• Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Sep 4, 2007
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 11
  2. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Play It as It Lays is, without doubt, the record where Scialfa gives us the full fruit of her exceptional gift as a writer, a singer, as an artist.
  2. Mojo
    80
    Scialfa's writing wipes away any celeb-gossip patina through the universality of convincing detail. [Oct 2007, p.92]
  3. What makes her third album, Play It As It Lays, much more than another Springsteen-wanna-be project is the insightful female perspective she brings to these ten songs.
  4. 70
    Sultry suits her fine, but when she reaches for the sadness in these self-written songs, she can’t summon the sense of conflict that was embedded in ’50s pop.
  5. Scialfa's third and most accomplished solo album.
  6. Play It As It Lays is a satisfying, engaging album that deserves to stand apart from the Boss-related madness that's sure to overtake it.
  7. The sharpest, most assured, and best record of her solo career.
User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 15
  2. Negative: 4 out of 15
  1. Nov 21, 2021
    8
    Good rock album by Bruce Springsteen’s wife highly recommended feel like you’re on a ranch.
  2. PeterM.
    Dec 4, 2007
    9
    Complex and sophisticated lyrically, interesting arrangements covering a wider range of styles than most singers dare, and catchy tunes. This Complex and sophisticated lyrically, interesting arrangements covering a wider range of styles than most singers dare, and catchy tunes. This is an album that will grow on you Full Review »
  3. ZachH
    Nov 19, 2007
    1
    Absolutely horrible. How Patti got her own solo career or why Bruce even lets her sing on stage is way beyond me. The critics are full of it.