The Greatest
by Cat Power
  • Record Label: Matador
  • Release Date: Jan 24, 2006
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 89 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 77 out of 89
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 89
  3. Negative: 4 out of 89

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  1. rass.
    Jan 3, 2009
    10
    perfect!
  2. StepanS
    Mar 6, 2006
    5
    Great form, but not really much content inside it.
  3. JamieS
    Jan 27, 2006
    3
    A big disappointment after so long. Average songs, not a lot of effort in the performances, and the band make her sound completely boring. What a mess.
  4. AttaBoy
    Jan 30, 2006
    9
    this is simply a great album. marshall allows the songs ebb and flow from one to the next, while not letting the individual songs lose their immediacy. the overall effect is a great album that appears effortless. i really think that this album will talked about with reverence in 10 years and beyond.
  5. JayM
    Feb 7, 2006
    6
    Okay. Definitely overhyped. This is above average music, but nothing special.
  6. BL
    Feb 8, 2006
    8
    It's a good album, if you ask me. But really, does anyone actually think the user opinions posted on Metacritic have any merit whatsoever? People just give their inane opinions but give little to nothing that would back those opinions. Saying this is "nothing special" tells me absolutely nothing about the album, for example. Conversely, telling me it's "wonderful" or even my own It's a good album, if you ask me. But really, does anyone actually think the user opinions posted on Metacritic have any merit whatsoever? People just give their inane opinions but give little to nothing that would back those opinions. Saying this is "nothing special" tells me absolutely nothing about the album, for example. Conversely, telling me it's "wonderful" or even my own comment "it's a good album" say nothing about the album. The key to critics is finding a critic or critics that you tend to agree with and read their reviews. So if you love Nickelback, for example, go to a critic who also loves Nickelback and see what he/she recommends. It's probably not Cat Power.… Expand
  7. Gnarles
    Jan 25, 2006
    9
    Other than the blah "Empty Shell" and the regressive, tuneless "Hate", this is just about as perfect as a Cat Power album can get. For once, she wraps her music in fleshed-out, full-sounding production, which allows her voice to soar. Her backing band of Memphis musicians, though, prove to be the most inspired choice, nudging Chan out of the comfort zone that weighed down her last couple Other than the blah "Empty Shell" and the regressive, tuneless "Hate", this is just about as perfect as a Cat Power album can get. For once, she wraps her music in fleshed-out, full-sounding production, which allows her voice to soar. Her backing band of Memphis musicians, though, prove to be the most inspired choice, nudging Chan out of the comfort zone that weighed down her last couple of records and pushing her to try new things. The Southern-fried sound they have created together is so warm and inviting, you'll wish you could live there. Some may miss the spare, haunted quality of her first few albums, but when an artist is seven albums into their career, they need to grow and stretch their legs or stagnate and be forgotten. Chan Marshall has luckily chosen the former, and the result is what will already be one of 2006's best albums. Don't pass The Greatest up. The title speaks the truth.… Expand
  8. BrianE
    Jan 26, 2006
    10
    don't beliee the hesitant reviewers - its perfect
  9. motb
    Jan 30, 2006
    10
    Marketing holds no credit for Cat Power's success. Word of mouth over the years and great music are the real reason this is even being heard. Marketing douches can kiss my arse and you Tom are a chump for implying that they help CP score high marks. Shame. Enjoy your Jovi, poseur dude.
  10. LawrenceP
    Jan 30, 2006
    8
    Mostly first-class singing and songwriting. Almost on par with "you are free"....Mr Kurt Cobain , your wife is on line two...
  11. madsl
    Jan 30, 2006
    7
    The three first songs are great and a welcome addition to the cat power canon. the rest of the stuff is not quite as captivating even though the album ends with yet another strong track, Love and Communication.
  12. worpswede
    Feb 5, 2006
    9
    Chan's highest achievement and front-to-back best album.
  13. ChuckF
    Feb 7, 2006
    7
    The first four songs are wonderful, and so is the last, but this woman is a train wreck. Her live shows are horrendous.
  14. lasttimeIsawyou
    Mar 2, 2006
    1
    unfortunately chan's been smokin' too long and it finally got to her. her voice isn't as good as it was before and the spare instrumentation of her past two records is sorely missed. if you haven't heard "the covers record" or "you are free" then go buy them now!
