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Tales from the Realm of the Queen of Pentacles Image
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 6 Ratings

  • Summary: The first release of original material in seven years for the New York singer-songwriter was produced by Gerry Leonard.
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Top Track

I Never Wear White
I never wear white White is for virgins Children in summer Brides in the park. My color is black black black Black is for secrets Outlaws and... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 12
  2. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Mar 6, 2014
    80
    At her brightest and her best.
  2. 80
    It shows that a talented, visionary singer-songwriter can comfortably do what she does so well, yet not be trapped by conventionality.
  3. Feb 3, 2014
    80
    There may not be anything new or massively revolutionary to attract new disciples to the Vega cause, but Tales From The Realm Of The Queen Of Pentacles is another reliably excellent Suzanne Vega album.
  4. Feb 18, 2014
    80
    A great overall effort.
  5. Uncut
    Feb 3, 2014
    70
    These are strong songs, only occasionally hampered by the over-ripe allegorical nonsense advertized in the album's title. [Mar 2014, p.85]
  6. Feb 18, 2014
    70
    Tales from the Realm of the Queen of Pentacles is a welcome return by an artist who has remained stubbornly true to herself and only records when she has something new to say.
  7. 60
    Her first record in seven years, the discord is a new kind of awkward.

See all 12 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. Oct 1, 2014
    8
    Having spent a number of years revisiting her back catalogue with her Close-Up albums, Vega returns brings us new material this time roundHaving spent a number of years revisiting her back catalogue with her Close-Up albums, Vega returns brings us new material this time round with this strangely titled gem. Vega has always been a great songwriter with an ability to make a song out of the most simple of things and once again, her talent for blending poetry with melody is at the forefront of her work. "Realms" won't win Vega a new generation of fans but will please her existing fanbase. While there may not be a "Luka" or a "Marlena" on this, there are a few nice new additions which should appear on future set lists. I particularly like "I Never Wear White", "Song of the Stoic" and "Laying on of hands". Heading into her mid 50's, Vega, the fore-bearer of the likes of PJ Harvey et al still oozes coolness and talent. Expand