Dirty Work
by All Time Low
User Score
5.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 34 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 34
  3. Negative: 8 out of 34
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  1. Misslove14xx
    Jul 5, 2011
    5
    I've been a fan of ATL since So Wrong It's Right, so I was greatly anticipating the release of this album - especially since they kept us waiting so long. I was more impressed with Nothing Personal. Alex Gaskarth [lead] kept talking about how he felt this was a more "grown up" record, and it showed their growth as a band, but I have to disagree. Most of the songs seemed a little amateur toI've been a fan of ATL since So Wrong It's Right, so I was greatly anticipating the release of this album - especially since they kept us waiting so long. I was more impressed with Nothing Personal. Alex Gaskarth [lead] kept talking about how he felt this was a more "grown up" record, and it showed their growth as a band, but I have to disagree. Most of the songs seemed a little amateur to me. There are a few songs off this album I really enjoy, but most of them are just decent. I think the writing really took a turn for the worst. Their previous records were so much more raw, and honest feeling. On this album they were far too focused on rhyming words, that they seemed to have forgotten to let the songs flow on their own. "You're not a hero, you're a liar, you're not a savior, you're a vampire" really left me feeling like the victim of a bad pop band- the only thing missing was an over usage of auto-tune, even though they don't fail to saturate themselves in that with a few different songs. Most of the reason I was so disappointed with this record is because I know they could have done better.… Expand
  2. JaySeanFenris
    Nov 14, 2011
    4
    Dirty Work manages to throw away almost all the remaining promise they held from the Party Scene. It starts off not to bad with Do You Want Me (Dead)? But the song, like most of the album, is a half-assed pop song that isn't even memorable. The album immediately goes downhill with I Feel Like Dancin'. It is easily the most catchy song in the album, but shows very poor lyricism and isDirty Work manages to throw away almost all the remaining promise they held from the Party Scene. It starts off not to bad with Do You Want Me (Dead)? But the song, like most of the album, is a half-assed pop song that isn't even memorable. The album immediately goes downhill with I Feel Like Dancin'. It is easily the most catchy song in the album, but shows very poor lyricism and is the final nail in the coffin that cements All Time Low as a 'Pop/Boy Band'. Amid the relative trainwreck, however, are a few gems - particularly in Guts, Return the Favor, and Heroes. Guts displays a level of poignancy that the rest of the album is completely devoid of. While Return the Favor lacks an emotional and lyrical punch, it is musically a standout track. And Guts is a bit of a return to form for All Time Low, it is faster, heavier, and is a lot more 'fun' than the rest of the album - which is what any All Time Low album should be about. Heroes and Guts specifically are better than a lot of songs from their previous works - something that can't be said for much of anything else in the album.

    With that being said, however, the rest of the album (barring a few middle tracks like Time Bomb and Under a Paper Moon) displays a lack of creativity, but most of all, effort. The production is squeaky clean, as expected, but sucks away all of the remaining emotion. Hopefully this is a wake-up call for All Time Low that tells them this (Dirty Work) is not the direction their critics AND fans don't want them to be in.

    This is a major disappointment by the likes of All Time Low.    … Expand
  3. ShortwaveStream
    Mar 23, 2014
    6
    Pretty much an average album. First half is catchy, then it's just generic.
    The first half is full of energy, and then the second half is full of "Ohmygodlifesuckssomuch" songs. I was just there like "PLZ STAHP".
  4. beebo_gaskarth
    Aug 20, 2017
    6
    Although it isn't the best of All Time Low's work, there are some gems and hidden treasures such as Guts and Under a Paper Moon with some very catchy hooks and some great lyrical and metaphorical content. Overall isn't one of ATL's best work.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Kerrang!
    Jun 24, 2011
    60
    It's just that Dirty work is merely a good album, when it should be a great one. [4 Jun 2011, p.51]
  2. Rolling Stone
    Jun 21, 2011
    60
    On their fourth album, All Time Low get stranded between bratty snot-rock and witty power pop.
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  3. AllMusic
    Jun 7, 2011
    70
    Consider Dirty Work the band's ultimate bid for mainstream acceptance, and one of their strongest pop albums to date.
    Read full review
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