Heathen Chemistry
by Oasis
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Jul 2, 2002
Metascore
55

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 22
  3. Negative: 3 out of 22
  1. Billboard
    70
    While the electronic flourishes and arrogant bombast that respectively marred the band's last two efforts are thankfully gone, there's nothing on Heathen Chemistry to suggest that the "Wonderwall" commercial glory days of the mid-'90s are coming back.
  2. Blender
    80
    Sounds like a band back on track. [#8, p.120]
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  3. CDNow
    80
    Heathen Chemistry finds the quintet back in cracking mid-'90s form.
  5. Dot Music
    70
    Essentially, Oasis have tentatively begun to master the art of becoming veterans: writing songs that reflect their circumstances and not a mythical image of what they once were; songs that suggest there's life in the old beast yet.
  6. E! Online
    75
    Pretty much the same Beatles-esque pub-rock with Middle Eastern punches you'd expect--though with more shared singing and songwriting duties than past outings have had.
  7. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    A step up from the previous two tossers. [12 July 2002, p.84]
    All this publication's reviews
  8. Launch.com
    80
    Oasis is back, and in top form.
  9. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    Oasis can't help but sound like a group battling to free themselves from being last century's thing.
  10. PopMatters
    70
    Heathen Chemistry gets back to what Oasis do well.

Awards & Rankings

21
#21 Most Discussed Album of 2002
56
#56 Most Shared Album of 2002

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 115 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 82 out of 115
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 115
  3. Negative: 17 out of 115
  1. TonyS
    Sep 18, 2005
    7
    This is a good album by Oasis but when you're one of the all time greats, good isn't good enough. There are 6 classics on here but This is a good album by Oasis but when you're one of the all time greats, good isn't good enough. There are 6 classics on here but 4 very ordinary tunes a very short instrumental. The band produced the record themselves and apart from a few inspired moments, it's clear the boys should have got someone in, who knows what they're doing. The biggest crime is not knowing how to mix Liams vocals, he sounds too tame on certain tracks here, while Noels voice sounds too loud in the mix on some of his vocals. Overall, a good album but quite forgettable.… Full Review »
  2. Jacksyn
    Jul 15, 2022
    10
    Crazy good. It's fine if you're not a fan, but then you should just go listen to something else, and let the real Oasis fans enjoy this greatCrazy good. It's fine if you're not a fan, but then you should just go listen to something else, and let the real Oasis fans enjoy this great peace of work.… Full Review »
  3. Lhorkaven
    Jul 11, 2020
    2
    Boring glory. Wait, no glory at all. The songs in this album are boring and slow. And the music is practically nonexistent.
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