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The Awakening - Melissa Etheridge
The Awakening Image
Metascore
66 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 5 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.5 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 4 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Summary: The ninth studio album for the Kansas-born singer.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. All Music Guide
    70
    It's interesting that while so many of these songs are peppered with faux-mystical approaches to spirituality, the album is also confessional and looks hard at itself, even if at times it seems cloying, self-indulgent, and preachy.
  2. Rolling Stone
    70
    Melissa Etheridge finds both a depth and an ease that eluded her on previous releases.
  3. Los Angeles Times
    40
    Toning down the sonic drama creates an appealing intimacy, but an hour's worth of blues- and folk-flavored ballads becomes monotonous.

See all 5 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. CoreyS
    10
    It's pretty clear to me that the reviewers just don't get this album. Calling this 'an hour's worth of blues-and folk-flavored ballads' is like calling Iron Maiden a boy band. This is quite simply Melissa's masterpiece. This is her Nebraska. This is her Pet Sounds. This is her Abbey Road. It has the potential hit singles in Message To Myself, California, Threesome and What Happens Tomorrow. It also has some great non radio-friendly songs such as Map Of The Stars, The Kingdom Of Heaven and the Universe Listened that make this a very cohesive album (a concept that is all but completely lost in today's music) that details Melissa's journey. It also features quite possibly the best love song that she has ever written in I Think I've Loved You Before. The Awakening is a classic!… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. MattD.
    7
    Somewhat disappointing musically, but it has many very poignant and powerful lyrics. Some of the political stuff here might sway the more hardened conservatives. If you like the rocky Melissa, listen to it first, but others should find it a fine addition to her catalog.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

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