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Despite Our Differences Image
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 8 Ratings

  • Summary: Mitchell Froom produced the latest for the duo of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers.

Top Track

Lay My Head Down
Ohh, the party's kicked up a few notches Look at us getting loose She leans back against the wall and she watches Tugging her collar like it might be... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. An album as vital and as edgy as anything they’ve ever done.
  2. There is no commercial slant on this music, but it's more relevant than anyone dared expect.
  3. Uncut
    70
    It's a world away from their introspective acoustic work... but [Producer Mitchell] Froom's airbrushed studiocraft... suits their well-crafted songs. [Apr 2007, p.105]
  4. Q Magazine
    70
    Despite Our Differences bustles with invention, righteous anger and the typically sunshine harmonies. [Apr 2007, p.120]
  5. This is the Indigo Girls at their best.
  6. Despite Our Differences... is both the most commercially viable and the most focused and energized that the Indigo Girls have sounded in a decade.
  7. Their distinctive differences as songwriters (Emily Saliers is soft and spiritual, Amy Ray punk rock and raw) are often complementary, but sometimes the songs cry out for more input from the other.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. Donna
    Dec 15, 2006
    10
    This is their best yet. You are missing out if you don't get it. They are re-vitalized.
  2. jay
    Nov 21, 2006
    10
    Another strong batch of songs following the great All That We Let In. After almost 20 years and back-to-back great studio albums, at this Another strong batch of songs following the great All That We Let In. After almost 20 years and back-to-back great studio albums, at this point in their career, and still always under the radar in North America....I wonder if they will ever get recognized!! Oh well, another treasure added to the Indigo library. Expand
  3. MattD.
    Nov 17, 2006
    10
    A return to the power of their early albums, like Rites of Passage. But fresh, as it's more electric than acoustic.
  4. JimR
    Dec 8, 2006
    10
    I don't agree with them politically. But that doesn't stop me from giving them a 10. They took great risks in doing a full spectrum I don't agree with them politically. But that doesn't stop me from giving them a 10. They took great risks in doing a full spectrum of different songs - rock, country, folk, pop, etc.. For that alone, they deserve a ten. this could be the best album for 2006. Expand
  5. wendyg
    Jan 13, 2007
    9
    With Despite Our Differences, Indigo Girls have grown, stretched, and inspired. I am always amazed at the relevance of their lyrics, in With Despite Our Differences, Indigo Girls have grown, stretched, and inspired. I am always amazed at the relevance of their lyrics, in addition to the emotion of the music. I used to be more a fan of Emily's writing and Amy's harmony. Now, I find both writers' lyrics delicious. And their voices have, at times, almost become indecipherable from the other because the blending is seamless. I have anjoyed growing with the Girls, and am pleased that, once again, they have taken over my ipod. Last Tears and Run can't be missed. Thanks, ladies. Expand
  6. AndrewR
    Dec 15, 2006
    5
    I used to like the Indigo Girls but I feel that after so many albums their sound is getting stale. The same hooks, the same sorts of I used to like the Indigo Girls but I feel that after so many albums their sound is getting stale. The same hooks, the same sorts of lyrics... "I'm the romantic one, I'm the angry one!" Perhaps there should be a rule that after a specific number of albums or years the band is forced to break-up. Not a bad album, just the same as it ever was... zzzzz! Expand
  7. ToddW
    Nov 28, 2006
    3
    This is a group that literally drove me to drink. I saw them open once for R.E.M., I believe, in the late 1980's and walked out before This is a group that literally drove me to drink. I saw them open once for R.E.M., I believe, in the late 1980's and walked out before their set was finished to warm up for the main act in a bar across the street from the venue. Let's be honest, if it wasn't for their politically correct alternative lifestyle one wouldn't know about these two; they'd be playing some Holiday Inn on some lonely interstate before the obligatory businessman and local bombshell. Their first offering was interesting and had some nice songs, but if I want to listen to female singer/songwriters with something consistently worthwhile to say I'll cue up Joni Mitchell, Rosanne Cash, Kate Bush, Judee Sill, Patti Smith, Dusty Springfield, Stevie Nicks, or Carole King. Heck, even Linda Ronstadt, the late Karen Carpenter, and the late Patsy Cline are infinitely more talented than these two, despite their differences. Expand