Motherland
by Natalie Merchant
User Score
6.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 3 out of 10

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  1. AmandaG
    Feb 23, 2006
    9
    This album enchanted me easily from the first notes of the first track. Staying true to her roots, Merchant's art resonates through her compositions as she flirts with a variety of musical genres.
  2. JoeG
    Feb 16, 2006
    7
    A good friend recommended this to me, so I felt duty bound to give it a go as I generally like female singer/songwriters. Some nice enough songs but can't fall in love with it. The first track makes for a particularly uninspiring start.
  3. DavidK.
    May 8, 2003
    8
    Probably her best solo effort so far -- if you're a fan, don't hesitate -- you won't be disappointed. There's a new sound and ethos here, that Merchant hasn't displayed before. Her voice is aging well, showing subtle and rich nuances -- and a deft skill of song interpretation.
  4. KevinS.
    Jan 27, 2002
    10
    Merchant produces her most ambitious album to date -- and lyrically she solidifies her place with great American women poets, including Emily Dickenson. Musically she explores uncharted territory: "Golden Boy," a song about making celebrities out of criminals, "This House is On Fire," a Middle-Eastern groove dub which eerily brings back memories of September 11th in a narrative only Merchant produces her most ambitious album to date -- and lyrically she solidifies her place with great American women poets, including Emily Dickenson. Musically she explores uncharted territory: "Golden Boy," a song about making celebrities out of criminals, "This House is On Fire," a Middle-Eastern groove dub which eerily brings back memories of September 11th in a narrative only Merchant could produce, and "Henry Darger," an ambitious ballad recounting the life of the forgotten folk-art hero of the same name, would make any 10,000 maniacs fan and cynic of Merchant's commercially successful solo career listen twice. … Collapse
  5. ChristianBurial
    Jan 5, 2002
    9
    An intensely political and personal tapestry album interwoven with Natalie Merchant's alluring, maturing vocals makes this another beautiful achievement. Fully realized and cohesive in its marriage of styles and themes, more world-music focused in its blues than any of her previous works. Fantabulous!

Awards & Rankings

58
#58 Best Album of 2001
84
#84 Most Shared Album of 2001

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    These tunes don't have the big melodic hooks of "Wonder" or "Jealousy," but that doesn't lessen their beauty. [16 Nov 2001, p.172]
  2. Billboard
    80
    She has never sounded so earthy, so bluesy, so soulful.
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  3. E! Online
    83
    Merchant has achieved a lovely balance of art and craft.
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