User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 574 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 516 out of 574
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Mixed: 22 out of 574
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Negative: 36 out of 574
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Aug 22, 2010
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ChetanPMay 23, 2010Every labored-over song in this intentional masterpiece stands out as a shining example of its kind. As with all of the best concept albums, you're better off ignoring the concept entirely. Forget about this Metropolis android nonsense; the songs and orchestral interludes here revolve only around the human heart, soul, and spirit.
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KennedyJ.May 20, 2010This album is absolutely incredible. Words and emotions are a stretch to even appropriately review/describe this. It's a blessing to the world. Thank God.
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BillMay 21, 2010Excellent album, but I would say that the obvious singles in it (Cold War and Tightrope) disrupt its flow somewhat, despite being excellent tracks in themselves.
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Sep 9, 2010
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LeinadSMay 21, 2010Wow! Familiar sounds though so new too, sweeping and glorious and exciting stuff! An awesome effort that deserves all the accolades it's getting. Congratulations to everyone involved in what has to be a groundbreaking project.
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Oct 8, 2011
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ThisRocksMay 19, 2010
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Aug 28, 2010
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Nov 17, 2010I was previously a Janelle fan when i heard "Violet Star Happy Hunting", so i was generally happy when i heard of this album coming out. But i had NO idea what i was in store for, she is simply amazing, and it's Very rare that i actually listen to a whole album without skipping songs, I am officially a Janelle Monae fan from now.
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Apr 26, 2011
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Dec 26, 2010
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Feb 19, 2011
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Jul 30, 2012To put it short: For the evolution of art form called music - this is the most important album made since Bruce Springsteen's Born To Run in 1975. I'm completely amazed by the way Janelle Monáe ventures to different genres and everytime, hits a home-run.
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Jan 4, 2013
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Apr 24, 2018
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Aug 28, 2020very original. incredible concept and lyric content. janelle never ever misses.
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Nov 22, 2010After a very good year in music overall, this was THE BEST album overall for 2010. I am not a fan of most modern R&B, but this album has me listening to more. Prince, Bowie, M Jackson are all present here. Top to bottom, there are some real classic songs on this album. Definitely should be on every list for best new artist and best album.
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Aug 16, 2010"What's all the fuss about?" I hear you say! Don't you know??? Somebody made a reasonably ok pop record!!!
The hype and the ratings only indicate the bad shape of the 2010 music industry in general. -
TimQMay 20, 2010Way over-hyped. The record is nothing more than eclectic and pretentious. It meddles in so many genres that it's intent is confused. It comes off as gaudy and too eager to impress. Very little substance painted with glitter and gold. Don't support this meaningless artist when there are so many better musicians struggling in obscurity.
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MukumbaA.May 20, 2010Wow, talk about an overrated album. You got a guy like flying lotus doing something ALMOST NOBODY OR NOBODY have the courage to do now and you got this good album but not a mastepiece having a rating better than cosmogramma. If you know music, you become a musician. If you don't know, you become a music critic.
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carablef.May 23, 2010Really?!? the production and variation stand out a tad, but vocally she sounds just like any other top 40 pop act, no new character.
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JonAMay 22, 2010
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Sep 30, 2010I think its quite good. I'm not sure I think its as good as so many others appear convinced it is, but its quite good. The only question now is when we will see the Lady Gaga-esque re-release with The Chase EP in tow. It's gotta be coming. My guess is sometime right after the Grammy's.
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Nov 1, 2010
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RoboN.May 19, 2010The ArchAndroid truly is an eMotion picture like Janelle Monae stated. The album continues Cindi Mayweather's journey and it must be heard from beginning to end. It will not disappoint you!
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JoshF.May 19, 2010It took all of one listen to know this was instantly near the top of my Desert Island discs list. And it should be high on yours, too.
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JohnnyD.May 21, 2010Def the best album of the year so far. Can't stop listening!!!
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BradleyCMay 20, 2010I am IN LOVE with this album! She took a interesting concept and made it her own....it's like going on a fantastic journey...along the way, meeting different people and having different experiences. I love it so much!
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LaurenMay 21, 2010Brilliant!! The album is so innovative; i've have heard songs like this before!!
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Awards & Rankings
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The result is a dizzying fusion, marked by its lofty ambition and stunning central performance.
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For a first album, The ArchAndroid is astoundingly accomplished. It would be a lie to say there aren't a few lulls in the back end of the record as Monae begins to take fewer risks, but only the truly seminal albums can keep the quality level so high for over an hour.
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To say it's ambitious feels like damning with faint praise; its sheer musical scope--from the James Brown funk of Tightrope to the English pastoral folk of Oh, Maker--is spellbinding.