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Zero 7
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
An Other Cup
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 18 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 41 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Atlantic
Release Date: 14 November 2006
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Pop, Rock
Summary
Yusuf Islam (who seems to have lost the "Islam" portion of his name), better known by his former name of Cat Stevens, returns with his first album of pop songs since 1978.
Also By This Artist: Roadsinger (To Warm You Through The Night)
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...
Mojo
Songs that any liberal-minded Cat Stevens fan will adore. [Dec 2006, p.120]
Sputnikmusic
Yusuf hasn't missed a beat, as this is still the same sound he made famous on 70s staple "Tea for the Tillerman" and later perfected on "Teaser and the Firecat", and while it's certainly not as impactful, I'm comfortable saying that "An Other Cup" comes pretty close.
Read Full Review >Entertainment Weekly
The folky arrangements, melancholic singing, and romantic worldview of his early work are intact. [17 Nov 2006, p.127]
Los Angeles Times
Can the dedicated Muslim now known as Yusuf Islam, for that matter, recapture the welcoming seeker's voice he plied so well in nonsectarian hymns such as "Morning Has Broken"? The answer gently conveyed here is yes, despite a few zealous missteps.
Read Full Review >Blender
The bullying production threatens to obliterate what’s good here: A half-dozen gentle seeker’s songs with meditative acoustic textures and lyrics advocating reasonableness among humankind, which was always Cat Stevens’s domain.
Read Full Review >Hartford Courant
These new tunes are lovely, thoughtful and gentle, though they don't quite match his best songs.
Read Full Review >Spin
Yusuf's supple folk tunes predictably take a more spiritual route, yet largely avoid cosmic corn. [Dec 2006, p.104]
Q Magazine
A remarkable balancing act. [Jan 2007, p.150]
Lost At Sea
Skipping over a few songs, such as "When Butterflies Leave" and "Whispers From A Spiritual Garden" — because who wants to hear spiritual babbling when Islam can sing so diatonically correct — the album flourishes into a masterpiece of sincerity to its core.
Read Full Review >Billboard
It doesn't all hit home, but at its best ("Heaven/ Where True Love Goes," "In the End," "Green Fields, Golden Sands"), this record is uplifting enough to satisfy even a 30-year thirst. [18 Nov 2006]
musicOMH.com
The Cat is back, albeit more of a moonshadow of his former self and lacking some purr and bite.
Read Full Review >The New York Times
The old Cat Stevens, who pondered earthly loves and sorrows and spiritual yearning, has been replaced by a songwriter who finds all his answers in faith. [13 Nov 2006]
Observer Music Monthly
Though the songs are all praises to the Creator (or His prophet), there is little sense of joy.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 8.9 (out of 10) based on 41 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
swatijr gave it a9:
it's been too long. i appreciate this man as a being and being full of talent that needs to be expressed and heard. his message expresses what many felt before and still feel. it is a timely return and "come back." his spirituality and positivity, yet deep introspection is apparent. it's the cat we've always loved. and still do. i look forward to seeing what comes next. let's hope it's not another 28 yrs!
cats fan gave it a10:
I am too youbg to be a cat steven fan. but after listening to the album few times and making sense of it. i will say that the mass media didnt give cats his due. this album is terrific. the message in it is amazing. its very simple and universal. the man is muslim so its natural for him to refer to his faith. i recommend this album for all
Albert F. gave it a9:
Cat's still got it - he can still write catchy melodies with thought-provoking and spiritual messages. He hasn't lost a beat, despite a 28-year hiatus from pop music. My only disappointment is that two of his best recent songs, "Indian Ocean" and "The Wind East and West" were omiited.
Nur J. gave it a10:
Superb. Yusuf's songwriting has aged, like fine wine. Peaceful, sure, and deeply contemplative. He must be a Sufi!
Jack A gave it a10:
Amazing, just amazing, where where you Yusuf?
ghadeer gave it a10:
great
Cyrena A gave it a10:
The best album of the year!!!! Nothing more mellow and true than Yusuf Islam's An Other Cup
