Sha Sha
by Ben Kweller
  • Record Label: ATO
  • Release Date: Mar 5, 2002
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. AllMusic
    90
    Underscoring the songwriting skill he's been working at since age eight and over the course of 11 songs, he plays acoustic, folk-rock, alternative, power pop, and straight-ahead rock; his lyrics are consistently heart-sung but they aren't lite (he's got weight and bite too).
  2. Austin Chronicle
    67
    What 20-year-old Kweller lacks in crafting his own sound, he makes up for in crafting virulently infectious hooks, the kind that find you singing along despite the fact that you only have a tenuous grasp on the lyrics.
  3. CDNow
    70
    An eclectic, enjoyable array of quirky tunes.
  5. Delusions of Adequacy
    70
    He has composed devastatingly clever lyrics to go with music that completely rocks out, tugs at your heartstrings, or both.
  6. Dot Music
    60
    But for all its feel-good factor and predominantly strong songwriting, 'Sha Sha' does have its forgettable filler tracks and near-misses and generally needs a stronger, more individual voice to help it stand out from an already heaving crowd of young American singer/songwriters.
  7. Drawer B
    70
    Granted, Kweller is still searching for an unique voice, as his music still wears its roots a little too blatantly, but he’s definitely on the right track.
  8. Mojo
    70
    Ten years from now, someone will stumble across this in a thift shop, buy on a whim and be thrilled. [Sep 2002, p.96]
    All this publication's reviews
  9. New Musical Express (NME)
    60
    A solo charm assault with mixed results.
  10. Pitchfork
    67
    Slightly-too-frequent derivative moments can be mostly forgiven thanks to heaping helpings of youthful earnestness.
  11. PopMatters
    70
    The charm of both Kweller and his songs lies in their vulnerability, which is covered up here with drums and mildly abrasive guitar chords, rather than sitting in plain view on chirping and squeaking acoustic guitar strings.
  12. Q Magazine
    80
    Melodically, this matches The Lemonheads at their best. [Aug 2002, p.126]
    All this publication's reviews
  13. Splendid
    40
    While Sha Sha is certainly ripe with hooks and strong in stylistic concept, the songs are woefully one-dimensional and marred by immaturity.
  14. Uncut
    50
    Three or four songs short of a really strong album. [Oct 2002, p.107]
    All this publication's reviews

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. halfeatenpair
    Sep 28, 2011
    5
    sha sha isn't a bad album but the title track among others are too long for my tastes and don't lend themselves to getting replayed. i maysha sha isn't a bad album but the title track among others are too long for my tastes and don't lend themselves to getting replayed. i may want to hear the album once in a year and have no subsequent desire to hear it again… Full Review »
  2. hellokitty
    May 24, 2005
    10
    awesome cd... my favorite
  3. JohnL
    Jun 5, 2004
    10
    It's awesome.
See all user reviews »