Blurred Lines
by Robin Thicke
User Score
4.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 73 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 73
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 73
  3. Negative: 32 out of 73
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  1. Mab_987
    Sep 13, 2013
    6
    Before I start this, I wanna brush off the title track right away, since that's beating a dead horse & I'm more interested in reviewing the rest of the album. I'll just say that in the context of the album of the same name it's not among the best tracks but it's not really a low point either. For the record even though I'm aware of his decade-long respectably successful career as an R&BBefore I start this, I wanna brush off the title track right away, since that's beating a dead horse & I'm more interested in reviewing the rest of the album. I'll just say that in the context of the album of the same name it's not among the best tracks but it's not really a low point either. For the record even though I'm aware of his decade-long respectably successful career as an R&B crooner, this is my full-album introduction to the guy. In terms of overall quality, Blurred Lines really tends to fluctuate from track to track. One minute you've got a fun swagger-filled disco/funk tune like “Get in My Way”, then it's followed up with a piece of modern-day club vomit like “Give It 2 U” (which I really hope bombs as the 2nd single). To me, Robin Thicke is best when surrounded by organic instrumentation, writing lyrics that have some tangible level of depth, and taking full advantage of his soulful voice, particularly getting into his falsetto range.

    A perfect example of this working combination is “Ain't No Hat 4 That”, which shows some extremely catchy melodies complete with a soul-flavored horn section, while also sneaking in a message about materialism that's fun to sing along with in the chorus. Of course he can also pull off a solid light pop song like “Ooo La La”, but it's nice to know not every song in this style here is entirely like that. The last 3 tracks on the standard edition are when things start to get especially interesting in the lyrics department, those being the cheesy but sincerely sweet ballad “4 the Rest of My Life”, the interesting storytelling social commentary in “Top of the World” with a rap-like delivery is parts of the verses that somehow works, and “The Good Life”, which talks about being grateful for his past merely modest success with a steady 3/4 groove & singalong chorus that almost sounds like something out of a musical.

    But again, there are definitely some duds & tracks that make you forget what you liked about the rest of the album in the first place. There's the aforementioned “Give It 2 U”, with whining synths & painfully cliché hack pickup line guide lyrics, made worse by an embarrassingly disappointing guest verse from Kendrick Lamar. Same goes for “Take It Easy On Me”, except here at multiple points Robin also does a laughably bad Timbaland impression & says the line “I want to shop for your underwear”. And the acoustic guitar-driven (why?) “Go Stupid 4 U” is the creepiest, perviest song on the whole album, which is saying something. Rounding out the track list, “Feel Good” and the 2 bonus tracks are okay but nothing all that notable. Overall, I'm not really sure how high or low my expectations were going into Blurred Lines, but I have a feeling they were met for the most part. It's a decent pop album that's not without its awful moments, but is worth checking out for its handful of good ones.

    Top 5 tracks: Ain't No Hat 4 That, Get in My Way, Top of the World, The Good Life, 4 the Rest of My Life
    Score: 62/100    … Expand
  2. Spangle
    Jul 30, 2013
    5
    The album is ok, but it can be somewhat boring at times and the lyrics could use some help. Robin Thicke's vocals are good, but he certainly pours it on a little thick at times, which isn't really a good thing. Overall, it's not a bad album, but it's not one I would ever listen to again.
  3. Brad_
    Aug 7, 2013
    5
    After Blurred Lines every track became a blur. To be honest, I do not remember or care for the tracks after Blurred Lines. The title track is probably the reason I rated it a 5.
  4. SimpleMethod
    Jul 31, 2013
    5
    Going in expecting something like Blurred Lines will no doubt render you disapproving of this album. I'm a longterm fan and also don't like it, so it really isn't pleasing anyone. It seems like a Justin Timberlake impersonation that bombs. I can admire that he's changing a few things up, and his personal tracks are alright, but this one is a pass compared to previous efforts. 4.8/10
  5. Jamison12
    Aug 11, 2013
    5
    Although Robin Thicke's tunes (most notably the title track) are very catchy and you'll end up buying them, you'll still be remembered of the modern pop that his music is.

Awards & Rankings

65
#65 Most Discussed Album of 2013

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 22
  3. Negative: 1 out of 22
  1. The New York Times
    Sep 18, 2013
    50
    What’s striking is how unambitious most of the rest of the album is, especially the half that’s produced by Mr. Thicke with his longtime production partner Pro-Jay.
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  2. Q Magazine
    Aug 20, 2013
    60
    Thicke's record is wonderfully, brilliantly uncool, a ties-round-the-head, Grandma-friendly wedding reception anthem; and there's more where that came from. [Sep 2013, p.101]
  3. Spin
    Aug 12, 2013
    80
    This is the album that Justin Timberlake is too famous to make in 2013, its musical scope and track lengths modest, its sexual appetite and commercial ambition immodest, its star willing to offer up whatever cheesy line, vocal acrobatic, pop hook or funk groove or electro flourish that it takes to keep you listening.
    Read full review
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