User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Better Day
by
Better Day Image
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 12 Ratings

  • Summary: The legendary country starlet releases an album of all-new studio material.
Buy Now
Buy on

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Jun 24, 2011
    91
    In the midst of hard economic times, the positive anthems that fill Better Day - all new material, no covers - come off as brilliant strategy, with some equally brilliant vocal performances.
  2. Boston Globe
    Jul 5, 2011
    80
    Better Day is among her most stridently upbeat albums, a feisty antidote to uncertain times.
  3. AllMusic
    Dec 9, 2011
    80
    Parton has never sounded fresher or more spirited, and with "Somebody's Missing You" in particular, she shows she still knows how to write a timeless song.
  4. PopMatters
    Jul 21, 2011
    70
    Her daydreaming music doesn't have that much of a tolerance for daydreamers, actually. This is humanist, open-arms songwriting with a get-to-work-everybody mentality.
  5. Mojo
    Sep 8, 2011
    60
    Dolly steps up as America's cheerleader, to help fight the recession blues. [Oct 2011, p.100]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. musicOMH.com
    Aug 22, 2011
    60
    Dolly has invited you to her hoe-down, and it would be churlish to refuse. Just remember to leave your brain at the barn door.
  7. NOW Magazine
    Jun 30, 2011
    40
    Best are her vocals – as strong, clear and distinct as ever – and the energy she infuses into the songs. If she's grown tired of her shtick, you'd never guess it.

See all 19 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. ManilaCritic
    Jul 2, 2011
    10
    This is a great album for Dolly. Its original and surprisingly addictive. Dolly is still here and she's not going anywhere. The only flaw wasThis is a great album for Dolly. Its original and surprisingly addictive. Dolly is still here and she's not going anywhere. The only flaw was her first single from the album.… Expand
  2. Tnmusicman
    Jul 19, 2011
    10
    I didn't think Dolly Parton could get any better. Boy was I WRONG. This album is a MUST for all country music fans. The positive and upbeatI didn't think Dolly Parton could get any better. Boy was I WRONG. This album is a MUST for all country music fans. The positive and upbeat messages are genuine and heart-felt. Parton delivers with clear, stunning vocals that have stood the test of time. Like a good wine, her voice seems to mellow and become even better to the pallet. It is a shame that mainstream country radio are not playing this type of material. I think the whole world would be a little bit better off with a daily dose of Ms. Parton's positive and uplifting perspective. Dolly, as long as you keep putting out this type of original material, I'll keep listening.… Expand
  4. neiljcrimes
    Jul 1, 2011
    9
    A surprisingly good album from Dolly, especially considering that the first single "Together You and I" wasn't too good (it is tooA surprisingly good album from Dolly, especially considering that the first single "Together You and I" wasn't too good (it is too over-produced and Dolly's voice is drowned out). This is not indicative of the album as a whole though, which has a very unique sound (reminiscent of her bluegrass/country sound on "Hungry Again" and "Little Sparrow). Indeed, "Just Leaving," the second track from "Better Day," is as good as "Shine" from Little Sparrow, a song which earned her a Grammy nomination. Her duet with Kent Wells ("Holding Everything") is a runaway success as well, and it deserves to be a hit. Her voice sounds so wonderful on this track, and she sounds so happy and in her element. The vocal harmonies of "Just Leaving," where Dolly is joined by Emmylou Harris and Alison Krauss, are also a highlight of this album.

    "The Sacrifice" articulates Dolly's new sound the best, I feel: It's modern country (the much billed "return to the mainstream") but tinged with a rootsy/bluegrass quality that gives it a noticeable edge from the mixture of sounds that were found on Backwoods Barbie.

    Not everything works: "Country is as Country Does," and the blues/gospel "Better Day" are nothing special, and her versions of the 9 to 5 tracks that occupy the end of the album are a bit hit and miss (the exception being "Let Love Grow," which is a wonderful conclusion to the album).    … Expand

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 If I don't make it, I love u - Still House Plants
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
92 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
92 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 1989 (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Black Bayou - Robert Finley
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
88 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
87 Bright Future - Adrianne Lenker
All Current Music »