The ArchAndroid - Janelle Monae
User Score
8.9 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 312 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 290 out of 312
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 312
  3. Negative: 12 out of 312

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  1. mark
    Aug 16, 2010
    4
    "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.
  2. TimQ
    May 20, 2010
    2
    Way 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.
  3. carablef.
    May 23, 2010
    4
    Really?!? the production and variation stand out a tad, but vocally she sounds just like any other top 40 pop act, no new character.
  4. toffeedaz
    Nov 1, 2010
    3
    I really wanted to like this album and was intrigued to hear the genre-crossing styles. There are a few quirky moments here and there and the album is well produced, but the genuinely interesting bits are few and far between. The album sounds like they are trying to throw in as many styles as they can and to a certain extent it achieves this and is probably why it's getting such rave reviews. However, this feat alone does not make it a good album and I found the majority of the album rather contrived and soulless and this ultimately left me bored and expecting more. I'm sorry but it's not the masterpiece that is being touted.… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
91 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 28 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. BBC Music
    90
    The result is a dizzying fusion, marked by its lofty ambition and stunning central performance.
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  2. No Ripcord
    90
    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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  3. The Guardian
    100
    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.
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