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Stay Human - Michael Franti & Spearhead
Metascore
73 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
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  1. PopMatters
    90
    While his lyrics are both timely and powerful, the album's power lies as much in the superbly crafted grooves and songs, which are the best Franti has delivered yet.
  2. Dot Music
    80
    Taking the death penalty as the central theme for an album -the sleevenotes feature anti-death penalty quotes from the like of Bono, Chuck D and Nirvana's Krist Novoselic- may not sound like much of a party, but there's a human warmth and gentle humour in Franti's delivery, hitched to hugely danceable and uplifting music.
  3. Wall of Sound
    72
    There's a lot of great music here to enjoy. The political tone on the album is more problematic, though.
  4. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    Not hip-hop in its most conventional form then, but a mutant version drenched in, and suffused with, the same rebellious spirit. An organic meta-hip-hop, if you will, that hearkens back to Gill Scott Heron's innovation and looks forward as well.
  5. Sonicnet
    70
    Such lightness of touch is missing from the between-song skits, which have Franti posing as a DJ on a community-radio show, conducting interviews and dispensing commentary on the death penalty. But the between-skit songs are terrific.
  6. Spin
    70
    From the beginning, Franti has favored a retro, flow-through groove, and here hsi funk adds a decidedly disco flavor. [Jul 2001, p.135]
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  7. Blender
    60
    Unfortunately, the ticked-off one breaks up the most consistently grooving album of his career with too many well-meaning but intrusive conspiracy-minded skits. [Jun/Jul 2001, p.110]
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  8. Rolling Stone
    60
    But there's genuine excitement in hearing him leap nimbly between the tart funk of "Rock the Nation" and the loose organic soul of "Speaking of Tongues" as he rails against the inequities of death row, mingling the earthy and the high-minded into something special.
  9. Alternative Press
    60
    The subject matter may be a bit heavy, but the beats keep it bouncing along. [Jul 2001, p.73]
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User Reviews

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User Score
9.3 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. JoeS
    10
    I've listened to this CD no less than 500 times since I bought it. Unconventional, passionate, moving, liquid poetry with a beat. One of my all time favorites.… Full Review »
  2. CarolineA
    10
    This is the best album my soul has found
  3. KyleE
    10
    Any CD with a song like "Oh my God" can't be any less than a 8. This CD is packed with great beats, smooth lyrics, and a powerful message.
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