Under Construction
by Missy Elliott
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Pitchfork
    72
    A good record with some incredibly sick production work.
  2. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    80
    Strange and wonderful.
  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    'Under Construction' is stuck all over with shocks and surprises, more than enough to keep the rogue-scientist glitchmasters who mutated 'Get Ur Freak On' in mischief for months.
  5. E! Online
    100
    Even with all the drama, Construction is Elliott's sturdiest creation yet.
  6. Playlouder
    80
    This is better than anyone could have expected.
  7. Uncut
    70
    When she's raised the stakes so high, anything less than the reinvention of music comes as a disappointment. [Jan 2003, p.122]
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  8. Salon
    90
    Missy scores the highest marks in the qualities shared by all gifted rappers: rhymes, flow, cleverness and style.
  9. The A.V. Club
    80
    In the long shadow of death, Elliott and Timbaland's funky, feisty, infectious music joyously celebrates life.
  10. Blender
    100
    Tempering futurism with retro-rap here, [Timbaland and Missy] feed the old through the new and refresh both. [#12, p.142]
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  11. Rolling Stone
    80
    Under Construction, uninhibited and unpredictable, is her best yet.
  12. Mojo
    80
    It's the first time in the history of the Missy-Timbaland team-up where, having delivered the goods early on and earned the space to do whatever theheck they like, they tread water instead of pushing things forward. [Album of the Month, Jan 2003, p.90]
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  13. Launch.com
    70
    As good overall as the tracks here are, that bit about familiarity breeding contempt rings true.
  14. AllMusic
    90
    One of the best rap LPs of the year.
  15. Mixer
    80
    Clever and catchy at every turn. [Jan 2003, p.74]
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  16. Ink Blot Magazine
    80
    Unlike most of her peers, she knows that fun is really the fifth element of hip-hop, and she keeps finding thrilling new ways to make this music danceable and fun.
  17. Q Magazine
    80
    Fortunately, Elliott and Timbaland's idea of old school is rather unorthodox. [Jan 2003, p.121]
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  18. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    With each album, Elliott has grown more confident and individualistic, not to mention more bizarre.

Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Best Album of 2002
84
#84 Most Discussed Album of 2002
72
#72 Most Shared Album of 2002

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 39 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 39
  3. Negative: 3 out of 39
  1. clem666
    Nov 27, 2021
    7
    Great project ! Far from being refreshing (obviously according to today's standards) this album remains a major pillar for hip-hop history. IGreat project ! Far from being refreshing (obviously according to today's standards) this album remains a major pillar for hip-hop history. I found that the album starts with some quite disappointing productions : from the intro to 'Work It' included the tracks sound pretty aggressive, unnuanced and rough. After that 'Under Construction' takes a major turn and tends to become a album more chill, attractive and catchy. The peak for me was the two songs 'Slide' and 'Play That Beat' while the very end of the album manages to reconnect to what I mostly disliked in its early stages. The remix track with 50 Cent constitute a major let down and is terribly disappointing.

    All along the LP the message is clear, ineteresting and engaged. It felt amazing to listen to such a confident, creative and humble female artist deliberately playing a male game with strong male standards. And we all have to admit she did it more than better. Respect Missy.    … Full Review »
  2. Felipecritic
    Nov 24, 2017
    7
    Missy e Timbaland deveriam virar um duo, os dois são muito poderosos juntos! Junta-se o rap da MIssy com as batidas do Timbaland e resulta emMissy e Timbaland deveriam virar um duo, os dois são muito poderosos juntos! Junta-se o rap da MIssy com as batidas do Timbaland e resulta em ótimos álbuns.… Full Review »
  3. BWETMatangi
    Aug 9, 2013
    5
    Everybody loves Missy, but this is her worst work. "Work It" is the summer anthem of the album, and that's the high point. But Missy is very talented.
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