Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 12
  2. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Easily one of the year's top 10, if not top five.
  2. 80
    It's the breath-taking songwriting that clinches the deal here.
  3. Kasey Chambers has created a series of stirring, passionate songs that capture raw emotion and a simultaneous toughness amidst a blend of country, blues, and folk musical influences.
  4. Uncut
    80
    An album of tough-edged, passion-fuelled songs full of real emotion. [Jun 2002, p.109]
  5. Chambers's two solo records are more fun than a barrel of Foster's, mostly because she doesn't sound daunted by the history of the music.
  6. In saluting hell-raisers of country past, Chambers unintentionally illustrates she should be more of one herself.
  7. In stark contrast to most Nashville and alt.country products, even when the words let it down, Barricades & Brickwalls is carried by its classic sound.
  8. The white-girl blues thing very rarely does anybody any good.
  9. Barricades and Brickwalls paints a broad spectrum of alt.country/ bluegrass/honkytonk music, and that variety is its greatest strength.
  10. Q Magazine
    60
    It's a little one-paced over the long haul, and she does wail at inappropriate moments, but there's enough here to build on. [May 2002, p.108]
  11. Chambers' voice is a birdie chirp. She's sexy, but has less edge than the tiniest bleached-blond in the Dixie Chicks and half the sass of Dolly Parton.
User Score
5.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 2 out of 5
  1. MarkJ.
    Jul 23, 2002
    9
    A striking album. completely different from the manufactured music of today's "stars"
  2. ErikN.
    Feb 20, 2002
    8
    Her first album was better. She needs to mix up her genres a bit. Too much of the blues on this album. Still good though.