Heat Lightning Rumbles in the Distance - Patterson Hood
Metascore
77 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
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  1. All Music Guide
    Sep 13, 2012
    90
    It's a brave, compelling collection from an artist who continues to evolve in remarkable and unexpected ways.
  2. Expert Witness (MSN Music)
    Sep 18, 2012
    83
    Sweetly skeletal arrangements featuring various bandmates and his bassist dad underpin the quietest and most winning singing of his career, with lyrics so crystalline you never need the booklet.
  3. The A.V. Club
    Sep 11, 2012
    83
    Though the album is more about the lyrics than the music, damned if those lyrics aren't some of Hood's best-which is saying something, given that Hood has a command of imagery and observation as keen as any prose writer working today.
  4. Magnet
    Oct 22, 2012
    80
    A wonderful rumination on late nights, leaving home and self-medicating. [No.92 p.54]
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  5. Uncut
    Sep 14, 2012
    80
    An affecting, lyrical record that makes you feel blessed for not having lived through it, but wiser, so graceful for the ride. [Oct 2012, p.74]
  6. American Songwriter
    Sep 11, 2012
    80
    These songs evoke images and conjure emotions that are as descriptive and riveting as any printed word.
  7. Austin Chronicle
    Oct 9, 2012
    78
    The post divorce rant "Better Off Without" and bittersweet Kelly Hogan duet "Come Back Little Star" about their late friend Vic Chesnutt are among the treasures here.
  8. PopMatters
    Sep 13, 2012
    70
    Heat Lightning is the solo album as balancing act-one of its greatest accomplishments is that it gives equal attention to a destructive past without romanticizing it and a satisfying present without simplifying it.
  9. Blurt Magazine
    Sep 11, 2012
    70
    Fans of his [Drive-By] Truckers tunes will find much to love here.
  10. Rolling Stone
    Sep 11, 2012
    70
    Even the sketches deliver an emotional gut punch.
  11. Pitchfork
    Sep 11, 2012
    65
    It's a placeholder album from a man who has already written 20 songs that are better than the ones here.
  12. Q Magazine
    Oct 24, 2012
    60
    These skeletal blues are for addicts only. [Nov 2012, p.98]
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  13. Mojo
    Sep 19, 2012
    60
    Scratchily downbeat, this is a true artist's vision in that Hood can remove himself from the pain without stinting on the honesty. [Oct 2012, p.82]
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User Reviews

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User Score
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No user score yet- Awaiting 2 more ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. DaGuruDette
    10
    This is classic Patterson Hood. Even though it is a solo effort, it also has a definite vibe of the DBTs last two albums too. He imo is the best story teller in music right now because his words are simple and quite real and get right to the point. Patterson has such a connection with what the every day man/woman is going through and can articulate that so well in his songs. Right now this country and its people are suffering quite bad and Patterson has plenty of material to write about. I have always been a Mike Cooley guy over the years but Patterson has really shown his ability as a master songwriter in particular on his last two solo albums. I think this is a top 5 album for 2012 and Come Back Little Star might be the best song he has ever written. It is right up there with The Living Bubba. Shrimp will probably act like he likes him now too. I smell a phony creepin.… Full Review »
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