AllMusic's Scores

  • Music
For 17,183 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 64% higher than the average critic
  • 5% same as the average critic
  • 31% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 1.4 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Music review score: 74
Highest review score: 100 The Marshall Mathers LP
Lowest review score: 20 Graffiti
Score distribution:
17183 music reviews
    • 60 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Performed with a full backing band, which includes guitarist Dan Sullivan from Nad Navillus, Songs: Ohia stretches out on Fantasma, allowing Molina's songs to breathe but never sounding gratuitous, like a slightly subdued Crazy Horse.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Hearing Miller's unmistakable singing and songwriting style without Murry Hammond's backing vocals and the rest of the 97's chunky country-rock-pop behind him seems a little less than it could be.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Grand Mal isn't going for anything bombastic with Bad Timing, but it's a good dose, a healthy spoonful of new millennium indie rock.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    [Kyle] Fischer is normally a quite capable guitarist whose antics and energy have been noticed for some time by fans at live shows. However, it seems here that his guitar work is merely meant to tread water, biding time for some big explosion that never seems to come.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    All the restless energy adds up to a few too many diversions.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Volume Two is certainly more cohesive than Volume One, but that doesn't make it the stronger album.... The pop/rock songs here are simply lacking great hooks, though they are quite endearing. While Volume Two is a strong album, Volume One had more ragged, unfocused joys.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    They've managed to ignore their ill fortune and suffer through the hecklers, and have -- in the best possible way -- given listeners a 54-minute soundtrack for the paper bag scene in American Beauty.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    It's a sassy section of sultry soul and urban vibratos, yet a snarling demeanor asking for a little respect also peeks through the dozen-song set list.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Stirring, unpretentious yet powerful, Halos & Horns effectively continues Parton's glorifying of her mountain roots.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Throughout this collection, Rye Coalition shamlessly worships at the altar of Kiss, Grand Funk Railroad, and Spinal Tap via weathered, punk-inspired chord progressions, muddy bass lines, lead-footed drum patterns, and hammer-handed guitar riffs that will shake, rattle, and roll hockey arenas until the end of time.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    While the moody "Report on an Investigation" does reveal a bit more emotional depth than much of Minekawa's work, Maxi On! doesn't offer much in the way of surprises; however, it also offers few disappointments.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The expansive sonic palette of Pelo bears little resemblance to conventional pop sensibilities of any stripe, instead most closely recalling German electro-alchemists Mouse on Mars. Even more remarkable is that the album's innovations don't come at the expense of the Navins' vaunted melodicism?
    • 80 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Like his two previous studio albums, Solitary Man is sparsely produced by Rick Rubin, and continues the themes of love, faith, and loneliness that their previous collaborations have chillingly embraced.
    • 57 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Classic embryonic vocalic beauty from Geike Arnaert still carries the translucence of the band's signature ethereality, and shines as hard as she did on the band's previous releases. However, musical composition on songs such as "Pink Fluffy Dinosaurs" and "Frosted Flake Wood" are more intricate and sonically defined.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Though his solo tracks are fine compositions, its when Gerald mixes the dark drum'n'bass beats with sultry elements and star female vocals, does his production come alive and the album become worthwhile.
    • 51 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    She bridges powdery lyrics and floating acoustics throughout the nine-track album, singing from an inner spirituality.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Though it's starkly rhythmic where Cornershop songs like "Brimful of Asha" are lush and trippy, Singh's appealing vocals and the duo's accessible songwriting provide the link between their two projects.... however, too many of these good ideas drag on for too long without progressing.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    She sounds lonely and afraid in songs like "Jealous" and "Dancing Lessons," yet her fierce confidence overpowers such insecurity on the pinch-hitting "No Man's Woman."
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Anna is nothing revolutionary, of course, and that dog. fans have certainly heard this before. But that same audience will most likely want to hear it again, as will anyone who believes female rockers don't need to choose between being a folky riot grrrl (Ani DiFranco, Dar Williams) or a mainstream maven (Meredith Brooks, Sheryl Crow).
    • 54 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    James' musical prowess on the anthemic "Born of Frustration" and 11-minute sonic storm of "Sound" are great representations of what made them a brilliant pop band in the first place.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    It's sporadically entertaining and intermittently interesting.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Hello, the group's second issue for Alternative Tentacles, highlights the rock side of this noise rock ensemble more than any of their previous albums.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    This may not be their best offering, but it's a truly fine record that offers plenty in the way of satisfaction.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Many of the songs have a similar feel and lack distinctive melodies to keep them from blending together.
    • 58 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Unfortunately, Oakenfold isn't much of a pioneer any more, and though it's clear his ear for a solid production hasn't deserted him, Bunkka sees him following the trends instead of pushing them.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Stephin Merritt's the 6th's second album isn't nearly as dynamic as his Magnetic Fields' 69 Love Songs, nor is it quite as good as the first 6th's album, Wasps' Nests. It is, however, another crowning achievement for Merritt.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    One of Lisa Germano's most accessible works yet.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    A hit-and-miss affair.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    What seems less successful are the English language efforts.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Freeway delivers a strong album that should lay to rest the speculation that his unique vocal style -- alternating between a scratchy crack and an anything-but-gruff shout, filtered through a consistently high pitch -- would have difficulty remaining tolerable across a full album.