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Strange Clouds Image
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 68 Ratings

  • Summary: The second album for rapper B.o.B. features guest appearances from Morgan Freeman, Taylor Swift, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Ryan Tedder, Trey Songz, and T.I.
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 16
  2. Negative: 1 out of 16
  1. 91
    Though Clouds occasionally overstretches (see the eye-rolling high school yearbook fodder "Just a Sign"), B.o.B's confidence serves him well; the fact that he can funnel all that pop froth and still go toe-to-toe with scene-stealer Minaj on the blippy "Out of My Mind" is impressive testament to his infectious, unflappable cool.
  2. May 1, 2012
    80
    B.o.B.'s sophomore record shows he is one of the top hit-makers in contemporary pop.
  3. May 3, 2012
    80
    Strange Clouds isn't perhaps as thrilling as Adventures, mostly because the thrill of the unknown is gone, but B.o.B.'s second album is superior in almost every respect.
  4. May 2, 2012
    70
    This is bold pop-rap at an "Arena" level, and while partying like a rock star means cohesiveness takes a hit, Strange Clouds is still thrilling and persuasive.
  5. The flow of Strange Clouds tends to vary between songs that are helping make the album great ("So Good," "Arena," "So Hard to Breathe"), and then the ones that keep pushing it down the route of a sophomore slump ("Ray Bands," "Just a Sign," "Play for Keeps"). Right when there's about to be a trend of some consistency, it ends up falling short.
  6. Jun 12, 2012
    50
    The album has no theme and at the end of the day we still don't know who B.o.B. is outside of his affinity for protective eye wear. We just know that he is capable of more than Strange Clouds.
  7. Focus-grouped, paranoid and please-all.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 17
  2. Negative: 3 out of 17
  1. Jan 6, 2013
    10
    This is one of the best albums ever! B.o.B showcases his smart lyrics writing with a wide range of creative songs! Some are balled like WhereThis is one of the best albums ever! B.o.B showcases his smart lyrics writing with a wide range of creative songs! Some are balled like Where Are You and So Hard To Breath as others are just fun like Strange Clouds and Out of My Mind! This is a unique must buy, and I am shocked with all the negative and mixed reviews! Expand
  2. May 6, 2012
    10
    B.o.B is one of the most diverse, best artists around right now and there isnt a single one that deserves to be mainstream as much as he does.B.o.B is one of the most diverse, best artists around right now and there isnt a single one that deserves to be mainstream as much as he does. Damn bobby ray done come a mighty long way. Expand
  3. May 14, 2012
    10
    I waited for around four months for this album and it was worth the wait . But for the negative reviewers, I think they've got a problem withI waited for around four months for this album and it was worth the wait . But for the negative reviewers, I think they've got a problem with Bobby Ray with complaining about hardship in stardom like Drake. But he's not getting overboard like Eminem who ended up dissing his mom, his ex wife Kim, and other artists. The music sounds professional, something different . His music has different ideas that other rappers or hip hop artists won't use.(Excluding Kanye West) As a rapper, B.o.B is still stepping up his game. For the songs, you just got to hear the whole thing. I list this as one of the albums which require careful attention. Anyway B.o.B , I understand what you are trying to produce. If you are reading this, thank you your attention . Expand
  4. May 2, 2012
    9
    This album was awesome. B.o.B is able to easily jump from rap, to pop, to even some rock with amazing results. If you were a fan of hisThis album was awesome. B.o.B is able to easily jump from rap, to pop, to even some rock with amazing results. If you were a fan of his mixtapes and/or The Adventures of Bobby Ray, you will definitely find something to enjoy. My personal favorite tracks are So Hard to Breathe, Bombs Away, So Good, Just a Sign, and Where Are You. The only negatives I could think of is that there were too many features and Play the Guitar was not on the album. Expand
  5. May 5, 2012
    8
    2010's big label debut "The Adventures of Bobby Ray" introduced the Atlanta native as a modern day Andre 3000 - a charismatic performer with2010's big label debut "The Adventures of Bobby Ray" introduced the Atlanta native as a modern day Andre 3000 - a charismatic performer with eclectic influences and a strong grip on the commercial capacities of pop-soaked hip-hop. Two years, hit singles, gold status and a vault of mix-tape tunes later B.O.B. is back with the awaited follow up, "Strange Clouds".

    Eager to avoid the Sophomore Curse Bobby Ray wisely chooses to more-or-less work similar angles as "Adventures". Whether it's trading Hayley Williams for Taylor Swift on the yearning "Both Of Us", swapping out Bruno Mars for Trey Songz on radio-ready R&B hits or indeed recruiting former guest acts T.I. and Playboy Tre for second outings each song and step of this new record seems a coolly calculated move.

    Even if collaborations with Chris Brown, Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj seem a redundant course of action these days, said features are far more enticing and explosive a listen than many others you'd care to name - thanks mostly to some innovative production work (namely Dr Luke and the man himself) and clever wordsmithery. Thematically and lyrically, B.O.B. is still the observant and pop culture savvy rapper I've lauded for years and even though the material doesn't tread new ground as such (except when a newly-developed ego takes over on "Arena" as he wryly states "damn I'm killing them/I know they feeling me now... I'm the **** he is still one of the more refreshing characters in rhyme play and line delivery.

    Better still, it's a more cohesive set than his last effort, just as capable of running per-tracklist in its entirety as it is being cut up and playlisted by today's iPod Generation. And with material that markets itself incredibly well to both pop and urban audiences it's probably going to be a while before we find B.O.B. come back down to Earth.
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  6. May 25, 2014
    7
    Strange Clouds overall is a very strong album with strong tracks (Ray Bands, Where Are You?, Play for Keeps, Bombs Away, Both of Us) but has aStrange Clouds overall is a very strong album with strong tracks (Ray Bands, Where Are You?, Play for Keeps, Bombs Away, Both of Us) but has a few songs, like the title track, that strays too close to generic modern rap/hip-hop, something of which The Adventures of Bobby Ray never did. Expand
  7. May 3, 2012
    0
    Not wat i was looking for BOB his first album is better than this one and his 1st sucks so much bob isnt fit for this industry he should hangNot wat i was looking for BOB his first album is better than this one and his 1st sucks so much bob isnt fit for this industry he should hang up the mic and do sumthin hes good at Expand

See all 17 User Reviews