Maths + English
by Dizzee Rascal
  • Record Label: XL
  • Release Date: Jun 5, 2007
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Observer Music Monthly
    100
    Essential.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    An eclectic, break-dance-worthy Slick Rick reincarnation. [15 Jun 2007, p.77]
  3. Lost At Sea
    87
    In short, Maths + English is an ideal sellout.
  5. Pitchfork
    84
    His post-genre American-mythos statement.
  6. cokemachineglow
    83
    This one sees him expanding outward in any number of directions, and succeeding in nearly all of them.
  7. The Guardian
    80
    It's Dizzee Rascal's pop album: catchy and danceable.
  8. PopMatters
    80
    Maths & English is sprawling and as fun to listen to as it is tricky to follow.
  9. Blender
    80
    Where once he growled his rhymes through gritted teeth or abortively gulped them down altogether, now the beats let him breathe. [Jul 2007, p.113]
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  10. Under The Radar
    80
    He retains much of his distinctive diction, self-effacing humor, and minimal production flourishes and guest appearances by Lily Allen and Artic Monkeys' Alex Turner help him retain a British feel. [Spring 2008, p.85]
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  11. Austin Chronicle
    78
    Beatmaker Shy FX reaches dizzying speeds on summertime jam "Da Feelin'," Maths adding up to an all out "Flex" of muscle and clout.
  12. The Boston Phoenix
    75
    Boy in da Corner may be the classic Dizzee will be forced to chase for the rest of his career, but Maths + English shows him still striving.
  13. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    His straightest record yet, delving into crunk, rock, drum'n'bass and pop with varying results.
  14. Rolling Stone
    70
    Maths and English is long on dark, dense electro beats and frazzled techno, plus frantic-but-ballsy rhymes that even Brits might have trouble parsing.
  15. Dot Music
    70
    It is certainly Dizzee's least consistent record to date.
  16. Drowned In Sound
    60
    Our advice, then: pick and choose via online outlets to get the best out of this album, as in this instance Dizzee’s mathematical skills have failed to calculate a formula for another must-buy release.
  17. Uncut
    60
    If nothing else, [his] accountant will be pleased with Maths & English's broad appeal. [Jul 2007, p.99]
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  18. NOW Magazine
    60
    Maths + English is not without its gems.
  19. Stylus Magazine
    58
    The price of diversity is cohesion and there are points where Maths + English veers wildly off track.
  20. Spin
    50
    Scattered. [Jul 2007, p.95]

Awards & Rankings

98
#98 Best Album of 2007

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 21
  3. Negative: 2 out of 21
  1. KhalidB
    Aug 12, 2007
    10
    AAMAAZZING release by dizzee, i agree the lily allen and alex turner(arctic monkeys) contributions werent neccesary, But a High light of this AAMAAZZING release by dizzee, i agree the lily allen and alex turner(arctic monkeys) contributions werent neccesary, But a High light of this album would be Da Feelin' the lyrics are okay, but the beat and samples were Amazing in it, Dizze is an amazing lyricist however, hes making critically acclaimed music that most 30 year olds make (hes 22, on his 3rd cd, all of them thus far were AMAZING).. just bravo dizzeee… Full Review »
  2. seand
    Jul 29, 2007
    9
    amazing, best hip hop album of the year so far. i like his use of somewhat more conventional American hip hop stylings while still retaining amazing, best hip hop album of the year so far. i like his use of somewhat more conventional American hip hop stylings while still retaining his original sound… Full Review »
  3. RogerT
    Jun 25, 2007
    9
    A return to greatness after the personally rather dissapointing Showtime. Generally packed with tunes although I feel the Artic Monkeys and A return to greatness after the personally rather dissapointing Showtime. Generally packed with tunes although I feel the Artic Monkeys and Lily Allen contibutions were uneccesary. The track Pussyhole (Old Skool) should have you throwing some shapes. Excellent return… Full Review »
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