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Santana IV
by
Santana IV Image
Metascore
65

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

User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 11 Ratings

  • Artist(s): Carlos Santana, Neal Schon, Benny Rietveld, Gregg Rolie
  • Summary: The guitarist is reunited with the 1970s band members Michael Carabello, Greg Rolie, Neal Schon, and Michael Shrieve along with current members Karl Perazzo and Benny Rietveld on the Latin rock group's latest studio release.
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Top Track

Leave Me Alone
You told me in the morning light The meaning of love has changed I should've known it ...'cause it feels like you're sleeping away Hold on, little... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Record Collector
    May 20, 2016
    80
    Santana IV rolls back the years to the time when the band melded spicy percussive Latin grooves with searing blues-rock. Seraphic-voiced Ron Isley fronts a couple of tunes but it’s the spacey, psychedelic instrumental, Fillmore East, and addictive salsa-rock of Anywhere You Want To Go, that impress the most.
  2. Sputnikmusic
    Apr 19, 2016
    72
    It offers a collection of solid tunes that were unlikely to ever be conceived. The excitement behind them is noticeable, yet overall they could have been trimmed for the standard release.
  3. Classic Rock Magazine
    Apr 13, 2016
    70
    Fans of Santana’s first trio of albums have wished for this project to happen for years. Now it’s here, most are likely to be very pleasantly surprised by how successfully it’s been done.
  4. AllMusic
    Apr 13, 2016
    70
    Flaws aside, IV is quite enjoyable--especially split over a couple of listens.
  5. Uncut
    Apr 27, 2016
    70
    Unashamed nostalgia at its very best. [Jun 2016, p.78]
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  6. Boston Globe
    Apr 14, 2016
    60
    The album generously includes 16 new songs, so if you’re a fan you’ll find enough to like. But finding a new lyricist should be a higher calling.
  7. Mojo
    May 24, 2016
    40
    This album delivers rather less than the hoped-for thrilling mix of Latin rhythms, scorching organ and lyrical blues-mariachi guitar solos, but does so in bulk. [Jul 2016, p.96]
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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. Everfam
    May 17, 2016
    9
    To me the album sounds like the band returned from a long set break. They are tight, on time and in tune. The album definitely has someTo me the album sounds like the band returned from a long set break. They are tight, on time and in tune. The album definitely has some classic Santana tones and vibes. On one or two tracks Greg's vocals sound a little out of tune, however he has a deep bluesy vocal style to start with. Having one of the Ronnie Isley on a few tracks is definitely a plus.

    Carlos is in rare form with his guitar playing a la Supernatural. He and Neal seem to really challenge each other and play well off each other.

    The album is one that as you listen more you find tracks, riffs and vibes that become your favorite and stay in your mind for hours after listening.

    Thanks Carlos!    … Expand
  2. sshpv
    Apr 19, 2016
    8
    Surprisingly, this album brings everything we loved Santana for. I mean great music. I mean heart and soul. I mean chemistry. I mean magic.Surprisingly, this album brings everything we loved Santana for. I mean great music. I mean heart and soul. I mean chemistry. I mean magic.
    Don't be skeptical about this. Just close your eyes and listen.    … Expand
  4. Bigwolffman6
    Apr 21, 2016
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The wait was over, after a 45 year period we get to hear a brand new album from the legendary Santana and can't believe some of the members were at Woodstock all those years ago! We all know Santana have always
    had that mistakable sound that we are all familiar with. Now what do we get 45 years later? There is a definitive nod to the early for sure i guess if you played all of his albums in the 70's i am sure there are some similarities but upon first listen the production is amazing. At just on 75 minutes long there is some great material inclusive and a couple of tracks that include Ronald Isely which i find a little strange. All in all quite a good record. Is 75 minutes too long? At times is it a little self indulgent? leave it up to the listener to be their own judge. Enjoyable.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

28
#28 Most Shared Album of 2016

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