American Songwriter's Scores
- Music
For 1,814 reviews, this publication has graded:
-
50% higher than the average critic
-
5% same as the average critic
-
45% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 0.8 points higher than other critics.
(0-100 point scale)
Average Music review score: 74
Highest review score: | Rockstar | |
---|---|---|
Lowest review score: | Dancing Backward in High Heels |
Score distribution:
-
Positive: 1,458 out of 1814
-
Mixed: 352 out of 1814
-
Negative: 4 out of 1814
1814
music
reviews
- By Date
- By Critic Score
-
- Critic Score
After listening to Gray's latest, The Sellout and going back to the music that had shifted through our slush pile unnoticed over the last decade or so, we're pretty stoked to find an artist making solid, soulful music beyond the confines of contemporary culture.- American Songwriter
- Read full review
-
- Critic Score
In these tough times, Thile's words, and the album as a whole, are more effective than the titular tonic at staving off inclement weather, at least of the emotional variety. A strong dose of Antifogmatic goes a long way.- American Songwriter
- Read full review
-
- Critic Score
If you buy Bingo! expecting to hear some burning blues, or to hear another of the Miller hits that may have excited you in the '70s, you'll be disappointed either way- American Songwriter
- Read full review
-
- Critic Score
The songs are rich with relentless, complex instrumentation, the smooth, ethereal voice of Yannis Philippakas, and dubious lyrics about life.- American Songwriter
- Read full review
-
- Critic Score
Grace Potter's voice is the perfect compliment to the band's newly designed dual-guitar blitz.- American Songwriter
- Read full review
-
- Critic Score
From The Black Dirt Sessions we get the sense that being painfully serious is more important than making stylistic progress.- American Songwriter
- Read full review
-
- Critic Score
Science or not, Widespread Panic's eleventh offering shows that after all this time, they've got something figured out.- American Songwriter
- Read full review
-
- Critic Score
The sound is quintessentially opiate--almost sleep-inducing--and upon writing that, it should be clarified as a compliment, kind of like falling asleep to NPR: It gives good information, but the undertones and lush notes can lull you to dreams.- American Songwriter
- Read full review
-
- Critic Score
Here's To Taking It Easy stands as a triumphant proclamation of Phosphorescent's ongoing ability to provide quality heartbreaking Americana.- American Songwriter
- Read full review
-
- Critic Score
This cohesiveness is the very thing that was lacking from previous efforts, and ultimately dulled their impact. Kudos to the Casadys for finally accenting their highly inventive songwriting in a unified manner.- American Songwriter
- Read full review
-
- Critic Score
As much as Broken Social Scene's identity is wrapped up in it's concept as a collective, their most transcendent moments are not their speedy grandiose party anthems but are instead the small soft details like the band setting into a slow almost improvisational groove in "Sweetest Kill" or the hushed vocals of Emily Haines, Leslie Feist and Amy Millan singing in poignant unison on "Sentimental X's."- American Songwriter
- Read full review
-
- Critic Score
Every line seems to come straight from the mouth of that guy right over there, you know, the buddy of your buddy-the one you always wanted to ride around with while he told his stories but never got the chance to. Well, here it is. Are you game?- American Songwriter
- Read full review
-
- Critic Score
Despite the distinct musical talents involved, Together is surprisingly as its name suggests--cohesive.- American Songwriter
- Read full review
-
- Critic Score
It is a monumental album in everything from the scope of its subject matter to its grand instrumentation and production.- American Songwriter
- Read full review
-
- Critic Score
It's a beautifully understated album of personal confessions, wandering thoughts and worldly observations, all rendered with the assurance of a naturally gifted vocalist, one who clearly has no need for auto-tune or other irritating tonal tampering devices.- American Songwriter
- Read full review
-
- Critic Score
His latest album, Country Music, is Willie at his finest, characteristically understated and effortless.- American Songwriter
- Read full review
-
- Critic Score
Having long since cracked the code for the perfect country song, Haggard expertly crafts a fresh batch of tunes that make you want to write one yourself.- American Songwriter
- Read full review
-
- Critic Score
A fierce backing band, Okkervil River lends them drama, tension and a cinematic pomp that underscores the miraculous nature of Erickson's recovery.- American Songwriter
- Read full review
-
- Critic Score
There are no crescendos, no peaks or valleys. It's a straight line all the way through, which, as we all know from watching medical dramas on TV, can only mean one thing--the lack of a pulse.- American Songwriter
- Read full review
-
- Critic Score
All in all, Congratulations pushes MGMT in the right direction. Rather than resting on their deserved laurels, Vanwyngarden and Goldwasser challenge themselves sonically, creating a follow-up that will test even the most astute audience.- American Songwriter
- Read full review
-
- Critic Score
While his vocal style is not for everyone, Matsson is an imaginative songwriter whose songs deserve your attention.- American Songwriter
- Read full review
-
- Critic Score
I Speak Because I Can is composed of mature, sophisticated but relatable songs, performed as only Marling can perform them, showcasing not only a broader vocal range and more intricate guitar parts than on her previous album, but a new breadth of experience, resulting in a balanced album that can sound as enshrouded in shadow as it does enlightened.- American Songwriter
- Read full review
-
- Critic Score
All told, Women and Country is Dylan's most accomplished work to date, and will set the bar for all future endeavors.- American Songwriter
- Read full review
-
- Critic Score
The hitch in the album is the hit-or-miss probability of the listener connecting with the quizzical story, wrought in obscurity.- American Songwriter
- Read full review
-
- Critic Score
Shame, Shame is both a more focused and lyrically mature effort without forgoing any of the band's rambling pop charm.- American Songwriter
- Read full review
-
- Critic Score
The record's songs maintain Oldham's characteristic simplicity and sparseness that hearken back to the now ancient songs of American music's past. All the while, this familiarly fresh set of arrangements gives Oldham's restless phrasings the virgin textures upon which to project cryptic and fearless lyrics.- American Songwriter
- Read full review