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The Way It Really Is
by
The Way It Really Is Image
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 10 Ratings

  • Summary: The bespectacled singer-songwriter and Food Network hostess returns with a slightly darker effort, confusingly titled after a song that appeared on her previous album but is not included here.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Billboard
    80
    Shows a sure production sense to match the ever-perceptive singer/songwriter's observations on life and love.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    Her writing is stronger than ever, and the material is curiously light on its feet. [13 Aug 2004, p.89]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. E! Online
    75
    Is she blazing new trails? Naw. But this sounds exactly right.
  4. Blender
    70
    Full of life and energy. [Sep 2004, p.138]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. PopMatters
    70
    On The Way It Really Is, it sounds like she is out to please longtime fans and win new converts. The former will probably be delighted, but those who've not been fans of Lisa in the past probably won't be swayed by the evidence on this CD.
  6. Rolling Stone
    60
    Even the slowest stuff here is palatable. [19 Aug 2004, p.120]
    All this publication's reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. FelipeS
    Aug 19, 2004
    10
    Lisa is the best!!!Darker than her other stuff with great songwring BUY IT NOW!!!
  2. KentB
    Aug 25, 2004
    10
    The album is an homage to her recently demised relationship with Dweezil Zappa; it details the different emotions one goes through when a The album is an homage to her recently demised relationship with Dweezil Zappa; it details the different emotions one goes through when a breakup occurs. I find the entire CD excellent. … Collapse
  4. [Anonymous]
    Aug 27, 2004
    10
    Awesome stuff in a market of pathetic attempts at pop and folk. Truely inspiring and heartfelt.
  5. Tori
    Dec 20, 2004
    10
    One of the more brilliant and overlooked albums of the year, this is a sonic delight, with heartfelt lyrics and catchy melodies. One of the more brilliant and overlooked albums of the year, this is a sonic delight, with heartfelt lyrics and catchy melodies. Congratulations Lisa, you've proven yourself to be a musician worthy of respect. "The Way It Really Is" is a MUST HAVE CD. Get it today!… Expand
  6. ZacharyL
    Sep 2, 2006
    10
    It is an absluotley incredible CD by the best artist ever!!!