Better Day - Dolly Parton
Better Day Image
Metascore
72 out of 100

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

User Score
8.8 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 9 Ratings

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

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. BBC Music
    Aug 16, 2011
    80
    Parton's 41st studio LP sparkles with the enthusiasm of a debut.
  3. All Music Guide
    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. Mojo
    Sep 8, 2011
    60
    Dolly steps up as America's cheerleader, to help fight the recession blues. [Oct 2011, p.100]
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See all 19 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. ManilaCritic
    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 was her first single from the album.… Expand
  2. Tnmusicman
    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 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
  3. neiljcrimes
    9
    A 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

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