Blak and Blu - Gary Clark, Jr.
Metascore
74 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
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  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Oct 24, 2012
    91
    Though Clark can occasionally get self-indulgent (some of the jammier songs here drift past the six-minute mark), his casual charisma is powerful enough to consistently hold together Blak and Blu's eclecticism.
  2. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    Nov 1, 2012
    90
    Blak and Blu is the very definition of a bellwether, and the resounding answer to all of the many who have predicted such greatness.
  3. Exclaim
    Oct 24, 2012
    90
    Clark can do it all and it's entirely likely that Blak And Blu will be recognized in the future as a moment when American music suddenly got a great deal more interesting.
  4. Okayplayer
    Nov 8, 2012
    88
    There is an earnestness to Blak & Blu, even in its bumpier moments, that holds your attention, even if it's the testosterone fueled bombast that initially grabs it by the throat.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.4 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. VivaMexico4
    9
    Gary Clark Jr. is amazing at what he does. That solo on "Please Come Home" is filled with so much soul I don't know how else to describe it. "Third Stone from the Sun / If You Love Me Like You Say" is just plain crazy. He has is own signature sound. It's kind of like how you can tell just by listening when Hendrix is playing, or Santana, or Jack White. That little lick he plays on that song (Third Stone form the Sun...) is derived from Hendrix's version but he made it his own. I like it all. There's something missing, though. I was expecting another song like "Numb" but with even more energy. Maybe Gary can create something crazy in his next album. I'd love to hear some Muddy Waters mixed with Jack White and some Hendrix flavor on a track.… Full Review »
  2. MetricStation3
    5
    Good, not great. Some songs have enough power in them to make the album worth listening to worth while, but ultimately most songs are skippable. Such a contrast from song to song does not fair well to a listener looking for consistency from song to song. Ultimately, this album fell short of its potential.… Full Review »
  3. anitquity
    5
    Half the songs are great, half the songs really are terrible. Way too over-produced and absolutely a grab bag of styles from song to song. Some obvious, heavy handed attempts at radio play sandwiched between fantastic blues. Listening to this album all the way through is simply an impossibility.… Full Review »
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