West
by Lucinda Williams
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 44 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 44
  3. Negative: 3 out of 44

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  1. DavidD
    Feb 16, 2007
    4
    I really feel that the NY Times review is the only one that nailed it.. There are parts of this album that are cringe-worthy and much that is just OK. To call it her "best", nah.
  2. AloysiusJ
    Feb 15, 2007
    6
    With West, Lucinda Williams has finally lost her edge and joined the likes of Norah Jones as an artist who can help you relate not only to your parents, but your grandparents as well.
  3. MattD.
    Feb 22, 2007
    6
    That heartbreaking voice of hers just sounds disinterested on too much of this CD. Yes, she can still have a way with a lyric, but when she tries to rev things up, it sounds desperate. I am a big Lucinda fan, but this is just generic modern folk, with a couple bluesy moments that are out of place. I'm really not sure what happened here.
  4. JamesJ
    Mar 3, 2007
    5
    I adore this woman's music, have flown 1/2 the way across the country to just to see her. However this album is a major disappointment. There are a couple of keepers, but nothing I'd put on my favorites list, which is quite long. By the way, live in concert she is incredible, a lifetime concert and i've seen Janis Joplin.
  5. KateiR
    Mar 8, 2007
    4
    Disappointing. I realize it's hard to live up to an album like Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, but I can't believe it's even the same artist. Car Wheels had this incredible, raw, honest, real feel to it. West just lacks it.
  6. BiffD
    Apr 18, 2007
    6
    torpid
  7. DaleM
    May 1, 2007
    5
    The music on this album is slow and monotonous. Lucinda's voice is as beautiful as ever but she seems to not even be trying. The album lacks the passion of her previous albums.
  8. scotts
    Feb 19, 2007
    5
    I, like many, am her number one fan. But even I have to admit that this is her weakest effort to date. Vocally: not as interesting. Musically: much less so. And too many themes are redundant from past, and better, albums. Normally, Lucinda's lyrics and delivery can overcome weak production. Not this time. Blame Lucinda, and especially producer Hal Willner, for a mediocre outing.
  9. ChrisR
    Apr 13, 2007
    5
    Why does everyone keep bringing up Car Wheels? She's many albums past that now, so it's not "following" it. She's a different person now obviously. After giving West many listens, here are some good songs on this album. But all the songs sound like they were made on the spot. Most of them wouldn't even sound good if they actually were improv. With Hal Willner Why does everyone keep bringing up Car Wheels? She's many albums past that now, so it's not "following" it. She's a different person now obviously. After giving West many listens, here are some good songs on this album. But all the songs sound like they were made on the spot. Most of them wouldn't even sound good if they actually were improv. With Hal Willner co-producing on this, it could have been a home run, but I don't think she made it past first base. I'm giving this a 5 because i love her and because i know how hard the creative process can be sometime.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

70
#70 Most Discussed Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 28
  3. Negative: 3 out of 28
  1. Amazon.com
    90
    West may well be her best album. It is easily her most musically adventurous, and often her most lyrically inspired.
    Read full review
  2. Observer Music Monthly
    70
    Often harrowing, although Williams's emotional odyssey finds resolution on the title track.
    Read full review
  3. Spin
    70
    Let those [few sub-par] parts slide into the ocean and enjoy the remaining hour of perfectly golden brilliance. [Feb 2007, p.89]
See all critic reviews »