Crown Royal
by Run-D.M.C.
Metascore
43

Mixed or average reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 17
  3. Negative: 6 out of 17
  1. Spin Cycle
    38
    Sadly, what should have been a spirited old-school revival feels more like half-baked nostalgia.
  2. Village Voice
    30
    Ultimately, most Run DMC fans would have been much happier with old-school Run, D, and Jay than with a smorgasbord of Billboard chart-toppers for hire.
  3. L.A. Weekly
    30
    It’s not just that Crown Royal is a mediocre album; it’s how it manages that feat. Run-DMC, former trendsetters, now seem to be chasing after every pop fad in the book, including the ones they helped start.
  5. PopMatters
    20
    On Crown Royal, Run DMC are looking back so much that their necks must be permanently turned in that direction. Not only does nearly every track attest to how legendary Run DMC are, nearly every track also quotes directly from at least one song off their first four albums. It gets downright pathetic, every song bringing out a strong feeling of déjà vu.
  6. The A.V. Club
    20
    The musical equivalent of Willie Mays stumbling around in the outfield years after his skills were gone, Crown Royal fails in the most arbitrary, impersonal way possible, piling on so many ringers that Run DMC often seems like a guest at its own party.
  7. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    10
    The Ishtar of comeback albums -- overdone, underinspired, and marketed to within an inch of its life.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 3 out of 8
  1. BlueOysterStan
    Apr 14, 2022
    8
    Although this album did not feature much DMC, the songs Rev Run put out were very solid and contained little to no filler.
  2. Leszek1712
    Sep 20, 2020
    9
    This album is different from their previous ones.
    But I like that "new" style.
    It's sad that DMC shows up so rarely here, yet I think it's    This album is different from their previous ones.
    But I like that "new" style.
    It's sad that DMC shows up so rarely here,
    yet I think it's their best album.    … Full Review »
  3. BIGMAN22
    Apr 6, 2016
    0
    i will always remain a fan of their past work that put them on the map with their unique style. but sadly this one sounds very uninspired andi will always remain a fan of their past work that put them on the map with their unique style. but sadly this one sounds very uninspired and poorly done and will easily be forgotten in time.… Full Review »
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