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Mr. Hollywood, Jr. 1947
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 10 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 18 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Spin Art
Release Date: 02 August 2005
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Indie, Rock, Singer-Songwriter
Summary
The Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter's first outing in five years is a loose concept album set in the year 1947.
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...
Blender
Happily, this structure is as mercifully loose as Penn's melodies are tight. [Aug 2005, p.113]
The Onion (A.V. Club)
There's nothing as immediately or enduringly memorable as "No Myth," but it's a solid piece of work throughout.
Read Full Review >Paste Magazine
Hollywood's fractured tale is underwritten by melancholy music that splits the difference between Mann's Bachelor #2 and Penn's MP4. [Oct/Nov 2005, p.138]
Magnet
Penn's precision in balancing melody, mood and texture throughout nicely counters the often-depressing subject matter. [#69, p.106]
All Music Guide
When it works, like on the rousing, sentimental opener "Walter Reed," "On Automatic" and "Mary Lynn," Penn knocks the ball into the bleachers, but there's an over-flow of mid-tempo pieces about halfway through that bring the record to a standstill.
Read Full Review >Rolling Stone
The best songs here suggest an alternate universe where Bob Dylan and George Harrison agreed to collaborate full-time.
Read Full Review >Tiny Mix Tapes
Mr. Hollywood Jr., 1947 won't win any awards for innovation and probably won't yield any radio hits, but that's perfect. This album isn't about creating the perfect pop song, but about creating a story that bridges generations.
Read Full Review >Entertainment Weekly
Many of the record's vivid, detail-heavy vignettes come off like PBS docs: intriguing but a bit dull. [5 Aug 2005, p.67]
PopMatters
As elegantly constructed as it may be, something's missing on Mr. Hollywood, Jr.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 8.5 (out of 10) based on 18 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
W X gave it a3:
I'm sorry... was I snoring? MP has a way of slicking me to sleep with that wash of gloss he puts over his moldering style and rusted-out concepts. Thanks for the nap.
Randy C gave it a10:
May take a few listens to get one's head around some of the sophistocated rhyme schemes and the period theme, but Penn's typically brilliant melodic structure and hooky chord patterns captivate relatively quickly. Fascinating imagery and meticulous production makes it more than just another example of great Beatlesque pop, but it's that, too! Another masterpiece of "literate, thinking person's pop" from one of the leaders of that sub-genre; easily one of the top 5 albums of 2005.
Dennis K gave it a9:
Fantastic songs, beutiful instrumentation. My one knock on this disc is that I think Michael would benefit from an outside producer (to help with maybe some sonic diversity, as well as the overall mix & mastering). That's really being nitpicky though, as this is an incredible album, both lyrically and musically.
Cindy G gave it a10:
After nearly two months of repeated listenings, this album continues to reveal itself to me. MHJ 1947 is one of the most finely crafted pop albums of the year. And it's pretty darn hooky too.
Mike C gave it a9:
Michael Penn views the year 1947 as a turning point in modern history. A Google search of the year and some of the album titles will attest to this. Consequently, his obsession with this particular year has led to this deliciously melodic album that improves with each and every listen. There is even a postscript song at the end to whet our appetite for the next release! Another milestone for one of America's great singer/songwriters.
meg gave it a10:
Another masterpiece from one of the best singer-songwriters around.
Adam W gave it a9:
Layers upon layers of both sound and meaning yield rewards even after repeated listenings. The "1947 concept album" stuff has been overblown. You don't have to be a history buff to enjoy melodic songcraft with an intelligent edge.
