In the Pursuit of Leisure
by Sugar Ray
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Jun 3, 2003
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. AllMusic
    80
    Another winning record.
  2. Amazon.com
    50
    These bawdy Peter Pans of rock are more appealing when they summon their innate raunchy power, instead of coming off like a 2003 version of the Beach Boys with the sand washed off.
  3. Blender
    60
    McGrath sounds both sexier and more gentle, sensitive and more irresponsible. [#17, p.143]
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  5. E! Online
    67
    At least they sound like they're still having a good time.
  6. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    Plays like the musical equivalent of junk food. [6 Jun 2003, p.78]
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  7. Launch.com
    50
    There just is a real feel of lightweights here--be it in the band's often balls-less bottom end (a real problem with so many rock bands these days) or just in the overall music itself.
  8. Q Magazine
    80
    [A] measured and thoughtful set of intelligent pop tunes. [Oct 2003, p.114]
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  9. Rolling Stone
    40
    Extremely infectious, thick with irony and inexplicably goofy.
  10. Spin
    75
    The self-deprecation still rings hollow, but the hooks never do. [Jul 2003, p.110]
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. brubruzinha
    Nov 25, 2021
    10
    Another grat album by Sugar Ray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  2. GreenMachine92
    Jun 15, 2021
    9
    This album has been on repeat at work for over a week. What started as a joke, has grown into a love. This album is great, no lie. It grew onThis album has been on repeat at work for over a week. What started as a joke, has grown into a love. This album is great, no lie. It grew on me big time, and I haven't grown sick of it yet. The final track is great, I really recommend.… Full Review »
  3. EmieO
    Nov 19, 2003
    10
    I'll say this right now: THIS IS NOT A HARD ROCK ALBUM. There. Now all the usual Sugar Ray haters can leave...maybe they can go in the I'll say this right now: THIS IS NOT A HARD ROCK ALBUM. There. Now all the usual Sugar Ray haters can leave...maybe they can go in the corner, and continue lamenting about how Sugar Ray's style has changed since their first album Lemonade and Brownines. Now, for the rest of us who are a bit more open-minded, I have this to say to you: if you like pleasant music, then give this album a listen. It has some a little bit of something for everyone, from an 80's remake to a hip-hop collaboration to a country-esque tearjerker to a hard garage-rock banger to a dance club anthem to a gooey love song to a typical Sugar Ray "Someday"-type tune... If nothing else, this current Sugar Ray effort is diverse... And, it definitely has is share of potential favorties such as the lovely "Chasin You Around", the lofty "Heaven", or the excitable "Mr. Bartender"... I recommend this album. It's not for everyone...true... But, if you give it an honest effort, listen to it a few times...chances are that something will start to grow on you. Just abandon whatever predispositions you hold toward Sugar ray, and let it grow...… Full Review »
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