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All About Chemistry
by Semisonic


9.1

based on 12 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 7 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album

The third full-length from the Minneapolis band.

LABEL:	MCA
RELEASE DATE:	13 March 2001
DISCS:	1 disc
GENRE(S):	Alternative, 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...

100

Q Magazine

Not big, not clever, not hip, not trendy. Just fantastic.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Spin

...melds Billy Joel and James Taylor... [Apr 2001, p.161]

Dot Music

Palatable but bland easy-listening.

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.

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!

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All About Chemistry by Semisonic

All About Chemistry
by Semisonic