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Kris Allen - Kris Allen
Metascore
52 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
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  1. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    Despite scoring writing credits on an impressive nine of these 13 tracks, Allen gets himself stylistically lost somewhere between Fly White Guy Avenue ('Can't Stay Away') and Bleeding Heart Boulevard ('The Truth'), while rarely visiting original territory.
  2. All Music Guide
    60
    Unhip it may be by design, but at least Kris Allen delivers the goods: it's tuneful and likeable, melodic enough to merit a close listen.
  3. The New York Times
    60
    It's a seamless continuation of his "Idol" run, full of gentle songs that he only rarely tries to rough up. The flattening of the recording process suits him well.
  4. Boston Globe
    60
    It's a polite mix of soft rock with hints of boundary jumping that, unfortunately, never truly come. There's really nothing wrong with the set; it's sweetly executed and produced.
  5. Rolling Stone
    40
    The likability that helped Allen win last season is so carefully low-key here that it's nearly lost.
  6. Slant Magazine
    40
    The surprising and effective acoustic arrangement of West's song demonstrated that Allen has some genuine interpretive skill, but the studio version here layers on a heavy-handed drum machine that sounds like Phil Collins's "In the Air Tonight" and pulls focus from Allen's performance. It's just one of the miscalculations that makes Kris Allen yet another lackluster, characterless Idol debut.
  7. Sputnikmusic
    40
    Sure, there are a handful of half-decent cuts included here, but even they have limited lasting value. Meanwhile, the filler (arguably half the LP) is mind-numbingly boring.
  8. Los Angeles Times
    37
    Most of the material, though, tends toward a flavorless pop-rock sound that doesn't even do much to flatter Allen's appealingly rumpled vocals.
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User Reviews

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User Score
6.3 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 52 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 18
  3. Negative: 7 out of 18
  1. JK
    10
    I love this album! The songs are all really catchy, and there isn't a single track that I don't like. I especially like Before We Come Undone, Let it Rain, and Red Guitar. I think Kris did a great job on this album. Looking forward to seeing him in concert once he goes on tour!… Full Review »
  2. CarolineL
    8
    Good, solid pop rock CD...not perfect, but it had to be made in 6 months. He sounds great (no one can listen to this and say Kris can't sing) and many of the tracks are now on my playlist. The critics are being way too harsh! His songwriting shows a lot of potential. Give the guy a break!… Full Review »
  3. LarC
    4
    Overproduced!!! This album is not Kris's style at all. He shines with simple acoustic accompaniment. Anything else upstages him.
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