Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. 100
    To say there isn't one bad track on this album would be a drastic understatement.
  2. Spin
    83
    She finally showcases a flow as strong as her vitriol. [Sep 2004, p.114]
  3. Grae can rhyme, and if she had a male larynx and a production budget, her hype men, chipmunk soul, minor-key piano hooks, and "I wanna rock a fella so bad" might stand underground on its head.
  4. Urb
    80
    Much as it is refreshing to find a spotlight being shone on the psyche of a headstrong young woman, This Week suffers from a frustrating consistency of musical tone. [Sep 2004, p.113]
  5. While I don't feel this to be anywhere near the seminal work that I feel she is utterly capable of, this is still essential listening from a highly relevant emcee.
  6. While no track dips below the quality line, the album lacks thematic fluidity and spark.
  7. In the end, This Week suffers largely from the hype---there’s no way this album could be as good as it was supposed to be.
  8. Uncut
    70
    Grae cruises eloquently over booming, soul-sampling backdrops that recall Jay-Z's recent triumphs. [Dec 2004, p.150]
  9. On This Week, Grae's tracks sound diverse and accomplished but rarely more than serviceable.... There are few sounds, or peers, in hip-hop right now who can do justice to Grae's emotional sophistication.
  10. Jean Grae continues to improve in every respect, but the negative aspect is that too many of the beats bleed into one another.
  11. Blender
    60
    Problem is, [her] words are rarely about anything but her own dexterity. [Oct 2004, p.122]
  12. Q Magazine
    60
    Like Talib Kweli... she mixes precise diction with writing that's high on observation and metaphysical promise. [Dec 2004, p.137]
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. JimmyP
    Dec 15, 2005
    10
    This album is unbelievable. That's too bad that it took me a long time to hear about her. She is the best female emcee that's out This album is unbelievable. That's too bad that it took me a long time to hear about her. She is the best female emcee that's out there, and dare I say the best emcee since MC Lyte. All of the lyrics on each song are original, and since she is a female emcee, it's even more original considering how she's not rapping about how good the sex is, or how big of a freak she is. P.S., and Whatever are some of the best songs I've heard in a long time. She is good as Talib Kweili, Mos Def, Nas, Common, Jay-z, and others. She has a swagger that mimics Jay-Z, which isn't a bad thing. I already know that this album didn't get five mics from the source, or four to four and a half stars from rolling stone, when Kanye West got five stars from the source. Oh well, I guess that's the way commercial works, and plus the fact that Lil' Kim, Foxy Brown, and Jacki-O are famous, but this phenominal emcee. No justice. If you like great emcees, go get this album. Full Review »
  2. LucL
    Jul 29, 2005
    9
    This album is a breath of fresh air. Yeah Jean is in love with her ego rhymes, but what rapper isn't? The point I'm making is, that This album is a breath of fresh air. Yeah Jean is in love with her ego rhymes, but what rapper isn't? The point I'm making is, that comes with the territory, but what sets her apart is the fact she isn't one-dimensional like 95% of the rap acts out today. She mixes up the subject matter enough to keep you paying attention to what she's saying. Peep the difference in her game on "Not Like Me", or the seemingly disturbed mind of "Going Crazy". And I don't think I've ever replayed a song as heavily as I have "P.S.", with its hook sending chills down my back as I walked home from work. I can confidently say it's one of the best hip-hop jams ever. Yes, ever. And trust that she's only getting better. Thank God for MC's like this. Full Review »