The Duel
by Allison Moorer
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. Billboard
    100
    The kind of record from which careers are made.
  2. Amazon.com
    90
    As with all great country music, exquisite execution, splendid sound, and depth of feeling combine to create a cathartic, redemptive result.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Though Moorer's haunting characters delay the inevitable by juggling booze and pills, their stuggle ends with redemption. [16 Apr 2004, p.76]
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  5. Q Magazine
    80
    The raggedy, pared-back approach puts the spotlight right back where it should be: on Moorer herself. [May 2004, p.106]
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  6. Stylus Magazine
    80
    Not just a great record, but a much-needed dose of country-rock reality.
  7. AllMusic
    80
    Moorer, besides being good at penning lyrics, is smart enough to write catchy hooks.
  8. Logo
    80
    By far her best yet.
  9. ShakingThrough.net
    76
    Allison Moorer abandons the glossy textures and pop friendly hooks of her last album Miss Fortune for a grittier, more lived-in sound on The Duel.
  10. Blender
    70
    Her voice--half dark, lazy molasses, half bourbon with a silky finish--rings with equal parts defiance and vulnerability. [May 2004, p.128]
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  11. Rolling Stone
    70
    Most of the songs are like a Southern accent: eight miles an hour, deliberate and very dangerous to underestimate.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. charlesm
    Jan 17, 2005
    9
    This is the best I've heard of her so far, and one of the best albums of 2003. It creates an interesting world and it's hard to This is the best I've heard of her so far, and one of the best albums of 2003. It creates an interesting world and it's hard to shake its vision once the disc stops spinning. Excellent sound, excellent voice. Wrenching, powerful stuff. Not a sour apple in the whole barrel. A 9.6!… Full Review »
  2. RobM
    Dec 14, 2004
    7
    I like Allison Moorer - I've got all her records, but I'm afraid I can't agree with the critics who say this is her best yet. I like Allison Moorer - I've got all her records, but I'm afraid I can't agree with the critics who say this is her best yet. Her best so far is her second album, "The Hardest Part," which is where new listeners should start. I love the sound of The Duel, and it's pretty good, but lacks the texture and tightness that would make it a great album. I admire her though, she's a working musician with a working band just doing her thing, and I hope she gets to keep releasing records.… Full Review »
  3. DavidB
    May 11, 2004
    8
    There's a clutch of excellent songs on this album and any weaknesses are more than made up for by Allison's superb voice. Buy it!
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