The Age of Adz
by Sufjan Stevens
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
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  1. druss
    Oct 15, 2010
    3
    Sufjan has completely turned his back on his older material, to the point where he only played 3 old songs at his live show in Toronto, all off of Illinois. The audience did not respond to his new material. Its irritating, repetitive, self-indulgent, lacking melody, and Sufjan can't connect properly to the audience. Its great for him that he went off on a new path and can't standSufjan has completely turned his back on his older material, to the point where he only played 3 old songs at his live show in Toronto, all off of Illinois. The audience did not respond to his new material. Its irritating, repetitive, self-indulgent, lacking melody, and Sufjan can't connect properly to the audience. Its great for him that he went off on a new path and can't stand playing his gimmicky old material, but where does that leave us? It's weirdness makes for rock critic fodder, but it's a crap listen, front to back.… Expand
  2. BigBrother
    Oct 12, 2010
    2
    Perhaps the most disappointing album of the year. This self-indulgent, pretentious album signifies everything that is wrong with the current trend in indie rock. Instead of developing actual songs, which I know he's capable of (see Illinois), he produces mediocre glitchy electronic noise. The one actual song on the album (I Walked), is destroyed by his inability to edit himself. HisPerhaps the most disappointing album of the year. This self-indulgent, pretentious album signifies everything that is wrong with the current trend in indie rock. Instead of developing actual songs, which I know he's capable of (see Illinois), he produces mediocre glitchy electronic noise. The one actual song on the album (I Walked), is destroyed by his inability to edit himself. His ego has become so monstrous that those around him are unlikely to challenge his musical decisions. This album's positive reviews here are undeserved and with time people will understand what a complete and utter failure it is.… Expand
  3. EthanPeter
    Oct 20, 2010
    2
    The album descends into experimentation for experimentation's sake. This is a shark-jumping effort in which the promise of the first two tracks is broken over and over again.
  4. iamx
    Oct 26, 2010
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It's a terrible mess. Most of the song is bad .. I do not know what else to Vic wrote assessment is probably more apt. His previous work and know the experience of The Age of Adz it or not going to find.… Expand
  5. JamieValerio
    Oct 27, 2010
    1
    I was appalled by the quality of this album. Especially, "Futile Devices" which is quite average in a sense that it sounds the same as every other song on the album except it has added nihilism which makes the overall quality of the album inappropriate and downright shameful to be called The Age of Adz.

    But that's just my opinion,
    - Jamie Valerio

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. CMJ
    Jan 11, 2011
    70
    The combination is ethereal and transcendent.
    Read full review
  2. Los Angeles Times
    Dec 23, 2010
    88
    Stevens ventures widely on this 85-minute disc to find the best way to express what turn out to be basic home truths.
    Read full review
  3. cokemachineglow
    Dec 21, 2010
    70
    Where he used be be so proficient at letting us hear the sound of his sad, sad heart, the directionless elliptical clutter that defines The Age of Adz just sounds to me like he's manufacturing an idea of what a sad heart might sound like. What's worse, it sounds self-indulgent.
    Read full review
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