Locked Down - Dr. John
Metascore
86 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 30 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
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  1. Expert Witness (MSN Music)
    May 7, 2012
    100
    With one or two exceptions, this CD never lets up, epitomizing his biz-wise mastery of rhumba boogie and the second line. The two pop hits lead. The gris-gris tracks are songs not shtick.
  2. Los Angeles Times
    Apr 3, 2012
    100
    It is one of the best of his career.
  3. The Guardian
    Mar 29, 2012
    100
    No one makes music like this: the Night Tripper rampages inimitably through swamp blues, voodoo funk and Afrobeat, with his trademark piano.
  4. Entertainment Weekly
    Mar 29, 2012
    91
    There's no denying the vintage voodoo--or the palpable disgust--the Doctor summons with Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys.
  5. Paste Magazine
    Apr 4, 2012
    90
    A sweeping confession of sanctification, embrace and glory, this is deliverance personified.
  6. musicOMH.com
    Apr 4, 2012
    90
    The legions who bought and enjoyed El Camino are sure to enjoy this unofficial second helping and those who yearn for more of the freakier blues of Rebennack's 1960s heyday are certain to agree this brilliant gumbo is just what the doctor ordered.
  7. Boston Globe
    Apr 3, 2012
    90
    His latest is the closest he has come to making a masterpiece in a very long time.
  8. Uncut
    Mar 29, 2012
    90
    The album feels disciplined and enormously funky. [May 2012, p.61]
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  9. Chicago Tribune
    Apr 10, 2012
    88
    The legendary pianist sounds reinvigorated on "Locked Down" (Nonesuch), in part because he's not plugging into a formula, but animating it with some feisty new sidemen.
  10. The Boston Phoenix
    Apr 3, 2012
    88
    One of his best, no doubt, and arguably one of the best-sounding records so far this year.
  11. Billboard.com
    Apr 3, 2012
    84
    An album that could've easily come from other Mississippi River stops where horns and funk pump through the bloodstreams-Chicago, Memphis or St. Louis.
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  12. The A.V. Club
    Apr 17, 2012
    83
    The album is at once classic and modern, and while it's short on timeless songs like "Glowin'," "Loop Garoo" and "Mos' Scocious," on the whole it's a more engaged, eclectic, and ornery set than these types of revivalist projects usually are.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.1 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 17 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. JayEssArr
    10
    This album is perfect! I great balance of funk, boogie, and rock. And it is produced by the almighty Dan Auerbach (lead singer of the Black Keys) and he does a fantastic job. Dr. John is an underrated legend, and if you have any respect for music whatsoever, you will check out this album, which is probably the best of the year so far.… Full Review »
  2. Chrie
    10
    I'm not a big fan of the Black Keys, but this collaboration with Dr. John and Dan Auerbach is absolutely blissful. As one of the most underrated artists in history, John is perfectly updated in this modern-retro classic with Dan Auerbach is by all standards the king of modern "garage vamp." It's currently the best thing I've listened to all year. Key Tracks: Revolution, Locked Down, God Sure Good.… Full Review »
  3. AlexxTrusc
    7
    Although the title track "Locked Down" and "Revolution" or "Getaway" make the Dr. John's album - created in collaboration with Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys - as a funky interesting proposition, however this effigy went spoled through theseen for ex. on "Big Shot" inability to exploit the potential of the track. Nevertheless, the album still is worth attention.… Full Review »
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