  15. ja
    Apr 5, 2007
    8
    Another relese full of restrained, beautiful song writing, but these new songs don't quite grab you the way her last album did. Still great, but not her best.
  16. ralphs
    Jan 24, 2006
    9
    gorgeous and heart breaking alll at the same time.
  17. rass.
    Jan 24, 2006
    10
    perfect!
  18. KurtCobain
    Jan 26, 2006
    8
    Meow! What a hottie! If I wasn't dead I would bang the bejesus out of her! Come to daddy baby.
  19. TomD
    Jan 26, 2006
    2
    i don't get it...this is just generic singer/songwriter territory. there aren't any memorable hooks or clever lines, and the songs are just bland. why does everyone think this is amazing? oh wait...marketing...
  20. RaulJ
    Jan 29, 2006
    8
    chan has expanded into orchestrated music and the results are a pleasure. her intimite charms are lushly accompanied with strings, horns and life. a welcomed step from a wonderful artist. to those who don't get it-good, you don't deserve to.
  21. AlexanderC
    Jan 29, 2006
    9
    A very fine album and a must have for any chan marshall fan old or new. Her eventual greatest hits album will be just sublime, however, that can wait.
  22. [Anonymous]
    Jan 30, 2006
    0
    cat power is overhyped crap, marketed to pretentious indie rock tone deaf idiots. this deserves a negative score.
  23. RobertA
    Feb 15, 2006
    8
    I enjoy this album. It has a nice vibe and all around good quality. I give it a solid 8.
  24. calvinh
    Feb 17, 2006
    6
    No depression? Don't listen this album. I can listen Chan Marshall's "You are free" (2003) only at a very low dosage, but I like it: not the same for this last work.
  25. JasonF
    Feb 3, 2006
    8
    I too was almost forced into learning about Cat Power. I get it. Totally chill music that very few could find offensive. I could play this in the car with my grandma or a nephew and no one would blnk. Grandma might say "thats nice". I too think it is nice. I would love a little more emotion or creativity. A combined effort with pedro the lion, Iron and wine or Sun kill moon could be I too was almost forced into learning about Cat Power. I get it. Totally chill music that very few could find offensive. I could play this in the car with my grandma or a nephew and no one would blnk. Grandma might say "thats nice". I too think it is nice. I would love a little more emotion or creativity. A combined effort with pedro the lion, Iron and wine or Sun kill moon could be neat-o. This might be one of the years best. I am now a fan. Marketing or not. J_… Expand
  26. RIck
    Feb 6, 2006
    5
    Honestly, what's so great about this?
  27. MeyaC.
    Mar 24, 2006
    6
    it kind of bored me, but there were still a few good songs on it. chan marshall's voice is as beautiful as ever.
  28. Jordan
    Mar 7, 2006
    9
    I like some of there select songs better on other albums, flow wise. Still an epic band, with sure to be classic songs.
  29. Andy
    Aug 22, 2006
    6
    Gets a little monotonous as it drags on. The first three tracks are fantastic though.
  30. JeremyF
    May 8, 2007
    6
    I give it a 6, 3 stars out of 5. I personally think it has lost something major... but so cryptically that I can't put my finger on what. YOU ARE FREE and MOON PIX are so much better, in my opinion. They have all the sadness and mood, but melody and feeling to boot. Although "The Greatest" and "Hate" are two of her best songs ever, this cd fails in comparison to her previous works. I I give it a 6, 3 stars out of 5. I personally think it has lost something major... but so cryptically that I can't put my finger on what. YOU ARE FREE and MOON PIX are so much better, in my opinion. They have all the sadness and mood, but melody and feeling to boot. Although "The Greatest" and "Hate" are two of her best songs ever, this cd fails in comparison to her previous works. I think I even like DEAR SIR better, but, that might be pushing it.… Expand
  31. Matt
    Jan 24, 2006
    10
    Cat Power's The Greatest doesn't feel like an effort to re-create the soul sound. It feels as real and as natural as when Dusty Springfield did it. And her vocals are better than ever.
  32. LF
    Jan 24, 2006
    10
    This album is lighter, softer and brighter than everything she's done befone, but still this is Chan Marshall. The backing band, full of Memphis veteran musicians, is what gives her music a different atmosphere - soul & country touches, her minimalist piano and unmistakable voice. The highlights are "Lived in Bars", "The Moon" and "Love and Communication".
