Heroes & Thieves
by Vanessa Carlton
  • Record Label: The Inc.
  • Release Date: Oct 9, 2007
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. AllMusic
    70
    Her voice is too sweet and girlish to command, her melodies mellifluous but not grabbing--but Heroes & Thieves flows easily, and it's a nice return to the strengths of her debut.
  2. PopMatters
    80
    Heroes & Thieves isn’t a perfect album and sometimes gets too idiosyncratic and precious for its own good.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    However precious her poetry can be, Carlton always pins it to melodies that morph and expand evocatively.
  5. Slant Magazine
    70
    The material in general isn't exactly what you'd expect from an artist who left the nest in search of creative freedom and appreciation, making Heroes & Thieves somewhat less rewarding than her last album.
  6. Boston Globe
    80
    The driving finale, 'Home,' finds her asserting, "Let's live in the glory," and hitting a magnificent buoyant piano bridge that says as much.
  7. Blender
    70
    An album this pretty can make you believe in romantic spells lasting beyond first semester.
  8. Billboard
    80
    Fans of Carlton's indelible white-chick anthem "A Thousand Miles," on the other hand, have plenty to be excited about, since Heroes presents another batch of appealingly wistful reflections on life and love.
  9. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    80
    Packaged in big, bright doses of piano-pop, her expressions of puppy love are as irresistible as puppies themselves.

Awards & Rankings

84
#84 Best Album of 2007
84
#84 Most Discussed Album of 2007

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 69 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 56 out of 69
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 69
  3. Negative: 12 out of 69
  1. MarkF
    Oct 22, 2008
    10
    Let me star this off by saying Vanessa Carlton is my favorite singer.I am not blinded by that and automatically say that evrything is Let me star this off by saying Vanessa Carlton is my favorite singer.I am not blinded by that and automatically say that evrything is amazing,I really try to explore for faults.On Heroes and Thieves.however,there is none.Harmonium is still my favorite,an amazing album that suffered because of it's marketing failure.I think Universal Motown coulda marketed this one better also...Anyways,it starts off with the killer comeback,"Nolita Fairytale",and from then on is truly stellar.She is nearly flawless!!!I recommend to anyone that enjoys great music.Can't wait for her fourth album!!!… Full Review »
  2. EdwardV
    Sep 22, 2008
    10
    A inspiring album from a true artist. From my best to the rising "Home" ballad, all tracks have their certain qualities that place Vanessa as A inspiring album from a true artist. From my best to the rising "Home" ballad, all tracks have their certain qualities that place Vanessa as an artist of the millennium.… Full Review »
  3. PatricjH
    Jun 8, 2008
    10
    Her best album. Solid, well written, and catchy!!! Her instrumentation is less boring than "Harmonium" (which personally I found half good, Her best album. Solid, well written, and catchy!!! Her instrumentation is less boring than "Harmonium" (which personally I found half good, half baddd). This album shows consistency. "Home" is by far my favorite!… Full Review »
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