The Silver Lining
by Soul Asylum
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Jul 11, 2006
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12

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  1. EstabonS
    Oct 20, 2006
    9
    I have been a fan since their inception and I LOVE this album! It captures America's early 21st century angst like a very groovy and touching snapshot. The beautiful sublety of the themes lie in the fact that everything is 'laid between the lines'; i.e. the hauntingly evocative "Standing Water" which brought me to tears (I grew up 40 miles from New Orleans and still I have been a fan since their inception and I LOVE this album! It captures America's early 21st century angst like a very groovy and touching snapshot. The beautiful sublety of the themes lie in the fact that everything is 'laid between the lines'; i.e. the hauntingly evocative "Standing Water" which brought me to tears (I grew up 40 miles from New Orleans and still can't get over the fact that MOST of the city looks quite a lot like Fallujah to this day). The 'pro' critics must NOT be used to listening to music versus merely 'hearing' the music! The Great Exaggerator would make a hell of a campaign song for anyone who is NOT up George Bush's wazoo..... Buy it, You'll like it! Mr. Estabon My name is Bon and I approve of this posting!… Expand
  2. JeanneD
    Jul 20, 2006
    10
    I love this album!!!!
  3. SoniaC
    Jul 30, 2006
    10
    Great CD!!!!! is goog to have them back.
  4. AnaC
    Jul 15, 2006
    9
    Great return of Soul Asylum!
  5. DougR
    Sep 15, 2006
    9
    While not as undeniably brilliant as anything pre-their last masterpiece ("Let Your Dim Light Shine") I haven't been able to stop listening to this record. Even the few songs which are admittedly lyrically lacking or somewhat sappy are still catchy as all hell and this album does what their last one ("Candy from a Stranger") just plain never did: rocks your ass. Standout tracks like While not as undeniably brilliant as anything pre-their last masterpiece ("Let Your Dim Light Shine") I haven't been able to stop listening to this record. Even the few songs which are admittedly lyrically lacking or somewhat sappy are still catchy as all hell and this album does what their last one ("Candy from a Stranger") just plain never did: rocks your ass. Standout tracks like "Oxygen", "Bus Named Desire", "Standing Water", "All is Well" and "Slowly Rising/ Fearless Leader" are all instant classics and anyone of them would fit perfectly on "Made to be Broken" or "Hang Time" or whatever your favorite early SA album may be. RIP Karl.… Expand
  6. JakobK
    Mar 13, 2007
    9
    Without a doubt, Soul Asylum know how to craft songs that stay with you. I remember hearing the tunes of "Runaway Train" all through my childhood, but only recently found out that they are so much more than one-hit wonders. It turns out "Runaway Train" was in no way a lone masterpiece; the songs on The Silver Lining have that very same emotion to them. With quality tracks such as Without a doubt, Soul Asylum know how to craft songs that stay with you. I remember hearing the tunes of "Runaway Train" all through my childhood, but only recently found out that they are so much more than one-hit wonders. It turns out "Runaway Train" was in no way a lone masterpiece; the songs on The Silver Lining have that very same emotion to them. With quality tracks such as "Lately," "Whatcha Need," and "Standing Water," it is a shame that radio and TV didn't pick this album up. The Silver Lining is an awesome album, and a memorable last effort if Soul Asylum would decide to go their separate ways after this.… Expand
  7. MattD.
    Jul 21, 2006
    9
    I think the professional reviewers are off the mark here, as they often are. This is quite mainstream, but it isn't pandering to radio or insulting the audience. They should replace Nickelback on the radio.
  8. SherV
    Jul 24, 2006
    9
    So happy to have them back, and this is a great listen!
  9. JoeyW
    Dec 27, 2006
    9
    Great record....gets better every time I listen to it.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
55

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. AllMusic
    60
    The Silver Lining suggests that Soul Asylum might still have another great album in them (especially if Murphy does more of the songwriting), but this one certainly isn't it.
    Read full review
  2. Amazon.com
    70
    Sport[s] a trace more big league sparkle, but with the frayed cleverness and rock-solid musicianship that their fans know best.
    Read full review
  3. Billboard
    60
    An old-school alternative rock album full of oversized riffs and open-hearted hooks.
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