Tambourine - Tift Merritt
Tambourine Image
Metascore

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

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 7 Ratings

  • Summary: George Drakoulias produced this sophomore release for the singer-songwriter, who garnered praise for her 2002 debut 'Bramble Rose.' Here, she adds some Muscle Shoals-style soul to her roots and country repertoire.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 11
  2. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Merritt's voice is a magical combination of cool reserve and effortless warmth. [20/27 Aug 2004, p.123]
  2. Tambourine may not quite live up to the Dusty in Memphis comparisons, but it may very well wind up the album of Tift Merritt's career.
  3. Merritt is all over the place on this album, but the songs cohere into a single artistic statement marked by consistent craftsmanship and passionate performance.
  4. In expanding her breadth, Merritt relinquishes too much of the depth that made her debut so distinguished.

See all 11 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. ChrisK
    10
    I love the way she puts her all into the songs. I never heard of her until they played her video (good hearted man) on CMT I love that song so much that i have my cd on repeat all the time, i thought she was country and checked with rcord shops to stores and they couldn't even find her, so i looked up her bio on CMT and found out that she's not country, but i say her songs are in every catagory, i did find her in the R&B section of walmart, her sight is not compatible with webtv so i searched and found this sight, i'll have to get her other albums, have heard them yet. Expand
  2. Bob
    10
    After reading top reviews in USA Today and Time, thought I woud check what all the praise was about. What a wonderful voice and vocal selections. No surprise that she was up for album of the year and would have been deserving of the award. Expand
  3. RobM
    10
    Give or take Lari White's "Green Eyed Soul," this is my favourite album of the year. I'm a big fan of Maria McKee (especially her work with Drakoulias), and I also like Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, so this represents a killer combination. Drakoulias production, Merritt's songs and vocals, Maria on backing vox, and Mike Campbell on guitars. Superb. Expand
  4. JeffZ
    8
    The Dusty in Memphis comparisons are obvious, but not misplaced. Tambourine represents a welcome branching out for Tift Merritt, who can no longer be considered just another alt country chanteuse. If you liked old Lone Justice or Maria McKee albums (Maria, incidentally, sings backup on this, and I believe used Merritt's producer as well), pick this up, you won't regret it. Expand

See all 6 User Reviews