Haughty Melodic
by Mike Doughty
  • Record Label: ATO
  • Release Date: May 3, 2005
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. AllMusic
    80
    The big differences are that guitars are much more prominent than on any Soul Coughing releases, the lyrics have a more personal perspective, and the additional sounds of the album come from warmer sources like piano, Fender Rhodes and horns rather than a sampler.
  2. PopMatters
    80
    Very rarely do the songs stumble; when they do, it's only because they force Doughty's style into more ordinary fare unbecoming of him.
  3. Delusions of Adequacy
    70
    Unfortunately, Haughty Melodic, in its attempt to gain a wider audience, does have some clunkers.
  5. Prefix Magazine
    70
    There’s certainly something to be missed in this simpler direction, but not too much.
  6. Urb
    70
    Haughty Melodic should find Doughty a new legion of listeners while sating his faithful followers. [Jul/Aug 2005, p.101]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Q Magazine
    70
    Reveals a keen mind at work. [Nov 2005, p.123]
    All this publication's reviews
  8. Lost At Sea
    65
    Where Soul Coughing was defying specific genres and pushing norms, Skittish was scaled back, raw; Haughty Melodic is plugged in, not quite as downtrodden and surprisingly accessible.
  9. Rolling Stone
    60
    Ditches the arty expansiveness of his former band and goes for laid-back roots rock.
  10. Pitchfork
    55
    Doughty is better off when laid bare or with a group of musicians that push him in new directions, rather than ones who simply back him.
  11. Tiny Mix Tapes
    50
    It's just a little sad to hear Mike giving in to conventionality, even if he does do it better than most.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. MatthewR
    Oct 2, 2006
    9
    Mike Doughty's best solo album yet. I'm still mourning the loss of Soul Coughing, and this doesn't replace them, but it's Mike Doughty's best solo album yet. I'm still mourning the loss of Soul Coughing, and this doesn't replace them, but it's damn good in its own right.… Full Review »
  2. ScottY
    Jan 15, 2006
    6
    Very catchy tunes on here. Some friends said it sounds just like the stuff he did with Soul Coughing but I disagree. I didn't like the Very catchy tunes on here. Some friends said it sounds just like the stuff he did with Soul Coughing but I disagree. I didn't like the Soul Coughing stuff, I found this to be a different style of music and more catching. There's a good duet on this album with Dave Matthews called Tremendous Brunettes that is good.… Full Review »
  3. ElliotS
    Jul 5, 2005
    6
    There are moments when Doughty pulls of this new, more conventional sound like a champ. "Busting up a Starbucks," for example, keeps most of There are moments when Doughty pulls of this new, more conventional sound like a champ. "Busting up a Starbucks," for example, keeps most of the funkyness and attitude it once had, while adding some interesting influences that were missing in the stripped down version. At the same time though, it kinda feels like Haughty Melodic making fun of sell outs is supposed to be an ironic joke of some sort. When it's more stripped down, such as "Your Misfortune" or "His Truth is Marching On" the honesty keeps this together. I like new stuff from Doughty, but lets hope his next release isn't fighting his creativity like this one.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »