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Play It As It Lays
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  • Record Label:
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Play It As It Lays Image
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 15 Ratings

  • Summary: E Street Band member and the wife to Bruce Springsteen releases her third solo album.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. AllMusic
    90
    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. Amazon.com
    90
    The sharpest, most assured, and best record of her solo career.
  3. Billboard
    80
    Scialfa's third and most accomplished solo album.
  4. Rolling Stone
    70
    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.
  5. Blender
    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.
  6. The Guardian
    60
    Patti Scialfa's new album is characterised by an effective combination of earthiness and poise.
  7. Q Magazine
    40
    Scialfa has surrendered and retreated into singer-songwriter orthodoxy, despite the appealing doo-wop backing vocals of 'Like Any Woman Would' and the lyrical twists of 'Black Ladder.' [Oct 2007, p.105]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 11 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 3 out of 10
  1. AnnJ
    Oct 29, 2007
    10
    Very brave and honest, bittersweet recording that explores the ups and downs of long-term love. Her voice is perfect for these songs--sweet Very brave and honest, bittersweet recording that explores the ups and downs of long-term love. Her voice is perfect for these songs--sweet and husky as necessary and boy, the woman sure can write!… Expand
  2. SarahM.
    Oct 21, 2007
    10
    Excellent album from an overlooked and underappreciated singer/songwriter.
  4. 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… Expand
  5. Xbluannax
    Nov 21, 2021
    8
    Good rock album by Bruce Springsteen’s wife highly recommended feel like you’re on a ranch.
  6. MattD.
    Oct 26, 2007
    4
    Does not display the melodic gifts her previous CD has, and her singing is not enough to save the material.
  7. ToddW.
    Oct 25, 2007
    2
    I've never really understood the allure of Patti Scialfa. I mean, next to Julianne Phillips she is obviously lacking both in terms of I've never really understood the allure of Patti Scialfa. I mean, next to Julianne Phillips she is obviously lacking both in terms of talent and eye candy quotient. I get the whole 'Jersey girl thing connection with Springsteen, but this addition to his band seems more like a Linda McCartney-type waste of space and spotlight. I never thought she could sing, and this offering only reinforces my belief. Breathless trilling is not my thing.… Expand
  8. mickeym.
    Oct 21, 2007
    1
    the singing on this album is like fingernails on a chalkboard.

See all 10 User Reviews

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