The Sound of Sunshine
by Michael Franti & Spearhead
  • Record Label: Capitol
  • Release Date: Sep 21, 2010
Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    On The Sound of Sunshine, "I'll Be Waiting" reaches for U2 grandeur, but Michael Franti is best as an amiable neo-Marley busker, asking for change, love, and maybe one more shot at crossover gold.
  2. Paste Magazine
    75
    This is an album that's best enjoyed with a sweating Red Stripe, at least 95% humidity and an abandonment of cares.
  3. The Independent on Sunday (UK)
    May 18, 2011
    70
    From dancefloor tracks such as "Shake It" to a lover's rock vibe on "Only Thing Missing Was You", Franti has made an eclectic, conscious album
  5. BBC Music
    May 13, 2011
    70
    Two or three songs slip into Jack Johnson-ish blandness, but for the most part The Sound of Sunshine makes good on the promise of its undeniably appetising title.
  6. AllMusic
    70
    To say the record isn't "challenging" is an understatement, especially when looking at his early work, but it's easy to overlook how skillfully the man crafts positive music that's sunshine, and yet not sugary.
  7. Q Magazine
    May 31, 2011
    60
    The mood is a celebratory, the vibe relaxed and one-time socially conscious hip hopper Franti makes like he's the happiest guy on the planet. [Jun 2011, p.124]
    All this publication's reviews
  8. American Songwriter
    60
    The unrelenting earnestness of the album may appeal to some listeners and repel others, but in either case Franti has achieved his goal of capturing the "sound of sunshine"--and it seems like he's having too good a time to care what anyone thinks, anyway.
  9. Rolling Stone
    60
    most poppy album yet is full of reggae hybrids and his best stab at arena rock.
  10. Austin Chronicle
    50
    Summer's gone, but the buoyant vibe to The Sound of Sunshine extends year-round.
  11. Mojo
    May 18, 2011
    40
    A festival friendly selection of gossamer reggae-lite that even jacks a riff from U2's Bad On I'll Be Waiting, although the mood is more a love up, unplugged Boomtown Rats, with Franti carefully to ensure his unflinching positivity doesn't become too wearing. [Jun 2011, p.104]
    All this publication's reviews
  12. PopMatters
    40
    For all its louche jangling, for all its pleasant naivety, there isn't very much here that's worth waking up to, nor lounging to, least of all gently lamenting the passing of the seasons to.
  13. Uncut
    Jun 3, 2011
    20
    Anyone seeking the funky militancy of The Beatnigs or The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy may be baffled. [Jul 2011, p.82]
    All this publication's reviews

User Reviews

All reviews »

There are no user reviews yet.