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

Los Angeles Times

A bluesy, psychedelic witches' brew that feels like one long, complex incantation to keep us safe, to make us see there is indeed some kinda way out of here.

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No Ripcord

Not everything dazzles, but it’s truly shocking what does.

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Q Magazine

Her most purely enjoyable album since 1978's Easter. [May 2007, p.120]

Observer Music Monthly

Smith's rock poet muse is certainly alive on most cuts, her deep voice declaiming, yipping, soaring, and investing old lyrics with fresh dignity and rhythm.

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All Music Guide

Full of slow burning passion and emotion, Twelve is magnificent.

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Boston Globe

Captivating.

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Village Voice

Smith shifts much of her focus subtly away from the instrumentation and toward a song's intention and lyrics, with often revelatory results.

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Stylus Magazine

Remember that concept album Tori Amos did that was supposed to reclaim all those male-oriented anthems from their blowhard XY carriers? Smith paints over Amos’ tedious version and executes the idea so much better, without even bragging that she’s doing it.

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Billboard

Smith and her trusty band largely strip arrangements bare, lyrical and emotional content taking center stage. [28 Apr 2007]

New Musical Express

She sounds more relevant on these songs than she has in years.

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Uncut

Several of the songs seem performed out of affection rather than any sense of artistic adventure. [May 2007, p.90]

Rolling Stone

It's somewhat hit-or-miss. But when Smith hits, it isn't just a bull's-eye -- the arrow splits the apple and then brings down the bad guy hiding behind the tree.

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Blender

All too earnest. [May 2007, p.105]

PopMatters

It may not be revolutionary—in fact, if anything, it’s too safe to feel any impulse to disagree with it—but Smith’s conviction is apparent, and her commitment is respectable.

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Mojo

Although the album is marred by its over-consistent tone, almost any one of these songs taken in isolation--played of the closing credits of The Sopranos, say--would rightfully be hailed as a lost classic. [May 2007, p.118]

Paste Magazine

More Pete Seeger than Cat Power, her interpretations sometimes feel too internalized to startle. [May 2007, p.61]

Sputnikmusic

There is nothing radical or daring about the faithfully rendered tunes we find on Twelve.

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Hot Press

Twelve is a solid enough collection, but one can’t help wondering if it would’ve been better had she made like Fellini and called it 8 1/2.

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NOW Magazine

It appears Patti Smith could've benefited from an outside observer when choosing songs.

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Entertainment Weekly

Almost nothing here evokes Smith's old "Go, Rimbaud!" chutzpah. [27 Apr 2007, p.139]

Alternative Press

While Twelve's not an unlistenable record by any stretch of the imagination, it just begs the question: What's the point? [Jun 2007, p.158]

Spin

Patti Smith misplaces her fearless edge. [May 2007, p.90]

Austin Chronicle

It's not a particularly dazzling array of songs, and she seldom veers from form.

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The Guardian

At worst, Smith sounds like a bar singer bashing out oldies for the Saturday-night crowd. But at best, she pours herself into the songs.

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Slant Magazine

These songs are rendered so faithfully they may as well be karaoke.

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Pitchfork

The problem with Twelve isn't the staid song selection so much as this dogged insistence on staying faithful to the originals.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 8.6 (out of 10) based on 12 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Jiri V. gave it a9:
It is unbelievable that she managed at her age of (...) to return with such a strong album of covers. Covers of songs by Hendrix, Nirvana (must hear), Dylan or Wonder (the lyrics works!) are really memorable. Like covers? Try Nouvelle Vague!

Ray P gave it a9:
Some of these reviews are totally off the mark. How anyone can claim a banjo version of Smells Like Teen Spirit is sticking too close to the original is beyond me.

Steven S gave it a10:
Great CD

andy m gave it a7:
First off, to address "Todd W," this album is NOT patti smith's comeback...her comeback started with the fantastic "Gone Again." She's not starting her comeback here, at all. Anyway, the album is just so-so. There are a few songs that stand out (smells like teen spirit being the best example), but most don't have the same charm or magic of her other covers (gloria, Privilege, etc). It's nice to listen to - but nowhere near as great as an original album.

les g gave it a10:
Awesome! Best thing I've heard in years...fresh arrangements and interpretations of classic rock.

snap dragon gave it a9:
buy!

Todd W gave it a0:
There's been maybe a handful of covers done better than their original through the history of rock-n-roll. So why would a Hall of Famer, and I use that term loosely, endeavor to pursue AN ENTIRE ALBUM of covers? Simpletons. She's washed up and needs the money. The sheep who drank the koolaid in wake of Horses will blindly follow Patti wherever she goes, even into the crapper. Which is where this album fits nicely. Patti was on to something working with R.E.M., then she had an unfortunate original thought that she could make a comeback. A lame cover's album is not a good place to start, darlin'.

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