Our Bright Future
by Tracy Chapman
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Nov 11, 2008
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Billboard
    80
    Twenty years after her self-titled debut, Tracy Chapman remains true to her musical calling: soul-rich folk melodies around a voice of honesty and nuance that nails ambivalence like no other.
  2. Boston Globe
    80
    What has marked Tracy Chapman's work over the course of her two-decade career is her emotional intensity and clarity of vision, and both are in evidence on this fine new disc, her first in three years.
  3. Hot Press
    80
    Chapman creates yet another soulful, personal album that adds to her repertoire of timeless tunes with a few mentions of Jesus and Barack Obama.
  5. NOW Magazine
    80
    All the tracks on her eighth studio album, Our Bright Future, are as clear as her voice, and the lyrics are simple and honest.
  6. The New York Times
    70
    The delicacy wisely offsets her more heavy-handed lyrics, and it draws listeners closer to what she does best: morose love songs.
  7. Observer Music Monthly
    60
    The Grammy-winner has a worthy reputation--and, yes, songs namecheck Katrina, Obama et al--but there's also a playful, reflective quality as Chapman looks back at the way music has shaped her life.
  8. Slant Magazine
    60
    Chapman's songwriting is as sharp as ever, which makes it all the more unfortunate that the album's production is so lifeless.
  9. Uncut
    60
    Larry Klein places the vocals disconcertingly high in the mix, but it effectively emphasises Chapman's poetic sensibility. [Dec 2008, p.86]
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  10. AllMusic
    60
    The craft of Our Bright Future is impressive and Chapman's talents are as clearly evident as ever, but unfortunately this album offers precious little in the way of anything fresh or unexpected from this artist.
  11. Q Magazine
    40
    The lack of any overt passion, energy and fresh ideas makes a numbing and sadly all too predictable listen. [Dec 2008, p.128]
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. Felipecritic
    Oct 23, 2017
    7
    Relaxante, porém falta inovação. Tracy faz bem o seu trabalho, mas é sempre mais do mesmo. Ela precisa inovar um pouco em sonoridade, letras,Relaxante, porém falta inovação. Tracy faz bem o seu trabalho, mas é sempre mais do mesmo. Ela precisa inovar um pouco em sonoridade, letras, etc. Esperando ela voltar, já vai fazer 10 anos sem lançar um CD de inéditas.… Full Review »
  2. DerekD
    Nov 23, 2011
    5
    I like Tracy Chapman. Her voice is unique, soulful and filled with power without the need for vocal gymnastics or excess volume. Her earlyI like Tracy Chapman. Her voice is unique, soulful and filled with power without the need for vocal gymnastics or excess volume. Her early albums reflected the innocence of young love, poverty and other very real themes, which makes this bland, lifeless album even more of a disappointment. Its shuffling, flat production does it no favors, and many of the songs sound more or less identical. Even one mid-tempo song would have been a welcome sonic break, but no such luck: most of the disc consists of slow, piano and/or guitar wrapped missives about life and love that ring of formula and worse: boredom. The songs aren't horrible really, it should be said, just that many of them lack the passion that made Chapman so unique to begin with.… Full Review »
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