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Heroes & Thieves
by Vanessa Carlton

Vanessa Carlton reviews
Critic Score
Metascore: 79 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
8.9 out of 10
based on 8 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 45 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album

Vanessa Carlton's third album is her first on The Inc. label.

LABEL: The Inc.
RELEASE DATE: 09 October 2007
DISCS: 1 disc
GENRE(S): Rock, Pop

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...

80
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
80
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
80
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
80
PopMatters
Heroes & Thieves isn’t a perfect album and sometimes gets too idiosyncratic and precious for its own good.
Read Full Review
75
Entertainment Weekly
However precious her poetry can be, Carlton always pins it to melodies that morph and expand evocatively.
Read Full Review
70
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
70
Blender
An album this pretty can make you believe in romantic spells lasting beyond first semester.
Read Full Review
70
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

Vote Now! The average user rating for this album is 8.9 (out of 10) based on 45 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

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.

Bob V. gave it a10:
I love this album. The songs are so meaning full and the lyrics really hit home.

Kim gave it a10:
There is not one song on the entire album that poses as mediocre. Carlton again crafts a superb album that's just as delightful in it's panic escapades as it is in her story telling.

Peter F. gave it a10:
A consistent release and different from the other releases. While listening to her previous releases I felt that something was missing, but Heroes & Thieves proves that Vanessa Carlton can make a solid album. With a team of solid producers and better vocals, the album is more harmonic than the dark-oriented Harmonium. "The One", a duet with Stevie Nicks, is probably the best track on the album, besides "This Time", the title-track "Heroes & Thieves" and "Hands on Me".

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