When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold
by Atmosphere
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 52 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 48 out of 52
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 52
  3. Negative: 1 out of 52

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  1. FredirkL.
    Jun 20, 2008
    10
    Really great album, Atmosphere's best so far! Love their underground music and this album is even better than the previous ones, such as Seven's Travels. Seriously love this!
  2. AaronC.
    May 3, 2008
    10
    The Village Voice and PopMatters reviews are two of the least informed and critically coherent reviews I've ever come across. I'd actually give this album more of an 8.5 - The 10 is merely just to counter-balance those two reviewers incompetence. If you're getting PAID to write a review, it is your JOB to read up on what it is you're listening to... otherwise The Village Voice and PopMatters reviews are two of the least informed and critically coherent reviews I've ever come across. I'd actually give this album more of an 8.5 - The 10 is merely just to counter-balance those two reviewers incompetence. If you're getting PAID to write a review, it is your JOB to read up on what it is you're listening to... otherwise you're just wasting everyone else's time and print space.… Expand
  3. JosephB.
    May 7, 2008
    10
    This won't go down as my favorite Atmosphere album of all-time, but like Aaron C before me, I feel compelled to give this a 10 due to the awful reviews by TVV and PM. I find it pretty hilarious that a website (popmatters) published a review bashing this album while giving Lil Wayne an 8 out of 10 while supporting the notion that he is the greatest rapper alive. And Popmatters, a 7 This won't go down as my favorite Atmosphere album of all-time, but like Aaron C before me, I feel compelled to give this a 10 due to the awful reviews by TVV and PM. I find it pretty hilarious that a website (popmatters) published a review bashing this album while giving Lil Wayne an 8 out of 10 while supporting the notion that he is the greatest rapper alive. And Popmatters, a 7 out of 10 for Curtis? Are you kidding me? But I guess thats what I should expect from a website of that name, pop music is what you want and pop music is what you like.… Expand
  4. InsaneSadcl0wnKr3w
    Jun 16, 2008
    10
    This ia a really good album. Chris Gaerig at Popmatters is not very smart! He said he rhymed baby with baby? Besides reading the lyrics you can just hear that he says lady! I mean this probbly listens to 5ocent or something!!
  5. ChristopherV.
    Jun 9, 2008
    9
    I don't even like hip hop and I enjoyed this album 100%.
  6. JohnnyG.
    Apr 30, 2008
    9
    Not God Loves Ugly but who cares? Easily better than most rap out there these days.
  7. BryanB.
    May 3, 2008
    10
    Not to belittle the last three albums, because they were necessary as predecessors, but this is @'s best album since Lucy Ford.
  8. MatthewD
    May 9, 2008
    7
    Atomosphere's most cohesive and mainstream album to date. Will be overshadowed by other summer releases such as The Roots, Rising Down.
  9. DavidS.
    Jun 24, 2008
    9
    This album moved me. It's very mature and deep, very touching. I havn't enjoyed an album as much as this in a long time.
  10. StevenS.
    Jul 1, 2008
    10
    This album is like weed for your ears, it feels sooooooooo good. Atmosphere is one of the premiere rap groups/duos in the game today, and this album just solidifies that fact.
  11. AndrewC.
    Jul 13, 2008
    10
    A change of pace that yields an album for a more mellow listening mood, When Life... is a real piece of work. Whether it is the new Atmosphere or just the current version, the verse is legit and the music wraps it all up in a smooth bundle.
  12. AndrewD.
    Apr 28, 2008
    9
    It's an amazing album, proving that Atmosphere is here to stay for a long time and that they will only get better.
  13. IanM.
    Apr 29, 2008
    9
    Great album and a definite evolution from previous efforts by Atmosphere. Although I love much of the work they have put out, this is definitely their most mature album to date. Ant has abandoned many of the funk samples from previous records and has concentrated on live instruments and low-key beats. Some of the tracks abandon the beats completely in favor of acapella raps over a piano Great album and a definite evolution from previous efforts by Atmosphere. Although I love much of the work they have put out, this is definitely their most mature album to date. Ant has abandoned many of the funk samples from previous records and has concentrated on live instruments and low-key beats. Some of the tracks abandon the beats completely in favor of acapella raps over a piano or guitar lick. This is not a party record like 'strictly leakage' and that is reflected in Slug's raps. He focusses less on the women troubles that have dominated previous albums and covers a range of topics including his deceased father (Yesterday), alcoholism (Your Glasshouse) and a concept song in which Slug personifies a cigarette and talks about it as if it is a pimp (The Skinny) (!). All in all, a rewarding album both musically and lyrically.… Expand
  14. LCD
    May 1, 2008
    9
    This a really good atmosphere album. I feel bad that it got such a low score. The guy from Pop Matters has a really funny review. He criticizes Slug for rhyming baby with baby, when he's saying lady. The lyrics are in the book that comes with the cd. You'd think a critic might check something like that before publishing an article thats so judgemental. Anyways, don't be This a really good atmosphere album. I feel bad that it got such a low score. The guy from Pop Matters has a really funny review. He criticizes Slug for rhyming baby with baby, when he's saying lady. The lyrics are in the book that comes with the cd. You'd think a critic might check something like that before publishing an article thats so judgemental. Anyways, don't be discouraged by the low score. If you like Atmosphere, you'll love this album.… Expand
  15. JodeG.
    May 15, 2008
    8
    The critics must be smoking crack! The first time I listened to this album I wasn't sure what to think. After the 3rd time I was hooked! This has some classic tracks. I think haters are pissed that Atmosphere is now getting somewhat big and think that they are selling out. People gotta eat!
  16. VladM.
    May 28, 2008
    8
    I think it's a good album...not the best but clearly not the worst.
  17. ffflk.
    May 4, 2008
    10
    Alright, not a 10 but this is above a 9. Critics are afraid to like atmosphere after hating for so long - this is a lot better than everything since Overcast (which I'm too biased to judge properly).
  18. KeithT.
    Jun 22, 2008
    9
    Definitely a must buy for smooth beats and story telling fans.
  19. RaymondB.
    Jun 22, 2008
    10
    I'm impressed with this new album, while not exactly upbeat, it still has a lot of groove in the rhythm and sweetness in the melodies. Slug's lyrics are as always unique to his style, and fresh and insightful. I feel that this album seems to show a matured style of music that can permeate a much larger demographic than the cookie cutter club rap will ever.
  20. TimW001
    Jan 8, 2016
    9
    This is a classic from Atmosphere. Every song works so well. Great beats put together. Deep and meaningful lyrics. Great hooks on nearly every track. These are songs that tell a story. This album is a must listen.

Awards & Rankings

78
#78 Most Discussed Album of 2008
100
#100 Most Shared Album of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 3 out of 15
  1. Alternative Press
    80
    The cumulative effect is a widescreen collection that seems destined to win a broader audience for the duo without sacrificing the intimate I-feel-you-fucked-up-life atmosphere of their best work. [May 2008, p.144]
  2. Spin
    60
    Add some beatboxing courtesy of Tom Waits (!), and you have an occasionally forced, yet boldly magnetic change of pace. [May 2008, p.94]
    Read full review
  3. The New York Times
    80
    The words are upfront, with a naturalistic delivery that sometimes recalls Kanye West. These are storytelling songs, not club tracks, moving at midtempos and often easing back toward ballads.
    Read full review
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