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Zero 7
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
Heroes & Thieves
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 8 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 50 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: The Inc.
Release Date: 09 October 2007
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Rock, Pop
Summary
Vanessa Carlton's third album is her first on The Inc. label.
Also By This Artist: Harmonium
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
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...
Billboard
Fans of Carlton's indelible white-chick anthem "A Thousand Miles," on the other hand, have plenty to be excited about, since Heroes presents another batch of appealingly wistful reflections on life and love.
Read Full Review >New York Magazine
Packaged in big, bright doses of piano-pop, her expressions of puppy love are as irresistible as puppies themselves.
Read Full Review >Boston Globe
The driving finale, 'Home,' finds her asserting, "Let's live in the glory," and hitting a magnificent buoyant piano bridge that says as much.
Read Full Review >PopMatters
Heroes & Thieves isn’t a perfect album and sometimes gets too idiosyncratic and precious for its own good.
Read Full Review >Entertainment Weekly
However precious her poetry can be, Carlton always pins it to melodies that morph and expand evocatively.
Read Full Review >Slant Magazine
The material in general isn't exactly what you'd expect from an artist who left the nest in search of creative freedom and appreciation, making Heroes & Thieves somewhat less rewarding than her last album.
Read Full Review >Blender
An album this pretty can make you believe in romantic spells lasting beyond first semester.
Read Full Review >All Music Guide
Her voice is too sweet and girlish to command, her melodies mellifluous but not grabbing--but Heroes & Thieves flows easily, and it's a nice return to the strengths of her debut.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 50 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Mark F gave it a10:
Let me star this off by saying Vanessa Carlton is my favorite singer.I am not blinded by that and automatically say that evrything is amazing,I really try to explore for faults.On Heroes and Thieves.however,there is none.Harmonium is still my favorite,an amazing album that suffered because of it's marketing failure.I think Universal Motown coulda marketed this one better also...Anyways,it starts off with the killer comeback,"Nolita Fairytale",and from then on is truly stellar.She is nearly flawless!!!I recommend to anyone that enjoys great music.Can't wait for her fourth album!!!
Edward V gave it a10:
A inspiring album from a true artist. From my best to the rising "Home" ballad, all tracks have their certain qualities that place Vanessa as an artist of the millennium.
Patricj H gave it a10:
Her best album. Solid, well written, and catchy!!! Her instrumentation is less boring than "Harmonium" (which personally I found half good, half baddd). This album shows consistency. "Home" is by far my favorite!
Lonnie E. gave it a9:
This is one great album from the first song to the last. Many songs get skipped when I play full CD's but not on this one. Vanessa is such a talented songwriter, pianist and music composer and only wish more people would go out and buy this album. Vanessa certainly deserves much more commercial success than she's currently experiencing though I know because she's the class act she is that's not what's going to make her happy.
Zay gave it a9:
I, for one, am utterly in love with Heroes & Thieves. Yes, I loved Be Not Nobody. Yes, I loved Harmonium too. However, Heroes is a clear statement saying that the Vanessa we know and love is simply growing up. Her music has more focus, her lyrics are more experienced, and her vocals have definitely improved tenfold. Sure, Harmonium was more varied, but I think this CD is a big step forward nonetheless. Fools Like Me and Nolita Fairytale in particular sound really, really impress. I can't wait for her fourth disc! Keep rockin your stuff, V!
Aaron B. gave it a10:
After the "supposed" failure of Harmonium, I think this is the perfect follow up. I do feel that Harmonium suffered because it was not promoted properly, and I do feel this album is lacking a certain amount of promotion. Lets hope her upcoming tour will send her right back to the top. This is a beautiful album, and she is a wonderful musician.
Allen gave it a10:
Vanessa Carlton is truly an amazing artist inside and out and everywhere else.
