The Age of Adz
by Sufjan Stevens
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
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  1. PopMatters
    60
    Like its concluding song, The Age of Adz is occasionally transfixing, but overall inconsistent.
  2. Uncut
    60
    The downside of Stevens' inward journey is that it seems to have eroded his confidence, leading to a maddening tendency to sabotage his best tunes. [Nov 2010, p.82]
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  3. Mojo
    60
    The Age Of Adz, by contrast, is problematic for its mind-boggling ambitions, as Stevens harnesses his folkier songcraft and complex orchestration to electronica. [Nov. 2010, p. 100]
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  5. musicOMH.com
    40
    With The Age Of Adz, Stevens may simply be trying too hard.
  6. No Ripcord
    50
    Sure there's some nice stuff here and no one ever said Stevens lacked ideas. But I'm telling you that despite this, The Age of Adz is a major misfire from an artist of uncommon depth and talent.

Awards & Rankings

95
#95 Best Album of 2010
21
#21 Most Discussed Album of 2010
17
#17 Most Shared Album of 2010

User Reviews

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User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 183 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 164 out of 183
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 183
  3. Negative: 10 out of 183
  1. hoekll01
    Oct 13, 2010
    10
    I'm not sure how or why anyone would rate an album without actually listening to it first. Why even waste your time posting a review. ThisI'm not sure how or why anyone would rate an album without actually listening to it first. Why even waste your time posting a review. This album is a 10 and any BS vote of 6 without any frame of reference besides Sufjan's former album from 5 years ago is not accurate and meaningless.… Full Review »
  2. LancelandHts
    Oct 13, 2010
    9
    A soul searching, heartfelt, electronic masterpiece- with Sufjan's trademarks all over the album. I really liked Illinoise!, but I think IA soul searching, heartfelt, electronic masterpiece- with Sufjan's trademarks all over the album. I really liked Illinoise!, but I think I love The Age of Adz.… Full Review »
  3. WhiskeyClone85
    Oct 19, 2010
    10
    This may be a divisive and unexpected album, but I love the experimentation and the heart-on-the-sleeve mentality of it. I find it veryThis may be a divisive and unexpected album, but I love the experimentation and the heart-on-the-sleeve mentality of it. I find it very amusing that some people are thinking Sufjan is now suddenly acting "unpredictable" and " weird." Come on people, he's always been that way, people. This is a guy who named one of this songs: "A Conjunction of Drones Simulating the Way in Which Sufjan Stevens Has an Existential Crisis in the Great Godfrey Maze." I don't think you should be freaked about by some electronic elements or autotune.… Full Review »
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