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Pay The Devil
by
Pay The Devil Image
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 13 Ratings

  • Summary: The singer-songwriter takes a stab at country music with this collection of a dozen covers and three originals.

Top Track

What Am I Living For
(Art Harris / Fred Jay) What am I living for, if not for you? Tell me what am I living for, if not for you? What am I living for, if not for you? Oh... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 16
  3. Negative: 1 out of 16
  1. Uncut
    100
    It would be fanciful, not to mention disrespectful, to say that Morrison has waited his whole career to make this album. But he makes it sound like he has. [Apr 2006, p.96]
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  2. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Morrison is a natural at sounding like a disconsolate guy unloading on a bartender. [10 Mar 2006, p.63]
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  3. Amazon.com
    80
    Pay the Devil reiterates Morrison's own musical diversity and flair for making any song his own.
  4. Paste Magazine
    70
    A rough, intriguing fit. [Apr/May 2006, p.101]
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  5. Rolling Stone
    60
    Pleasant but uninspiring. [9 Mar 2006, p.90]
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  6. PopMatters
    60
    Overall, Pay the Devil is a simple album with a couple of remarkable Morrison performances.
  7. musicOMH.com
    30
    Pay The Devil is for Van Morrison completists only.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 2 out of 8
  1. ColinS
    Mar 15, 2006
    9
    As a vocalist Van proves he can tackle anything with this project. Of the Originals: " Playhouse" and "This Has Got To Stop are outstanding". As a vocalist Van proves he can tackle anything with this project. Of the Originals: " Playhouse" and "This Has Got To Stop are outstanding". The best cover is Rodney Crowell's "Till I Gain Control Again"… Expand
  2. FranciscoD
    May 12, 2006
    9
    The voices is wonderful- The musicians impeccables. The songs are classics. Some versions stands, by far, the original-Where stands the The voices is wonderful- The musicians impeccables. The songs are classics. Some versions stands, by far, the original-Where stands the glass. With the time will be a classic. Sure… Expand
  4. RobbB
    Sep 2, 2006
    9
    I can understand if the country doesnt do it for ya but I will never understand how some van fans give it a three or less. This is a solid I can understand if the country doesnt do it for ya but I will never understand how some van fans give it a three or less. This is a solid performance and there is even a classic or two on here that will show up on jukeboxes where were all gray. 9… Collapse
  5. BaronL
    Mar 8, 2006
    8
    Unlike current artists retreating into contemporary adult classics (Rod, Cindy, I'm looking at you) Morrison doesn't take the easy Unlike current artists retreating into contemporary adult classics (Rod, Cindy, I'm looking at you) Morrison doesn't take the easy road by tackling twangy-tunes that could easily slip into shmaltz. Like a pare of well-worn leather boots.… Expand
  6. LindaL
    Mar 31, 2006
    6
    "Devil" has nowhere near the wit and magic of "Magic Time" (his previous CD). I've adored Van for decades, and I'm happy that "Devil" has nowhere near the wit and magic of "Magic Time" (his previous CD). I've adored Van for decades, and I'm happy that unlike some artists of his era, he has a voice that's as good as ever. But it's wasted on most of these ho-hum country tunes.… Expand
  7. VinT
    Jun 4, 2006
    3
    I paid 400.00 for my wife and I to see V the Man I have not seen him since 71, but have all his albums.The 9 or 10 songs from this album I paid 400.00 for my wife and I to see V the Man I have not seen him since 71, but have all his albums.The 9 or 10 songs from this album tortured me and the 8 songs that represented him were simply wonderful, even tho' the mercurial man did no encore.… Expand
  8. LutendoT
    Aug 22, 2006
    2
    I love Van Morrison and he's not Kenny Rogers, the voice is okay but the country tunes do not do it for me. The best Van Album for me is I love Van Morrison and he's not Kenny Rogers, the voice is okay but the country tunes do not do it for me. The best Van Album for me is Avalon Sunset, I love all the tracks. This one, a big no! I will skip this album and wait for the next one. Magic Time was excellent too!… Expand

See all 8 User Reviews