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Lay It Down
by
Lay It Down Image
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 22 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 16 Ratings

  • Summary: Al Green's latest album includes guests John legend and Anthony Hamilton. It was also produced in part by Willie Mitchell and Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson.

Top Track

Stay With Me (By the Sea)
La la la, la la la La la la Stay with me La la la, la la la La la la Stay with me Stay with me my dear Walk with me, hold me near It's not as late... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Delusions of Adequacy
    100
    Everything on Lay it Down is gorgeous, memorable and absolutely stunning.
  2. MSN Consumer Guide (Robert Christgau)
    91
    True, Green spends more time supplicating than celebrating, and probably fabricated the whole scenario. But he knows his subject, and he doesn't need Jesus to lay it down.
  3. Los Angeles Times
    88
    Featuring some of the Reverend's finest work in years, Green's latest is proof positive that as important as it is to show up, you still need to know how to lay it down.
  4. Mojo
    80
    From the gentle fire of the first, and title track, this is Green in the role of Love Man and in very fine form. [July 2008, p.100]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Observer Music Monthly
    80
    Stunning in places ('I'm Wild About You'), pedestrian in others, the song remains the same, which is achievement enough at Al's age.
  6. Village Voice
    80
    Now 62, the mighty reverend may not be able to make you spontaneously combust like yesteryear, but damn if he can't still get you in the mood with his third batch of love songs for Blue Note.
  7. Q Magazine
    60
    It takes ?uestlove from The Roots to reproduce the kind of smooth, mellow-aged soul that made Green's name. [July 2008, p.102]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 22 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. mDunn
    Jun 27, 2008
    10
    This is an amazing album that blows away all the current soul pretenders. Almost as good as his 70s masterpieces.
  2. CG.
    Jun 2, 2008
    10
    Al Green definitely layed it down on this cd. I without a doubt love it! Who says it's impossible to make a comeback after years away Al Green definitely layed it down on this cd. I without a doubt love it! Who says it's impossible to make a comeback after years away from the business. He has once again proven himself with this one.… Expand
  4. FelipeP.
    Jun 9, 2008
    10
    Fantastic! He is amazing!
  5. LaLa
    May 28, 2008
    9
    Absolutely superb - wonderful from start to finish, I have already listened to it 15 times. Such a lovely surprise.
  6. MycroftW.
    Jul 7, 2008
    9
    His best since his comeback, that voice is still very much up to his 70s standards and who better than ?uestlove and James Poyser to update His best since his comeback, that voice is still very much up to his 70s standards and who better than ?uestlove and James Poyser to update the Hi-records sound.… Collapse
  7. AaronB.
    May 30, 2008
    8
    If you love Sharon Jones "100 Days 100 Nights" you'll like this. Aside from "No One Like You" and "I'm Wild About You" nothing If you love Sharon Jones "100 Days 100 Nights" you'll like this. Aside from "No One Like You" and "I'm Wild About You" nothing jumps out. But it is wonderful background sound and it's amazing how good he sounds.… Expand
  8. SteveO
    May 31, 2008
    8
    This stuff is pure soul. African American culture should be listening to THIS and not 50 Cent.

See all 8 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

55
#55 Best Album of 2008

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