Play - Moby
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Metascore
84 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 20 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.2 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 42 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
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  • Summary: Although techno artist Moby had been on the scene for almost a decade and had released five albums, his fame had chiefly been limited to his club hit "Go" back in 1991. 'Play' changed all that, however, garnering a sea of critical and popular acclaim for the artist. A mix of styles (including deviations into blues and gospel), 'Play' also has the unique distinction of having all 18 of its tracks licensed for use in film, television and advertising.… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Village Voice (Consumer Guide)
    100
    But though the blues and gospel and more gospel testify not just for song but for body and spirit, they wouldn't shout anywhere near as loud and clear without the mastermind's ministrations--his grooves, his pacing, his textures, his harmonies, sometimes his tunes...
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    In ploughing a unique furrow in pop music, he demands your enjoyment as much as your respect.
  3. Almost Cool
    80
    It's a fun, varied excursion.
  4. Sonicnet
    60
    Play is a modest, charming little record built on a few simple ideas, and a winner on its own low-key terms: Moby has made the first electronic blues album.

See all 20 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 18
  3. Negative: 3 out of 18
  1. DanMetacritic94
    10
    I can’t think of anything to say that hasn’t already been said about Moby’s Play album. The one thing that I can say though (and I know it is it is typical) is that it's his best album he has ever made throughout his entire career.

    The music was flawless, the beats are nice and catchy, the samples he used is brilliant, and it has a fantastic pace.

    I love how the first couple of tracks were all fun and throughout the course of the album, it starts to get darker, more meaningful and really emotional.

    Overall, Moby’s Play is a fantastic album. It left a huge impact on the electronic music genre and it certainly had left a huge impact on me for the rest of my life.

    Track Picks: Honey, Porcelain, Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?, Rushing, Bodyrock, Natural Blues The Sky Is Broken

    DW Rating: 5 out of 5 stars *Album Pick*    … Expand
  2. Ricko
    8
    Groundbreaking might be a bit OTT, but this album really brought dance and ambience tracks to the mainstream in a major way. It's got a lot of great tracks on it, however there are a few tracks that just crawl along and don't really serve any purpose as far as I can hear. Every other track on this seems to have been either features in some film, tv show or advert. Fans of the X files will recognise "The Sky is Broken" and "My Weakness" from some of the later episodes. Natural Blues, Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad and Porcelain and instantly recognisable.… Expand
  3. ARC
    6
    Okay. It works well as background music (as its use in various commercials has shown) but doesn't seem as interesting when listened to for its own sake. … Expand
  4. AmberE.
    0
    Moby proves that he sux. and Eminem Rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See all 18 User Reviews

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