Never Cry Another Tear
by Bad Lieutenant
Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. The A.V. Club
    75
    There’s very little here that fans of Sumner’s prior work absolutely need to hear, but he and his mates appear to be having fun, and their spirit is pretty infectious.
  2. AllMusic
    70
    Of course, new bands have lower expectations than established bands, and while virtually every listener will contrast Never Cry Another Tear with New Order's best work, it has the sweep and grandeur of the group's classic moments.
  3. Spin
    60
    Sumner still has a knack for making dopey lyrics sound profound atop guileless Brit-rock jangle and electronic moodiness.
  5. The Guardian
    60
    It's ultimately another product of New Order's comfortable middle age, in which the sound of their golden past gets dependably reproduced.
  6. PopMatters
    60
    Such is the blessing/curse of surviving and thriving in the music business for over 30 years. When you strip all that away, though, Never Cry Another Tear is a promising debut from a new band that’s still searching for an identity all its own.
  7. Q Magazine
    60
    The lightness of touch is a pleasant surprise, but not as pleasant as the sound of summery Sumner re-engaging. [Nov 2009, p.101]
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  8. Hot Press
    60
    Bernard Sumner delivers decent Enough Post-New order solo platter.
  9. Uncut
    60
    "Runaway" and "Head Into Tomorrow" sound like the songs that Joy Division might have written if they'd hung out with Ewan MacColl. Good, but slightly disorienting. [Nov 2009, p. 81]
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  10. Drowned In Sound
    50
    Unfortunately these familiar sounding highlight aren't enough to raise Bad Lieutenant above the level of any other New Order side-project and they in fact fall some way short of Sumner Electronic.
  11. Pitchfork
    41
    This record meanders through a set of passable songs that ultimately decline to move or enthrall you.
  12. Mojo
    40
    Sumner's fans won't be disappointed, but it feels a bit like a stopgap. [Nov 2009, p.90]
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. LinusS.
    Oct 16, 2009
    8
    I had a chance to listen to this cd and it is very good. If you like great guitar playing, synths and great melodies you will love this. I had a chance to listen to this cd and it is very good. If you like great guitar playing, synths and great melodies you will love this. There is not one bad song on this album, from start to finish this cd rocks, with great New Order style moments in it. Bernard Sumner is a musical genius who has worked with New Order, Electronic and Joy division. If you like this cd Please give New order and Electronic a listen and you will love it, also listen to the first Album By a band called MONACO called Music for Pleasure which is also very good (New Order side project). It is very sad that New Order broke up, let's hope they patch up their differences and make another album. Give the Bad Lieutenant a chance and you will love it.… Full Review »
  2. mattt
    Oct 16, 2009
    10
    Brilliant record.
  3. DavidF.
    Oct 15, 2009
    6
    Only one complete dud on the album (the opening track), though nothing that follows is particularly memorable. Still a step up from the final Only one complete dud on the album (the opening track), though nothing that follows is particularly memorable. Still a step up from the final New Order album.… Full Review »
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