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Jekyll + Hyde
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Jekyll + Hyde Image
Metascore
55

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 21 Ratings

  • Summary: The fourth major label studio release for the Grammy-winning band includes influences of rock, hip-hop, gospel, and big band with guest appearances from Sara Bareilles and Chris Cornell.
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Top Track

Beautiful Drug
I got a death wish, her looks can kill She's got a red dress, lipstick and heels Pull me in, get me hooked like a junky Got me feelin' so... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. Sputnikmusic
    May 4, 2015
    70
    A shorter, more focused affair could've easily been just as essential as Uncaged, while other cuts might have been more suitable for side projects or standalone singles. Few people will enjoy the album from start to finish, being clearly sewn to have something appealing to just about everyone, so pick up what you like and add it to your collection.
  2. Billboard.com
    Apr 28, 2015
    70
    The album is a good-faith effort to match or even outstrip the band's onstage eclecticism, and the musical personality shifts help relieve the group's tendency to blandness, providing cover for Brown's dutifully generic, if personable voice.
  3. AllMusic
    Apr 29, 2015
    70
    The stylistic range of Jekyll + Hyde proves that ZBB's reach is almost limitless, and this set will more than likely delight the group's legions of fans.
  4. The New York Times
    Apr 27, 2015
    60
    For every song that issues a challenge, there are two that play nice.
  5. Rolling Stone
    Apr 28, 2015
    60
    On their fourth LP, they bang out styles with such preposterous ease--Seventies Philly soul, old-timey gospel, Celtic folk, metal, reggae, jazz--they could incorporate as a single-band music-placement agency. If only they reached a little further.
  6. Entertainment Weekly
    Apr 27, 2015
    58
    The album certainly proves that ZBB have range. But at some point, experimentation swerves into self-indulgence, and Brown mnever gets around to solving Jekyll's identity crisis. [1 May 2015, p.59]
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  7. PopMatters
    May 27, 2015
    20
    The lyrics are absurd, and are often problematic to women.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. tonyman97
    Apr 28, 2015
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Jekyll+Hyde is definitely the most ambitious, diverse and impressive Zac Brown Band album yet. If you come expecting their normal mellow country fare (although their recent collaboration with Foo Fighter's front-man David Grohl was a good indicator of things to come) you will be disappointed. I'm pretty sure that most critics were expecting the same old as well, as indicated by the mixed reviews. Even so, It's very hard to deny the musical craftsmanship exhibited by Zac Brown and company in this album, especially in the songs: "Remedy", a gospel inspired anthem featuring Celtic uillean pipes; "Junkyard", a menacing rock song about child abuse and revenge featuring parts from Pink Floyd's "Is There Anybody Out There"; "One Day", a 70's soft rocking style tune co-produced by Cee-lo Green; and "Mango Tree", a big-band duet with Sara Barielles. They don't leave any genre untouched, even electronic music, featuring house beats and auto-tune in "Beautiful Drug" and "Tomorrow Never Comes". Not only is the musicianship and creativity of Jekyll + Hyde outstanding, but the songwriting is just as impressive, featuring tracks co-written by musical talents like Eric Church, Amos Lee and Keb' Mo'.
    In the end, instead of being ambiguous and cluttered, this album exhibits the Zac Brown Band's incredible versatility and genre-hopping abilities (reminiscent of Taylor Swift's "Red"), fusing multiple musical influences into the most convincing rock album featuring a banjo.    … Expand
  2. honeybunch1
    Sep 7, 2015
    9
    I can understand why some find the album either confusing or lightweight in parts, and if you like ZBB other albums it is clear to see theyI can understand why some find the album either confusing or lightweight in parts, and if you like ZBB other albums it is clear to see they record songs about where they are....I wasn't sure at first but grew to love it....no not the greatest country album in the world...no not the meaning of life....but I wasn't looking for that but in general easy listening, good to sing to and no tracks I skip… Expand

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