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The Outsider Image
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

  • Summary: The country singer-songwriter follows 'Fate's Right Hand' with an 11-song set that includes a collaboration with Emmylou Harris and John Prine on Bob Dylan's "Shelter from the Storm."
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    100
    An unexpected ball. [19 Aug 2005, p.144]
  2. Billboard
    90
    The third in a trilogy of introspective masterworks sees no decline in genius but an uptick in rockability. [20 Aug 2005]
  3. Rocks harder than any Crowell record in the past.
  4. Mojo
    70
    Crowell employs his gift for setting complex ideas to twangy hooks. [Oct 2005, p.101]
  5. The Outsider may be a cut below its predecessor, the artistic, critical, and commercial breakthrough that was Fate's Right Hand--perhaps the element of surprise is gone, perhaps the songs aren't quite as sharp, perhaps it's just not possible to catch lightning in a bottle twice in a row--but that was a tough act to follow, and this one's none too shabby.
  6. Rolling Stone
    70
    The least fussy and most direct of the three albums [Crowell] has released since returning from creative limbo five years ago. [22 Sep 2005, p.108]
  7. Paste Magazine
    40
    The Outsider consistently grabs at transcendence only to watch it recede. [Aug/Sep 2005, p.110]

See all 9 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. LornaA
    Sep 27, 2005
    10
    As a listener to an exceedingly eclectic variety of music for over 40 years,I must say that this is right up there in the top of the As a listener to an exceedingly eclectic variety of music for over 40 years,I must say that this is right up there in the top of the CD's I own...near perfect. Best work Crowell has ever done. "Beautiful Despair" is knowing I will never write like Crowell on this release. Don't be put off by the "country" label. This transcends genre. I am buying copies for everyone I love. Expand
  2. ValA
    Oct 6, 2005
    10
    Rocks hard, says what he's thinking. I love it.
  3. asdfaasdf
    Nov 18, 2005
    10
    good
  4. LL
    Jan 24, 2007
    10
    Damn nice........ socially.......... morally........ indivisdualy