The Dreamer/The Believer - Common
Metascore
74 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
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  1. The Independent (UK)
    Dec 16, 2011
    100
    That he manages to express such ethical and religious principles without coming across like a sanctimonious buzz-killer is quite remarkable.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Jan 3, 2012
    91
    Common attacks his ninth album with much intensity. [6 Jan 2012, p.73]
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  3. DJ Booth
    Dec 20, 2011
    90
    Together the two vets have created a work that's worthy of some serious recognition.
  4. HipHopDX
    Dec 19, 2011
    90
    Every song on The Dreamer/The Believer succeeds off the strength of Common and No I.D.'s seasoned chemistry.
  5. RapReviews.com
    Feb 2, 2012
    85
    This isn't an album of 1990's styles brought to 2012 - these are contemporary beats and rhymes that can hang with anything else coming out on the scene
  6. Prefix Magazine
    Dec 21, 2011
    85
    The Dreamer, The Believer reestablishes Common's place in the upper echelon of hip hop.
  7. Paste Magazine
    Dec 20, 2011
    81
    Common stands out from the best hip-hop albums of 2011 by doing what he has always done best since the '90s and standing firm in his style.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.9 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 35 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Kekoa33
    5
    I like Common, and I have for a long time, that's why this cd was just "ok" for me. I like his flow, the beats are fine, but there's something missing for me. I think my expectations for his are so high, a conventional album just won't cut it from him anymore. It's very similar to Finding Forever for me. I did not like Universal Mind Control, but liked the idea of stepping outside of his box and trying something new.… Full Review »
  2. BIGREESE
    10
    Fantastic flow, and tight lyrics... but that is what you expect with Common. The only downside one could say about this album is that it sounds somewhat like his old albums... he treads familiar waters you could say... but i sure as hell don't mind that at all. Its not revolutionary or a career best or classic. Its just good wholesome rap... and sadly we don't see a lot of that these days.… Full Review »
  3. E-lie
    10
    It's a solid album that is significantly better than his experimental effort with UMC. Definitely strengthens his overall catalog, especially with songs like "The Dreamer", "Ghetto Dreams", "Blue Sky", "Sweet", "Raw", "Love I Lost" & "Cloth" all being on one disc. Solid 12 track LP, definitely worth of being in the 70's meta-score.… Full Review »
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