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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
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Keep It Simple
by Van Morrison
The latest release for the Northern Irish singer is his first album with all original songs since 1999's Back on Top.
| LABEL: |
Lost Highway |
| RELEASE DATE: |
01 April 2008 |
| DISCS: |
1 disc |
| GENRE(S): |
Rock |
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
Observer Music Monthly
On this relaxed and cohesive set, Van's band fall into simple and graceful grooves and play like a proper group, not hired hands.
80
Uncut
So far, so agreeable, but a minor niggle is that Morrison evidently continues to favour comfortable rather than challenging accompanists. Then the album hots up.
75
Entertainment Weekly
True, there are moments during this self-penned collection of bluesy numbers that the Irishman does indeed Keep It Simple, but perhaps too much so, and it comes off as "Rather Too Easy" instead.
70
Rolling Stone
The arrangements are elegantly spare: subtle works of guitar, bass, keyboards, percussion, occasional backup singers and, at the center of it all, Morrison's incomparable voice, as expressive as ever.
70
Hartford Courant
At its best, Keep It Simple is a comforting dispatch from the fairyland where folky soul Morrison masterpieces like 1971's "Tupelo Honey" were born.
70
Billboard
The album is front-loaded with these relatively energetic tracks. Much of the rest ('End of the Land,' 'Song of Home') is resigned, reflective and spiritually attuned, but not always keenly focused.
70
PopMatters
Most of Keep it Simple has a demeanor of ease to it.
70
Hot Press
The Belfast cowboy keeps on making quality records
67
Austin Chronicle
Morrison's first collection of originals in longer than most of us can remember relies on a characteristic combo of jazz phrasing and bluesy riffs that should please die-hards and maybe bring in a few latter-day converts.
60
All Music Guide
There are no surprises, but when you do something this well, there doesn't need to be.
40
The Guardian
Seven of the 11 tracks are tasteful, blues-by-numbers shuffles, with Hammond organ and backing vocals; they are elevated above the norm only by Morrison's velvety gargle. Lyrically, however, he appears to have hit a brick wall.
40
NOW Magazine
It’s difficult to hear this as anything but self-parody.
The average user rating for this album is 8.4 (out of 10) based on 11 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
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