
    Sep 29, 2006
    9
    Still going strong. Shaun Ryder delivers another hour of fun. Got me thinking of the good old days. Thanks man. Rave on!
  7. DaveF
    Mar 2, 2007
    10
    Bang on, what Pat J said in fairness, goes from piss funny to serious in the blink of an eye. The last tune, in 1987 is one of the best told stories ive heard in years if you get it.
  8. moschops
    Nov 17, 2005
    10
    An overlooked classic in my opinion. Big, squelchy dubby basslines and Shaun Ryder, sounding the worse for wear, but always witty and entertaining, recounting tales of excess from the Madchester era. What's there not to like about this record?

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
51

Mixed or average reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 5
  3. Negative: 2 out of 5
  1. AllMusic
    60
    Sure, it's more interesting than the still-born, awkward second Black Grape album Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, largely thanks to its intricate, layered production, but the end result is calculated without reaping the rewards of its precision.
    Read full review
  2. Q Magazine
    20
    Most disappointing of all... is the drab nature of Ryder's contribution: slurred, incoherent, and largely based around drug stories and lots of swearing. [Aug 2003, p.103]
  3. Mojo
    60
    The results career from interesting to neglibile. [Aug 2003, p.95]
See all critic reviews »