Roses
by The Cranberries
Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
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  1. AllMusic
    Feb 21, 2012
    70
    Roses may not immediately grab hold--and it's lacking one strong single to pull listeners in--but it's well-constructed adult pop that's unashamed of being either adult or pop.
  2. American Songwriter
    Feb 28, 2012
    60
    Where Roses shines the brightest is via the textures that gild the album's edges.
  3. Consequence
    Feb 21, 2012
    70
    Arguably mellower, definitely matured, Roses is a collection that will please more than enough people to chart without quite winning best in bloom.
  5. Entertainment Weekly
    Feb 22, 2012
    58
    Stalwart fans may swoon, but Roses, like its title track, just kinda wilts.
  6. Magnet
    Mar 16, 2012
    50
    Even though bombast spawned the band's biggest hit, it sinks a lot of this record's second half. [No. 85, p.53]
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  7. Mojo
    Feb 27, 2012
    60
    Cleverly, it mixes them [stadium rock and Celtic roots] both. [Mar 2012, p.99]
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  8. PopMatters
    Feb 28, 2012
    70
    Overall, this is shaping up to be one of the most amazing albums of the year and will definitely not disappoint any hardcore Cranberries fans and may help them pick up some new converts along the way.
  9. Rolling Stone
    Feb 28, 2012
    60
    There are lyrical uh-oh moments ("Schizophrenic Playboy"), but Roses reminds us that note-hammering Brits from Adele to Florence owe Dolly a small debt.
  10. The A.V. Club
    Feb 28, 2012
    50
    The group has successfully channeled its signature sound after a decade of silence, but the lack of growth makes Roses feel stuck in the past.
  11. The Boston Phoenix
    Mar 13, 2012
    63
    The bulk of Roses is like a spring day in the first week of May - not exactly shocking, but sunny and warm.
  12. The Independent (UK)
    Feb 17, 2012
    40
    [Shows a] lack of development involved in either the music or the creators' worldview.
  13. The Independent on Sunday (UK)
    Feb 27, 2012
    40
    An album which merely proves that the Cranberries haven't lost their knack of saying nothing in a grating way.

Awards & Rankings

50
#50 Most Shared Album of 2012

User Reviews

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User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. saalamov
    Jul 5, 2012
    9
    The band's most compelling work since the glorious days of their fame. Sublime record. By the way, I find quiet unfair and unprofessionalThe band's most compelling work since the glorious days of their fame. Sublime record. By the way, I find quiet unfair and unprofessional from metacritic.com not gathering enough reviews for this album as well as not have previous albums in the database.… Full Review »
  2. Iasaalaa
    Feb 29, 2012
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. Valio la pena la espera. Me parece un buen album. Dolores O'Riordan demuestra que sigue siendo una de las mejores voces de los ultimos 20 años y mantiene un nivel alto a lo largo de todo el disco. Especialmente en temas como "Waiting In Walthamstow", "Conduct" o "Schizophrenic Playboy" sale a relucir toda su calidad vocal. La banda se muestra madura, compacta y homogenea, haciendo de "Roses" un grato momento. Mas que recomendable… Full Review »
  3. brubruzinha
    Nov 25, 2021
    10
    Another amazing record by The Cranberries, Dolores' vocals are still perfect and haunting
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