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The Silver Lining - Soul Asylum
User Score
8.3 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11

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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 can9;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
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. JeanneD
    Jul 20, 2006
    10
    I love this album!!!!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. SoniaC
    Jul 30, 2006
    10
    Great CD!!!!! is goog to have them back.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  4. MarkG.
    Apr 24, 2008
    2
    The user who mentioned Nickleback gave away more than they probably realise. The problem with The Silver Lining is how bog-standard it is throughout. Pirner's once sharp lyrics (Black Gold, Somebody To Shove, Cartoon) are now riddled with cliches and the music is criminally lacking in hooks and the frayed-at-the-edges rawness of the pre-A&M days. There's nothing wrong with a band growing more accomplished and polished with age but Soul Asylum have become a tired, uninspired MOR rock band, more similar to the aforementioned Nickleback than their former selves. When you consider that these guys were once mentioned in the same breath as The Replacements, Buffalo Tom and Husker Du, a lame effort like The Silver Lining is criminal. The last great song from a member of Soul Asylum was Dan Murphy's Ill-Fated with Golden Smog. On the strength of that song and what the band were once capable of, there is still a glimmer of hope for Soul Asylum.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  5. AnaC
    Jul 15, 2006
    9
    Great return of Soul Asylum!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  6. 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 "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
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  7. 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 "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
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  8. 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.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  9. SherV
    Jul 24, 2006
    9
    So happy to have them back, and this is a great listen!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  10. JoeyW
    Dec 27, 2006
    9
    Great record....gets better every time I listen to it.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
55 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. All Music Guide
    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.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »