Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors Image
Metascore

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

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 41 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.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 32
  2. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. 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. Dec 13, 2012
    80
    This isn't an immediate album. It's one that will take a few listens, but your patience will be rewarded.
  3. Dec 20, 2012
    80
    It's really working out for him.
  4. Jan 24, 2013
    60
    While My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy was anchored by Kanye's galactic ego, Big Boi often gets lost in the crowd. [Feb 2013, p.102]

See all 32 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 11
  2. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. 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 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.
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  2. Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors takes you to many places
  3. 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 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
  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 but most of these songs are overdone and lost in electronic experimental nonsense. This is far bellow my expectations :( Expand

See all 11 User Reviews