Gutter Rainbows
by Talib Kweli
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Q Magazine
    Apr 6, 2011
    60
    Though the symphonic funk samples that power his free-flowing wordplay sound as if they could do with an upgrade. [Apr 2011, p.95]
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  2. No Ripcord
    Feb 17, 2011
    60
    Gutter Rainbows instead hovers between a mainstream and an indie vibe, embracing neither and potentially isolating both audiences.
  3. cokemachineglow
    Feb 7, 2011
    58
    There's a lot of rappity-rap cliches at work here: overwrought punchlines, vague disses, bitching about the industry. Kweli spends a good chunk of the album acting like a drunk, unemployed superhero, stumbling into supermarkets to aid old ladies whose purses are fully in their possession.
  5. Rolling Stone
    Feb 3, 2011
    60
    Gutter Rainbows is unabashed conscious-rap classicism, with a luscious, string-swamped soul sound and rhymes that tout the MC's left-of-center cred.
  6. PopMatters
    Feb 2, 2011
    60
    Despite limp production, Kweli is often a great presence here, and fans certainly won't be disappointed.
  7. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Jan 31, 2011
    40
    Kweli still has an ear for beats, and despite some particular low points here, his lyrics were always overshadowed by his flow, which is as sharp as ever.
  8. HipHopDX
    Jan 27, 2011
    60
    Gutter Rainbows is a fairly easy spin, and can go into the listener's steady rotation in a pinch. That being said, this feels a bit like a subdued version of Eardrum.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. NicoDaFlagburna
    Feb 3, 2011
    9
    Always the lyrical soldier who fails to forget who he is and where he comes from. Prepare to be astonished and inspired by an onslaught ofAlways the lyrical soldier who fails to forget who he is and where he comes from. Prepare to be astonished and inspired by an onslaught of spiritual hip-hop that though never aimed at the mainstream is unavoidably likeable. The beats are crafted with emphasis on impact and differ in style which helps to reinforce Kweli's uniqueness. He is a social leader of men (and women), someone whose spirituality transcends the genre that pigeonholes him, and worthy of recognition as Earth's finest rapper. The only way this album loses marks is because Talib's angle is typical and could be exposed as unoriginal, but that is as much a strength as it is a weakness. 92/100… Full Review »
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