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Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors
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Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors Image
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 53 Ratings

  • Summary: The second solo release for the OutKast rapper features guest appearances from such artists as A$AP Rocky, B.o.B, Kid Cudi, Killer Mike, Little Dragon, Ludacris, Phantogram, Kelly Rowland, T.I., and Wavves.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. Exclaim
    Dec 18, 2012
    100
    It's unfortunate that Vicious Lies has come out after everyone has finished compiling their year-end lists, but it's already a contender for best record of 2013.
  2. The A.V. Club
    Dec 11, 2012
    83
    Big Boi might have already seen his career peak, but he certainly is at his most selfless, honest, and exploratory now.
  3. XXL
    Dec 12, 2012
    80
    With his latest effort, Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors, the 37-year-old Dungeon Family elite again tackles fresh sonic landscapes while remaining nimble with verbal wizardry.
  4. CMJ
    Dec 18, 2012
    70
    Despite its excesses and missteps, the album gives Big Boi room to be Big Boi.
  5. Pitchfork
    Dec 10, 2012
    61
    Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors is on the one hand a genre-busting statement of artistic restlessness but it's also a mess.
  6. The Guardian
    Jan 3, 2013
    60
    While Killer Mike, Jai Paul and Big KRIT all earn their places, Kelly Rowland, Kid Cudi and Bosco are unnecessary decoration, and contribute to the overall sensation that this is a good album in need of a brutal trim.
  7. AllMusic
    Dec 10, 2012
    50
    Big Boi adapts to the unfamiliar surroundings with little effort and often sounds comfortable, but the fusions are short on power.

See all 32 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. monstymonst85
    Dec 12, 2012
    10
    Once again General Patton proves that not only is he the most fun man in music, he is also the most open-minded. Big Boi is willing to playOnce again General Patton proves that not only is he the most fun man in music, he is also the most open-minded. Big Boi is willing to play with any sounds, old or new, and it shows. From the Princesque pop ditty 'Mama Told Me' (featuring a sexy-sounding Kelly Rowland) to the straight-up Dirty South banger 'In the A', and more the more electronic numbers 'Objectum Sexuality' and 'Lines' - both featuring Phantogram - there's something for everyone here. But rather than catering to all tastes with three or four songs, Patton succeeds in making a mockery of genres and scenes. Which is to say that this album is just as approachable for a tight-jeaned indie scenester as it is an 80s funk or hip-hop diehard, or a present-day pop and R'n'B devotee.

    There is absolutely no filler here whatsoever, but perhaps the most intriguing cut of all is 'Shoes for Running', a collaboration with Wavves and the oft-derided B.o.B, who rides the choppy guitars which separate the anthemic, chanty-indie verses with ease. As any hip-hop-head will tell you, Big Boi's 2010 effort 'Sir Lucious Left Foot' was easily the album of its year, and 'Vicious Lies' is mounting a serious if last-ditch challenge for this year's award. Stunning stuff.    … Expand
  2. Derz
    Dec 11, 2012
    9
    Big Boi comes back from an amazing solo debut with an equally impressive album in its own right. He decided to switch things up for this oneBig Boi comes back from an amazing solo debut with an equally impressive album in its own right. He decided to switch things up for this one by experimenting with electronic and indie sounds, and it payed off. One of the most creative and unique rap albums of the year.… Expand
  4. Lumburjak
    Dec 12, 2012
    9
    Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors takes you to many places
  5. keve16
    Mar 26, 2015
    8
    7.7/10................................................................................................................................................
  6. QuintonB
    Jan 4, 2013
    7
    VL&DR is an uneven hipster rap album that attempts to achieve above and beyond Big Boi's capabilities. While his partner Andre 3000 may beVL&DR is an uneven hipster rap album that attempts to achieve above and beyond Big Boi's capabilities. While his partner Andre 3000 may be able to pull off weirdness well, Big Boi, unfortunately, cannot and often fails to leave a lasting impression with songs that seem almost amateurish. Thankfully, the highs outweigh the lows, with songs like, "The Thickets", the Janelle Monae-esque jam, "Apple of My Eye", "She Hates Me", "CPU", "Mama Told Me", "Lines", and "Tremendous Damage," being standouts.… Expand
  7. critic1million
    Dec 20, 2012
    7
    This is more good music than good rap or rapping. Big Boi does not really display top notch skills on this set he allows the musicalThis is more good music than good rap or rapping. Big Boi does not really display top notch skills on this set he allows the musical compositions to do a lot of the work as he chooses to just go with the flow. It will be hard for a fan of the more hardcore rap scene to really get into this. "In the A" is really the only time he enters the hardcore world. We must understand that not everything is for everybody and this is one of those things that some will not really appreciate. I appreciate it for what it really is; good music and not necessarily good rap.… Expand
  8. HeadRadio
    Dec 18, 2012
    4
    A very messy album filled with ideas not thoroughly conceived. There are some tracks that hit hard like In the A and Shoes for Running butA very messy album filled with ideas not thoroughly conceived. There are some tracks that hit hard like In the A and Shoes for Running but most of these songs are overdone and lost in electronic experimental nonsense. This is far bellow my expectations :(… Collapse

See all 12 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

98
#98 Most Discussed Album of 2012

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