Mr. Hollywood, Jr. 1947 - Michael Penn
Mr. Hollywood, Jr. 1947 Image
Metascore
74 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.5 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 18 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Summary: The Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter's first outing in five years is a loose concept album set in the year 1947.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Paste Magazine
    80
    Hollywood's fractured tale is underwritten by melancholy music that splits the difference between Mann's Bachelor #2 and Penn's MP4. [Oct/Nov 2005, p.138]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Blender
    80
    Happily, this structure is as mercifully loose as Penn's melodies are tight. [Aug 2005, p.113]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Magnet
    80
    Penn's precision in balancing melody, mood and texture throughout nicely counters the often-depressing subject matter. [#69, p.106]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. PopMatters
    50
    As elegantly constructed as it may be, something's missing on Mr. Hollywood, Jr.

See all 10 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 2 out of 13
  1. CindyG
    10
    After nearly two months of repeated listenings, this album continues to reveal itself to me. MHJ 1947 is one of the most finely crafted pop albums of the year. And it's pretty darn hooky too.… Expand
  2. RandyC
    10
    May take a few listens to get one's head around some of the sophistocated rhyme schemes and the period theme, but Penn's typically brilliant melodic structure and hooky chord patterns captivate relatively quickly. Fascinating imagery and meticulous production makes it more than just another example of great Beatlesque pop, but it's that, too! Another masterpiece of "literate, thinking person's pop" from one of the leaders of that sub-genre; easily one of the top 5 albums of 2005.… Expand
  3. meg
    10
    Another masterpiece from one of the best singer-songwriters around.
  4. KenH
    4
    I applaud Penn's ambition in creating a concept album in an era where such things are scorned or misunderstood; however, the songcraft of this effort misses the mark based on the high pop standards set by his previous efforts. I've always respected Penn's cerebral lyrical style but these songs are too heady and gloomy for my taste.… Expand

See all 13 User Reviews

Current Music Releases

Full List »
  1. Rumours [35th Anniversary Deluxe Edition] - Fleetwood Mac
    Metascore: 99
  2. Sunbather - Deafheaven
    Metascore: 97
  3. Live in Europe 1969: The Bootleg Series, Vol. 2 - Miles Davis Quintet
    Metascore: 92
  4. Jama Ko - Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba
    Metascore: 90
  5. Like a Rose - Ashley Monroe
    Metascore: 89
  6. Southeastern - Jason Isbell
    Metascore: 89
  7. Same Trailer Different Park - Kacey Musgraves
    Metascore: 88
  8. Your Turn - Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog
    Metascore: 88
  9. The Graceless Age - John Murry
    Metascore: 88
  10. Minute by Minute - The James Hunter Six
    Metascore: 88
  11. M B V - My Bloody Valentine
    Metascore: 87
  12. Acid Rap - Chance the Rapper
    Metascore: 87
  13. Beautiful Africa - Rokia Traoré
    Metascore: 87
  14. Random Access Memories - Daft Punk
    Metascore: 87
  15. LSXX [Last Splash: 20th Anniversary Edition] - The Breeders
    Metascore: 87
  16. Yeezus - Kanye West
    Metascore: 87
  17. Annie Up - Pistol Annies
    Metascore: 87
  18. Without a Net - Wayne Shorter
    Metascore: 86
  19. Once I Was an Eagle - Laura Marling
    Metascore: 86
All Current Music »