  33. AdamK
    Jan 24, 2006
    10
    I love this album and cat power. May she keep on truckn.
  34. JamesA
    Jan 28, 2006
    9
    At first I was a little disapointed by this album because Cat Power has been so emotionally moving (I am a big fan of the early, sparse sound which is gone now, although I realize that you cannot keep making the same stuff and stay real) My expectations were high. After I had time to sit with it, I found it to be a good progression for Chan and I especially enjoyed the title track, Love At first I was a little disapointed by this album because Cat Power has been so emotionally moving (I am a big fan of the early, sparse sound which is gone now, although I realize that you cannot keep making the same stuff and stay real) My expectations were high. After I had time to sit with it, I found it to be a good progression for Chan and I especially enjoyed the title track, Love and Communication and The Moon, which are all time great Cat Power songs and the album is worth it for those songs alone. Chan is so good that even my least favorite album from her is miles ahead of other artists.… Expand
  35. sarahk
    Jan 29, 2006
    7
    Good album--don't expect another YOU ARE FREE, this album proves Marshall's diversity while maintaining some familiar elements
  36. JimC
    Feb 19, 2006
    9
    Beautiful and seductive.
  37. kirbyw
    Mar 19, 2006
    10
    some of you people aren't paying attention. i've got all of her cd's and this one alone has 8 great songs on it. and the '03 and covers cd are quality also. check out sally timms,get well soon chan.
  38. mr.hankey
    Mar 28, 2006
    9
    Obviously this is not even close to the brilliance of " You Are Free " but it will have to do. Chan Marshall aka Cat Power goes for the memphis blues to influence her on this wonderful album that seems to have deep thought and love put into it. Chan Marshall has a true and disturbingly real voice that comes out at you and you listen in awe. But this as I said before is not her best album Obviously this is not even close to the brilliance of " You Are Free " but it will have to do. Chan Marshall aka Cat Power goes for the memphis blues to influence her on this wonderful album that seems to have deep thought and love put into it. Chan Marshall has a true and disturbingly real voice that comes out at you and you listen in awe. But this as I said before is not her best album " The Covers Record and " You Are Free" stand out as her best even though they lack many traits for a perfect album they are still folk/ rock masterpieces. I do love " The Greatest " It is still a album that will not let you lose grip of. My last words are that if you are a fan of Chan then give it a try even though many fans do not enjoy it is still worth a listen who would you rather listen to Britney Spears or Chan Marshall?… Expand
  39. cnestor
    Jan 13, 2011
    10
    I listened to this album eveyday for 3 years. It's just wonderful. The backing band are rock steady and perfectly accentuate her voice. You have no soul if you don't like this album!
  40. raviopatra
    Nov 20, 2013
    10
    People are always trying to be different. This album is the definition of perfection. It's been years since it was first released, but I can still enjoy the whole album playing repeatedly today. "The Greatest" is a tremendous accomplishment both musically and lyrically. Anyone giving this album a score below 7 is only trying to not be the "mainstream" reviewers or simply underrating bothPeople are always trying to be different. This album is the definition of perfection. It's been years since it was first released, but I can still enjoy the whole album playing repeatedly today. "The Greatest" is a tremendous accomplishment both musically and lyrically. Anyone giving this album a score below 7 is only trying to not be the "mainstream" reviewers or simply underrating both Marshall and the album.… Expand
  41. CamdenRendell
    Jan 29, 2018
    8
    It is a wonderful album. Very slow, yet still engaging. The lyrics tell great stories.

Awards & Rankings

69
#69 Best Album of 2006
74
#74 Most Discussed Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. Playlouder
    80
    Aside from one or two bore-me-ups, this is an album of understated perfection.
    Read full review
  2. PopMatters
    60
    It doesn't take a genius to see that this is a wicked concept on paper: Marshall's got the voice and the vibe to make it work, but there's a nagging sense that it wasn't properly planned out.
    Read full review
  3. Uncut
    90
    Similarly to Lambchop's Nixon, it weaves together new and old, soul and country, black and white, love and hate, to form an understated masterpiece. [Feb 2006, p.74]
See all critic reviews »