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Blowback - Tricky
Metascore
65 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 16
  3. Negative: 1 out of 16
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  1. Mixer
    90
    His most refined sound to date. [Jul 2001, p.80]
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  2. Launch.com
    90
    Tricky's most upbeat and accessible album ever, occasionally hinting at his noirish trip hop masterpiece, Maxinquaye.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Sellout, you say? Think again: Tricky provides just enough wicked topspin to give his pop a loopy bounce. [13 July 2001, p.86]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Billboard
    80
    Breathtaking and beautiful, as well as haunting and bleak...
  5. Rolling Stone
    70
    The album veers from dreamily childlike to furiously metallic, from bouncy dance-hall reggae to funked-up TV-theme fun. There's even a pop single or two.
  6. Dot Music
    70
    When he's left to his own devices, he appears to be on firing form, creating music that sits happily between the frenzied aggro mantras of his darkest days and the beautifully evocative wonder of his debut.
  7. Mojo
    70
    He's made the album he should've made right after Maxinquaye -- i.e., a listenable one. [Jul 2001, p.112]
    All this publication's reviews
  8. Splendid
    70
    Remove "Girls" and "Wonder Woman" from Blowback and you'd have a solid album.
  9. E! Online
    67
    The worst part of Tricky's comeback disc is, well, Tricky himself.
  10. Neumu.net
    60
    Where Maxinquaye was both engaging and coherent, working up to a kind of weird gestalt by way of good songs and dark sounds, Blowback is hit-and-miss.
  11. New Musical Express (NME)
    60
    The first thing that strikes you about Tricky's sixth album is how, despite the size of the project - the collaborators, the much-trumpeted 'new directions', the very fact that this is the new Tricky album, fergawdsakes - it manages to sound so underwhelming.
  12. Alternative Press
    60
    A feel-good collection of (mostly) poppy songcraft. [Aug 2001, p.103]
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  13. Spin
    50
    A blatant stab for radio... [Aug 2001, p.134]
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  14. The Wire
    50
    Much of this fascinating, infuriating record is defined by his commingling of HipHop, Electro, dancehall, and, most problematically, stadium alt.rock... Some of it is just odd enough to work. [#209, p.62]
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  15. Sonicnet
    40
    It's too lightweight and silly to appeal to those looking for musical innovation, and the songs aren't focused or fully developed enough to grab new fans. Mostly, it's just a really annoying album.
  16. Armchair DJ
    20
    An LP full of nothing but compromises and dried-up creativity.
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User Reviews

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User Score
8.1 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 1 out of 3
  1. CalR
    5
    Reception to this album was incredibly negative, and whilst I am not inciting an album of the year award, Blowback is still a mediocre experience. Evolution Revolution Love may well be Tricky's most catchy single, but this eclectic mix is too much of a compilation tape than a listenable album.… Full Review »
  2. yeeha
    0
    the worst album i've ever bought
  3. SarahC
    8
    B a d A s s !! This album has some hot beats, and as always Trickys brilliance and talent shines without effort through his, (as always), great lyrics!… Full Review »
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