Mermaid Avenue Vol. II - Billy Bragg & Wilco
Mermaid Avenue Vol. II Image
Metascore
82 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 12 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.0 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 6 Ratings

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  • Summary: Following 1998's successful collaboration Mermaid Avenue, Billy Bragg and Wilco have reunited to bring more of Woody Guthrie's unrecorded lyrics to life.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Spin Cycle
    100
    The music that Bragg and Wilco have wrapped around the exquisite 15 sets of Guthrie lyrics is much more mature, cohesive and layered than its predecessor.
  2. Rolling Stone
    80
    Now comes the sequel, which plays down Guthrie's playful leer in favor of his snarl.
  3. Q Magazine
    80
    Vol. 2 proves the equivalent of its parent release.
  4. All Music Guide
    60
    As on the first, the Bragg-written and sung music is the most convincing, since he captures the cadences and spirit of Guthrie's music. They sound like classic, weathered folk songs whereas Wilco's numbers are modern inventions, splicing music that is clearly theirs with Guthrie's words.

See all 12 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. RobS.
    8
    I don't relate to the reviews that say vol. 2 is sloppy seconds to vol. 1. Maybe it's because I first heard both albums some years after their release. Coming at this as a Wilco fan, the vol. 2 songs strike me as being a lot - a LOT - catchier than their vol. 1 stuff. "Secret of the Sea" is the more hummable brother to vol. 1's "California Stars". "Somewhere, Some Morning Sometime", "Airline to Heaven" and and "Blood of the Lamb" simply don't have equivalent songs on vol. 1 that match their otherworldliness. The production on "Airline" is wonderous....Guthrie would have NEVER done the song this way, which is what makes it so cool. I'd give vol. 1 an "8" rating, too, but I honestly listen to vol. 2 a lot more. It's very possible one could not like vol 1, but love this album. In my opinion, the Bragg-sung material is better here, too, than his offerings on the first album.… Expand
  2. JossS.
    7
    another solid release of guthrie material all done up modern. wilco and bragg breath life into the material as usual, but not as catchy, fun, or about any positive adjective as vol. I. go listen to vol. I if you haven't heard it yet, and if you love then come back to this one. … Expand

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