American Songwriter's Scores

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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: 100 Rockstar
Lowest review score: 20 Dancing Backward in High Heels
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,458 out of 1814
  2. Mixed: 352 out of 1814
  3. Negative: 4 out of 1814
1814 music reviews
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    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The Bootleg Series, Vol. 17: Fragments - Time Out of Mind Sessions 1996-1997
    The Fragments box set offers enough weight and return to justify its weighty price tag. The remastered version of the original album is simply stunning, bringing clarity to the source material that wasn’t as evident before. So too, while repeated versions of certain songs may sometimes seem redundant, they are well in keeping with any Dylan devotee’s desire to peer well below the surface while gathering clues as to the germination of Dylan’s genius.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Anarchist Gospel
    The 14 tracks clocking in at 50 minutes speak to War’s prolific nature, one that encompasses her diversity yet remains focused on vocal, lyrical, and melodic talents that this disc’s enhanced production, and budget, spotlight.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Mercy
    He's no less daring than before. Marked by a series of ominous atmospheric soundscapes, the album finds Cale seemingly beckoning whatever spirits surround him with a dire yet distinctive vocal that casts a spell on the effort overall.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Electrophonic Chronic
    Like the previous set, this is another batch of slightly skewed but affectionately crafted R&B, heavily tinged by mid-’70s affectations with some blues touches. ... Most impressive though is how soulful a vocalist Dan Auerbach is.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Rush!
    With 17 mostly terrific songs (three sung in Italian), only one breaking the four-minute mark, the collection has the jittery intensity of a lion pacing before feeding time. ... Perhaps we could have done without the closing power ballad “The Loneliest,” but that’s the only misstep on an album that should thrust this band into worldwide superstar status.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The Power and the Glory
    Lead track “Mile Marker 29” gets things off to a rousing start courtesy of the song’s riveting refrain. The tangled tapestry of “All Your Friends Are Dying” doesn’t offer the most promising premise, but it’s intriguing nevertheless. Still, when the band slows the tempo and recasts the proceedings with some mellower melodies, the album truly hints at greater glories.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Strays
    Price breaks down any barriers left around her on this record to great appeal. In just 10 songs, she manages to tell a lifetime of stories that are captivating from start to finish.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Every Loser
    Every Loser is commanding, powerful, and above all fun, proving that Pop has plenty of gas left in his aging tank.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    See You in the Stars
    Ultimately then, See You in the Stars is as footloose and fanciful as its handle suggests. When Broudie indulges his instincts, the possibilities can become sky-high.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Jude
    Jude is Lennon’s singular statement, his purposeful pronouncement, his pivotal turn as far as coming into his own with music that bears a grander scope.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Sail On Sailor [Super Deluxe Edition]
    This wasn’t a tremendously fertile period for the group. Yet based on the animated gig and some inspired moments, they still sounded vital, and capable of writing impressive new music, albeit inconsistently and largely without Brian’s input.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Live at the L.A. Forum, April 26, 1969
    All are already available on one of the many existing Hendrix live discs although as usual, the performances are substantially different since Hendrix seldom played anything the same way twice. ... One of the last recordings with the original threesome. Despite reported tensions within the group, they tear it up.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Love Songs for Losers
    It’s a decidedly evocative album, one that ought to give hope and comfort to all those that may feel adrift in uncertainty and sadness while confirming the fact that they’re not alone. In that regard, it provides a shared service to us all.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Sentimental Fool
    his is as organic, honest, and powerful as soul gets. Between Roth’s guidance and Lee Fields’ riveting performance, this is a contemporary/retro-tinged classic, one that any lover of the genre will find timeless and inspirational.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    En Är För Mycket och Tusen Aldrig Nog
    Granted, En Är För Mycket och Tusen Aldrig Nog isn’t the kind of album that aims for accessibility. Nor is it a set of songs that will invite the unsuspecting to simply hum along. However, for those that are up for a more adventurous interlude, it’s nothing less than an intriguing endeavor all around.
    • 100 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Revolver Special Edition (Super Deluxe) [Box Set]
    While not every song is covered, but enough of the creative process is revealed to make this a revelatory encounter.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Direction of the Heart
    Granted, they haven’t hit the heights they climbed courtesy of such early mega milestones as Don’t You (Forget About Me),” “Glittering Prize,” “Somewhere in Summertime,” “Waterfront,” and “Alive and Kicking.” No matter, Kerr, Burchill and their newer recruits still manage to stay true to the band’s overarched intents, but do so based on premise rather than pretense.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Steady
    A dozen effusive offerings that show off both their talent and tenacity. The tones and tempos vary from song to song, but nearly all provide an upbeat delivery that grabs the listener straight out of the gate with nothing less than an instant impression.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Midnights
    The result was a rich listening experience, as Swift flew past the mark she set for herself with ease, daring to look further inward than ever before.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Stumpwork
    To their credit, Dry Cleaning is not compromising their often prickly art. Rather, like the most resolute artists, with the provocative and relentless Stumpwork, they admirably move their boundaries further afield regardless of appealing to a bigger audience.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    I Walked with You a Ways
    The swapping of leads with both voices joining on choruses is wonderfully executed, the songs float and swoop with the nervous anticipation that comes with looking forward to better days and the backing musicians add just enough weight to keep it all grounded.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Dirt Femme
    The album, sees the pop maven realize her own strength and let it take her somewhere new while keeping with her characteristic candor and energy.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Loose Future
    At just over a half hour, the short but compelling set finds a generally chipper—if somewhat guarded—Andrews expanding her musical boundaries and peering cautiously to a brighter, more fulfilling, and looser future ahead.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Like Neptune
    This is soul music of the most raw and affecting type; naked but brimming with more feeling than the majority of today’s stars in the genre whose elaborate productions can’t touch Son Little’s cottage project for purity and emotional clarity.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Rolling Golden Holy
    It’s adventurous and elastic, played and sung with honesty and a sure sense of the mutual lyrical, compositional, and especially vocal abilities of its three talented musicians.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Wilderness of Mirrors
    Few others, let alone from Texas, are creating anything quite like this. While it won’t bring Barrett back, The Black Angels are intent on keeping his art alive for future generations.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The Bible
    The unexpected is to be expected, and in that regard, Wagner and company don’t disappoint. The Bible may not be the last word as far as this band’s creativity is concerned, but as always, Lambchop’s music is worth heeding.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Denim & Diamonds
    It shows Nikki Lane at her best, stepping towards a darker direction while keeping one foot planted in the country and roots music of her past.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Sundays
    Combs describes the disc’s overall tone as that of a black and white film. Add foreign to that description (one song was inspired by an Ingmar Bergman flick) and you’re a few steps closer to this stirring, decidedly non-commercial music that sounds like little else.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Hardest Part
    Overall, the hardest part about listening to Noah Cyrus’ The Hardest Part is turning the album off.
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