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The Scene Of The Crime
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The Scene Of The Crime Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 6 Ratings

  • Summary: LaVette's latest features the Drive-By Truckers as her backing band.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    Is there a more wrenching soul singer alive than Bettye LaVette? If so, keep it to yourself, because I'm too wrung out from The Scene of the Crime's intensity to take anything more emotionally potent.
  2. Amazon.com
    90
    The singer's whiskey-stained voice infuses those words with a fierce mix of pride, hurt, resignation, sadness, strength, and humility--traits that make her one of the finest R&B singers of her generation. There are other riveting moments rivaling that from this deeply moving set.
  3. Vibe
    80
    The album is a celebration of LaVette's vocals--burnished, bruised but resoundingly unbeaten. [Nov 2007, p.96]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Billboard
    80
    Despite her co-conspirators, LaVette proves again that she's the star of the show.
  5. Pitchfork
    77
    LaVette is a proud interpreter, and even back in her earlier days she was covering David Bowie and Neil Young, but on Scene of the Crime her choices are a little less NPR-friendly than they were on the all-female critics darling roster of "Hell to Raise."
  6. PopMatters
    70
    The Scene of the Crime is music without a shelf life.
  7. NOW Magazine
    40
    LaVette has little rapport with Hood, and her uneasiness interpreting his lyrics and the strange cover choices (Elton John's 'Talking Old Soldiers,' Willie Nelson's 'Somebody Pick Up My Pieces') comes through in every vocal performance.

See all 18 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. FredW.
    Oct 20, 2007
    10
    Astounding!
  2. OliverP.
    Oct 20, 2007
    10
    Bettye LaVette finally takes her place along side the great singers in the business. It's a place where she ALWAYS belonged, but for Bettye LaVette finally takes her place along side the great singers in the business. It's a place where she ALWAYS belonged, but for reasons now being revealed, was left behind. Now, she's winning awards, appearing in top places and getting the recognition and critical acclaim afforded to only great stars. Her new CD is wonderful and richly deserving of awards. GIVE THEM TO HER!… Expand
  4. donl.
    Oct 20, 2007
    10
    Simply one of the best records released in 2007. Joe Henry is tough to beat as a producer (see 2005 Hell to Raise) and Patterson Hood Simply one of the best records released in 2007. Joe Henry is tough to beat as a producer (see 2005 Hell to Raise) and Patterson Hood doesn't but so what? Bettye LaVette sings like her life is on the line, every song, every note. This is intense music and well worth the listen. Essential.… Collapse
  5. ChrisK
    Nov 25, 2007
    8
    Listen once and you're almost stunned. Listen twice and the message grabs you. Listen three times and you realize that covers are more Listen once and you're almost stunned. Listen twice and the message grabs you. Listen three times and you realize that covers are more than just some singer singing an originally performed arrangement ... it's too bad we've lost the kind of stylizing that Bettye brings to this wonderful R&B / Classic Soul record. The Drive By Truckers drive the groove to near perfection for being a rock band.… Expand
  6. World&Music.gr
    Jan 6, 2008
    7
    It could had been better but who needs perfection when you have sensation?

Awards & Rankings

72
#72 Best Album of 2007

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