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Brass Knuckles
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 12 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 2 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Universal
Release Date: 16 September 2008
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Rap
Summary
The long-delayed fifth album for the rapper features guests such as Akon, Ashanti, Chuck D, Fergie, L.L. Cool J, R. Kelly, T.I., Rick Ross, and Snoop Dogg.
Also By This Artist: Nellyville Suit Sweat
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...
RapReviews.com
Put a little pop in your life and what you'll discover is that underneath the materialistic veneer Nelly's got a good delivery, sharp lyrics and impeccable breath control, which would make him #1 no matter WHERE he was from.
Read Full Review >Billboard
Skeptics might wonder if the sprawling guest list is an admission of fading commercial prowess. So, it's to the MC's credit that Brass Knuckles still feels like a party.
Read Full Review >Village Voice
The real problem, though, isn't the music (accomplished and catchy enough for distracted listening), nor is it Nelly's own verses (more stylish than substantive, as always). Rather, it's that a dedicated capitalist--hear his "Buy me the mall" manifesto on 'Hold Up'--is using a business model that's on its way to extinction.
Read Full Review >Boston Globe
Brass Knuckles is 14 songs long. All of them could be singles. None of them could be hits.
Read Full Review >musicOMH.com
Nelly's latest offering is hopefully the beginning of the renaissance of an artist who most definitely was starting to look guilty of selling out.
Read Full Review >Rolling Stone
On his fifth album, he mostly sticks to that pop-rap formula, cranking his distinctly melodic flow to hyper-speeds and playing the good-natured hedonist on cuts like 'Party People.' But when he tries to come off hard on a handful of Dirty South brawlers, he ends up sounding generic
Read Full Review >NOW Magazine
It’s sure not a knockout, but it’s his hardest-hitting album yet. Just don’t call it a comeback.
Read Full Review >PopMatters
There’s nothing that’s boldly offensive or immediately dismissible, save a few slight missteps.
Read Full Review >Slant Magazine
Brass Knuckles sounds less like the product of a fighter who's ready to go back into the ring than one who's stalling for time.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 7.5 (out of 10) based on 2 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
