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Live Like You Were Dying
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  • Record Label:
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Live Like You Were Dying Image
Metascore
61

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

User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

  • Summary: 'Dying' once again finds the country star backed on record by his touring band, the Dancehall Doctors.

Top Track

Live Like You Were Dying
He said I was in my early forties, with a lot of life before me And one moment came that stopped me on a dime I spent most of the next days, looking... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. AllMusic
    90
    The young hell-raiser has grown to be one of modern country's most compelling and multidimensional artists.
  2. Billboard
    80
    Always a risk-taker, he remains fearless in his choice of material, evident here on sweeping, observant fare like "Drugs or Jesus" and the ultimately redemptive "Kill Myself."
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    More of the album comes down on the right side of chest-thumping versus heart-bearing. [3 Sep 2004, p.77]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Amazon.com
    70
    While McGraw may not be the greatest of warblers, nobody in country can touch him at conveying emotions too deep to express in words.
  5. Los Angeles Times
    50
    McGraw's album leans heavily on the soap opera-ish tales that have brought him his biggest successes. [5 Sep 2004]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. The New York Times
    40
    McGraw uses references to death and suffering to camouflage rather ordinary songs, and rather ordinary singing.
  7. Mojo
    20
    Material which says something, but feels nothing real. [Nov 2004, p.95]
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See all 8 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. ScottB
    Apr 25, 2005
    10
    This is easily the best McGraw album to date. From top to bottom all these tracks have great radio potential. Album after album McGraw shows This is easily the best McGraw album to date. From top to bottom all these tracks have great radio potential. Album after album McGraw shows his depth and he is able to hit at an emotional center. The Danchall Doctors show again that McGraw made the right choice in how he makes his albums. Always going against the Nashville norm, McGraw takes risks that few do, and he has again succeeded by putting out an album with great music that transcends genres.… Expand
  2. SusanC
    Apr 20, 2007
    10
    It would be worth getting hold of this CD just for the title track alone - it's that good. However, there are other gems here as well as It would be worth getting hold of this CD just for the title track alone - it's that good. However, there are other gems here as well as 'Live Like You Were Dying' - most notably 'Drugs or Jesus', which is a great, not just a good, song. If the New York Times thinks the material on this album and Tim' McGraw's singing is 'ordinary' I can only conclude that the author is / was absolutely tone deaf. Ignore critics like this and just get hold of this CD!… Expand
  4. BenS
    Sep 30, 2005
    10
    I love his newest CD. He seems to be expressing his emotions very well, almost too well for some likeing, but I enjoy it. This CD is not one I love his newest CD. He seems to be expressing his emotions very well, almost too well for some likeing, but I enjoy it. This CD is not one that will be "overly played" like some CDs can do. I believe the honest point throughout his songs give it a little originality.… Expand
  5. [Anonymous]
    Apr 1, 2006
    10
    This album is amazing. Extremely powerful, especially "Kill Myself"
  6. RobM
    Dec 14, 2004
    6
    Like many McGraw albums, probably this will repay repeat listening, but as usual, there's way too much material on here, and some of it Like many McGraw albums, probably this will repay repeat listening, but as usual, there's way too much material on here, and some of it is weak. The title track is excellent, and there are one or two other gems, but then some of the others really drag. I think "Drugs or Jesus" is a great title but a missed opportunity, the song doesn't live up to its name. Less is more, my opinion, and very few albums can stand to be longer than 40 minutes or so. Losing half a dozen of these tracks would have lifted the overall quality. As for his voice, it's okay, but does sound over-processed in places (too much of the Exciter). The band are great, and it's unusual for an artist to record with his road band, so well done for that.… Expand

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