• Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Oct 28, 2008
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 22
  2. Negative: 1 out of 22
  1. 60
    Though he's unlikely to encounter much trouble selling these romantic conceits to his female-heavy fan base, some of the scenarios on John Legend's third studio album could be fresher
  2. As on Legend's previous two efforts, his balladry can tend towards the beige, and oatmeal slow jams such as 'Cross the Line' prove unmemorable; but the innate warmth of Legend's voice mostly carries his material.
  3. For a change, Legend doesn't constantly sound as though he's trying to impress the VH1 cognoscenti with his impeccable musicality. Sure, that's to say it's occasionally dumb, but oh so approachable.
  4. 40
    Prince made sexual audacity a trademark ages ago, but Legend is just too cautious to put it over--he sounds like a CPA on his first trip to the Hustler Club.
  5. Mojo
    60
    This is a good album, but there's a pull between the commercial and the more left-field. [Dec 2008, p.104]
  6. Q Magazine
    60
    This third album is more in the same gold-standard, singer-songwriterly vien. [Dec 2008, p.130]
  7. Though it doesn't exactly live up to its name, Legend manages to capture the optimistic sprit of Barack Obama in
  8. Easily the least accomplished of his albums, Evolver is nonetheless a refreshing change of sorts, for all its faults, at least as far as missteps are concerned.
User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 15
  2. Negative: 2 out of 15
  1. Apr 3, 2019
    10
    John Legend is talented AF when his fan are cool as hell, This album ROCKS!
  2. Phil
    Apr 25, 2009
    10
    Great vocals, that's why I give JL a 10. Can you sing like this? He is up there with Phillip Baily and Maynard J. K.
  3. ChrisB
    Oct 31, 2008
    10
    Great album!