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Manzanita - Mia Doi Todd
Metascore
71 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
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  1. Spin
    83
    Imagine Joni Mitchell if she'd made Miles after Mingus. [Feb 2005, p.92]
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  2. Mojo
    80
    A lesson in ageless folk rock opulence. [Apr 2005, p.97]
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  3. Neumu.net
    80
    Todd... smartly allows her soaring, angelic voice to take the lead, leaving the sparse arrangement of strings and keys to take a delicate backseat. This also means her lyricism, poignant and wry, stands out.
  4. The A.V. Club
    80
    Brings in a smoky mysticism and freeform beauty that recalls Nick Drake, Tim Buckley, and Joni Mitchell.
  5. Under The Radar
    70
    Todd is one of the few writers who can be heavy without being suffocating, self-conscious without being self-obsessed, and fragile without being frail. [#9]
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  6. Junkmedia
    70
    Manzanita may be too diverse to be cohesive, but it is filled with interesting songs and the continued potential for great things.
  7. Pitchfork
    69
    The high points of the album are the tracks that feature Todd by herself either on guitar or piano, filling the song with the trembling strength of her singing.
  8. Uncut
    60
    A peculiar take on neo-baroque folk with an utterly contemporary twist. [Apr 2005, p.100]
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  9. Delusions of Adequacy
    60
    Manzanita is an uneven album that nonetheless reveals a great talent and a terrific voice.
  10. Village Voice
    60
    One problem though: Mia peaks too soon. That opener is by far the strongest song. The rest is by turns meditative, breezy, intimate, and snoozy.
  11. The New York Times
    60
    There is nothing but earnestness and obsession in her songs, which risk both clichés and awkwardness as they reach for honesty. [31 Jan 2005]
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  12. Urb
    50
    It's nice that a singer/songwriter can fit comfortably on a label known for abstract techno and heady hip-hop. It's not so great when she sounds like Dido. [Apr 2005, p.109]
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User Reviews

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User Score
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No user score yet- Awaiting 2 more ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. Morcoded
    7
    A welcome return after The Golden State's overly produced sound. If GS had any good outcome on Manzanita, it introduced a fuller of sound brought in from some of her touring band. There are still songs with just her and a piano or a guitar - which highlight her lyrical writing, but sons like "The Way," "Deep At Sea" and "What If We Do?" underscore the rich territory brought in from the new band sound. Building a career on austere songwriting, what's most surprising is the sense of humor or whimsy on Manzanita are the songs that I would have never guessed she would have done. Songs like "Casa Nova," and "Tongue-Tied" are welcome additions.… Full Review »
  2. BBlatt
    9
    Brilliant work. Lyrically subtle, musically satisifying.Cohen, Mitchell and Janch.