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All About Chemistry
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 12 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 7 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: MCA
Release Date: 13 March 2001
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Alternative, Rock
Summary
The third full-length from the Minneapolis band.
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...
Entertainment Weekly
More catchy hooks than you'll find in a fisherman's tacklebox. [3/16/2001, p.68]
Launch.com
Finally, a near-perfect pop disc from Minneapolis's Semisonic. While the band has always hinted it had the right stuff to deliver a truly great record, Chemistry is the first of the band's three releases to make good on the promise.
Read Full Review >CDNow
Semisonic's newest release, All About Chemistry, hits all the right pop spots, but will likely appeal to a very niche group -- the same group that embraced the easy, witty pop of bands such as Crowded House or Ben Folds Five.
Read Full Review >HOB.com
What it all boils down to is songs. Just as overproduction provides the perfect mask for some bands' mediocrity, the utter simplicity of this recording is the ideal way to reveal Semisonic's renewed inspiration.
Read Full Review >Rolling Stone
Chemistry works precisely because of Semisonic's skillful management of cliche, particularly Wilson's ability to elevate ordinary story lines with buoyant melodies.
Read Full Review >Sonicnet
But if "Chemistry" is a pure-pop sugar rush, much of what follows is equally sour, often falling into the thematic trap that snares so many post-hit albums: lots of songs about how success is really hard on rock stars and their girlfriends.
Read Full Review >The Onion (A.V. Club)
Semisonic hasn't exactly turned into Emerson, Lake & Palmer, but signs of self-indulgence have crept into the music, as evidenced by the nearly eight-minute running time of "I Wish" and an abundance of strings and fussy production tricks. But [Dan] Wilson hasn't lost his gift for writing memorable, brilliantly crafted pop songs.
Read Full Review >Wall of Sound
The results are not bad -- nor are they dynamic. It's shiny and it shimmers, but there's no fizz, no explosion.
Read Full Review >Spin
...melds Billy Joel and James Taylor... [Apr 2001, p.161]
New Musical Express
Semisonic are the lambswool jumper pulled over the eyes of people who have an irresistible soft spot for 'classic' songwriting. Fail to give their songs full attention - and God knows, that's easy enough - you could almost believe this is literate radio-friendly pop; just the thing for those blustery rides through an imaginary Santa Monica freeway.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 9.1 (out of 10) based on 7 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
James E gave it a10:
Simply one of the best albums ever
Philip J gave it a10:
I don't know how anybody can give bad critisism to this album, as there is certainly no room for it.
John C gave it a10:
Outstanding Pop Album. The songwriting on this album makes me feel really good
Matthew S. gave it a 7:
Semisonic are an easy target for barb-tounged critics because their music is simple, sweet, and, yes, a little sappy at times. But if you are willing to suspend your judgment long enough to enjoy Dan Wilson's gorgeous songwriting and the band's varied sonic textures, you might find something you like on "All About Chemistry."
Briana K. gave it a 10:
Pure talent when it comes to playing and songwriting!
