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Honkytonk University
by
Honkytonk University Image
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
3.7

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 23 Ratings

  • Summary: Merle Haggard guests on the country star's follow-up to 'Shock'n Y'all.'

Top Track

As Good As I Once Was
She said I seen you in here before I said I been here a time or two She said Hello my name is Bobby Jo Meet my twin sister Betty Lou And we're both... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    A solid old-school effort with a Ph.D. in pain. [20 May 2005, p.77]
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  2. AllMusic
    90
    One of his very best records.
  3. Los Angeles Times
    75
    A refreshingly honest outing that still maintains a high fun factor. [15 May 2005]
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  4. Blender
    60
    Keith and co-writer Scotty Emerick can't resist country cliches, but at least they use them brilliantly. [Jul 2005, p.118]
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  5. The New York Times
    60
    Part of his appeal is that he's never totally believable: on previous albums, you had the feeling that he wasn't quite as hard as he first seemed; on this one, you get the feeling he's not quite as soft. [16 May 2005]
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  6. Stylus Magazine
    50
    Honkytonk University is one missed opportunity after another.
  7. Rolling Stone
    40
    The most downbeat record he's ever made, with none of his usual humor. [19 May 2005, p.81]
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See all 8 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 10
  3. Negative: 3 out of 10
  1. cjsouza
    Jul 24, 2005
    10
    i love your song i aint as good as i once was
  2. BenjaminT
    Aug 31, 2005
    10
    Oh my gosh..... People need to start appreciating a good singer and songwriter. I have been listening to Toby Kieth since I was 4; and im 14 Oh my gosh..... People need to start appreciating a good singer and songwriter. I have been listening to Toby Kieth since I was 4; and im 14 now. Toby Kieth had really out done himself now. ''She Ain't Hooked On Me No More'' is great. One of the best I've heard from Toby. All I got to say to toby is keep it up!… Expand
  4. JeffM
    Oct 24, 2005
    10
    If you don't like this cd you dont like country. His most well rounded effort.
  5. Matt
    Jun 9, 2005
    5
    A slight improvement from his other recent stuff, but not much.
  6. NoahE
    May 22, 2005
    4
    I really have never been a Toby Keith fan, particularly since "Unleashed", so some may perceive me as having a biased opinion to his music, I really have never been a Toby Keith fan, particularly since "Unleashed", so some may perceive me as having a biased opinion to his music, but I have streamed this and it strikes me that indeed Toby Keith has lost much of his playful, tongue-in0cheek personality and grit and is trying to become a more serious artist while struggling in this transitory process. "Honkytonk U" was just a lame lead single, which the fact it only peaked at #8 indicates a wear among his recently-felt chart dominance. The current single "s Good As I Once Was" is one of the stronger checkpoints of the record, though I still don't think he's at all within his "Boomtown" and beyond eras. Familiar themes resonate here, particularly on "She Aint Hooked On Me No More", "Just The Guy To Do It" and "Knock Yourself Out". Where Toby Keith comes out stronger on "Big Blue Note" and "You Caught Me At A Bad Time", his approach here just sounds stale in general and non-innovative to say the least. Many argue it was his patriotic appeal that got him to his recent chart dominance from "Courtesy of the red, White And Blue" to "Whiskey Girl" off his previous release. That sort of appeal lacks on this record. But politics aside, while this will definitely keep devoted Toby keith fans happy, it won't win him any new followers, and arguably may even subtract from his previous fanbase.… Expand
  7. VenusS
    Jun 16, 2005
    2
    Well, let us give our thanks to Toby Trash. I haven't been this excited about a country singer since Billy Ray Cirus. In fact I heard Well, let us give our thanks to Toby Trash. I haven't been this excited about a country singer since Billy Ray Cirus. In fact I heard they were gonna join up for a a tribute to Mullet- Rock, a fresh new scene straight out of the arm pit of Cincinnati.… Expand
  8. JeffS
    Jun 17, 2005
    0
    I admit it. I havent heard any of his music. But that horrible Ford truck commercial he was in.... he murdered my inner child...killed my I admit it. I havent heard any of his music. But that horrible Ford truck commercial he was in.... he murdered my inner child...killed my faith in humanity… Expand

See all 10 User Reviews

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