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Central Reservation
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Central Reservation Image
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 5 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 16 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the second album for the English singer-songwriter, who gained acclaimed for her 1996 debut 'Trailer Park' as well as her work with the Chemical Brothers and William Orbit. Here, she shies away from the electronica of her prior album, resulting in a more organic folk-and-blues sound.

Top Track

Sweetest Decline
She weaves secrets in her hair The whispers are not hers to share. She's deep as a well. She's deep as a well. Another day wastes away, And my heart... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. AllMusic
    90
    Central Reservation is first and foremost a record about hope and survival ... but its underlying message of healing and perseverance is powerfully life-affirming -- her music hasn't merely discovered the light at the end of the tunnel, it's now bathing in it.
  2. Austin Chronicle
    89
    If you haven't heard the plaintive and curiously uplifting songs of longing and loss from this rising phenom, you're missing the emergence of one of the most affecting new talents of the past five years.
  3. CDNow
    70
    Central Reservation finds Orton's unique, husky voice glowing within her assured, slowly simmering tunes. With her voice, which aches and yearns, caressing the ears like a worn, wool mitten on a winter day, Orton beguiles as a '90s natural woman.
  4. CultureDose.net
    60
    Central Reservation ... is ambient too, but not so much in terms of beats as echoey space and unobtrusive production. The focus here is on ballads, sweet and slow, and every string of every strum can be heard.
  5. Armchair DJ
    60
    "Central Reservation" is a decidedly grown-up pleasure and Orton is an artist who succeeds splendidly on her own modest terms.

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. DANGHF
    Mar 14, 2021
    10
    why people doesn´t talk about this record? its tremendous and gorgeous, deserve more recognition
  2. RussL.
    Aug 15, 2006
    10
    My alltime favorite cd! Very unique sound, combining great folk songs and trip-hop beats, without losing any of the emotion in the songs. By My alltime favorite cd! Very unique sound, combining great folk songs and trip-hop beats, without losing any of the emotion in the songs. By far her best work. I've listened to this cd every week for 7 years and still love it.… Collapse
  4. Simbirsk16
    Apr 19, 2022
    10
    Fantastic album by Beth Orton, great songwriting and sound. the people involved in this album are a dream team, Ben Watt, David Roback, SpikeFantastic album by Beth Orton, great songwriting and sound. the people involved in this album are a dream team, Ben Watt, David Roback, Spike Stent, etc. A true 90's gem, also very underrated… Expand
  5. thedeparted06
    Oct 14, 2020
    10
    one of my favourite albums of all time, its magic, i feel comfortable every time i listen to it
  6. andynd
    Mar 3, 2021
    10
    Just beautiful in a unique way, the instrumentals and production on this are awesome
  7. mrsplinter
    Mar 10, 2021
    10
    Best record of his year, powerful and emotional, Orton´s best record and one of the greatest of the 90´s