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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    • 76 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    High Flyin'
    High Flyin’ offers an interesting insight into one of Young’s many outside ventures and a good representation of a brief chapter in his ever-changing trajectory that hasn’t been shared to any great extent before. On the other hand, it doesn’t represent any dramatic change in his template, as the replay of his aforementioned classics confirms so convincingly.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Road
    He’s not reinventing any wheels, but Road is an enjoyable, even impressive, release from an aging rock star who still, to trade on the album’s theme, has plenty of gas left in his tank.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Continue as a Guest
    Ultimately, The New Pornographers specialize in creating a most satisfying sound—the effusive rush of “Bottle Episodes” and “Angelcover,” being two of the more obvious examples—while also making music that begs repeat listens in order to fully grasp the magnitude of their overarched intents.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Low Country Blues
    In the end, though, the spirit is most definitely still there, and any Allman Brothers fan or blues fan needs this album. It's an event as much as a recording and a good representation of the artists that made Allman want to be a musician in the first place.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Something in the Water
    While doubters might see this as a quirky, flash in the pan, Tiny Tim styled anomaly, there is no denying the goofy delight and enthusiasm that jumps out of the speakers on every track of this immensely enjoyable, if decidedly unconventional, album.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Watch the Throne
    Watch the Throne is one of the more interesting, envelope-pushing mainstream rap albums in recent memory.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Live at the Royal Albert Hall
    The CD chops out the voluminous chatter, which is one of the strengths of the 1 3/4 hour DVD, but works just fine for on-the-go playback of a dynamic concert.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Amused to Death [Reissue]
    By any measure, this is an engaging, complex, lyrically confrontational and intellectually intense 80 minutes.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Thousand Mile Night
    The mix of upbeat folk-rockers with moodier fare makes this such an impressive and convincing album.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    50 Year Trip: Live at Red Rocks
    After half a century, it’s clear that he still retains an eternal energy and enthusiasm. It’s little wonder then that this 50 Year Trip proves such an exhilarating journey at every stop along the way.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Ruminations
    And so it goes for nearly 40 minutes. Clearly, this is not easy listening, but neither is it impenetrable either. Rather, Oberst’s naked presentation and generally obtuse concepts feel genuine and are worth mulling over for a deeper understanding of his expressive and largely enticing thoughts.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Live at Billy Bob's Texas
    This CD/DVD combo, recorded in September 2011, shows the 73-year-old Shaver still has plenty of gas left in his tank.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Wonderful, Glorious
    They ditch most of the quirks for grimy blues on Wonderful, Glorious, making it one of their best albums in years.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The Union
    The Union brings up two very good points again and again: No amount of celebrity shenanigans or animated transgressions can eclipse the fact that Elton John is an absolutely amazing musician and there's a never-ending list of reasons why Leon Russell is your favorite musician's favorite musician.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Local Valley
    Ultimately, Local Valley becomes a place where melody and mystique are woven well in tandem and relentless reflection gives way to a sense of clarity and comfort. Be assured the depth of devotion is never in doubt.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Story of Sonny Boy Slim
    It’s still early to throw accolades like “visionary” around but aspects of Clark’s music encourage that reaction. “This music sets me free,” he continues on “Healing,” and it’s likely to have the same effect on you.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Amok
    Amok isn’t an album to be analyzed so much as experienced, preferably with headphones maximizing its occasionally mesmeric effect.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Sun Midnight Sun
    Sun Midnight Sun, which deftly combines all these forces--bluegrass, folk, indie rock, pop, country--into something that sounds smooth and comfortable in its identity, where others might just sound jumbled.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Parker Millsap
    Millsap’s subtle style allows the listener to discover the emotional vortex of his often confused characters, helping us identify with their motives without casting judgment.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A Cure for Loneliness
    With any luck, he’ll have plenty more gas in his tank to release albums as rugged, diverse and memorable as this in the foreseeable future.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    My Way
    There aren’t many surprises on My Way, but that’s unimportant. Nelson’s in terrific voice, he clearly loves the material and delivers each of the 11 tracks with beautifully nuanced authenticity.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Blood Pressures
    It's been a cold three years since 2008's garage-synthy third album Midnight Bloom, but their new effort Blood Pressures is more than worth the wait.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 30 Critic Score
    Elsie
    Elsie sounds like a step down from his Gaslight Anthem fare, lacking the emotional and regional details that make that band's songs sound so lived in.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Everyday Robots
    The album unravels its charms slowly and deliberately and after it’s over you’ll be beckoned back to soak in more of its sublime, beguiling mystique.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Heaven Is Whenever
    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?
    • 75 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Ceremonials
    What's offered on Ceremonials is solid, even a cut or two above solid. But it doesn't move the band forward.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Be the Void
    For the most part, it works. But "Warrior Man," a jumbled idea that could've been a great song, is the sort of cautionary tale that keeps this album from matching Shame, Shame's standards.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    My Morning Jacket
    There are enough twists to keep even longtime fans on their toes. It’s what makes them so consistently intriguing and will hopefully keep the members inspired, and inspirational, for the foreseeable future.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Traveling Kind
    It’s when you start listening a bit closer that the nuance of the writing, the subtlety of the arrangements, and the magical interplay of the two voices, in harmonies alternately high-spirited and heartbreaking, start to break you down and leave an indelible impression.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    So You Wannabe an Outlaw
    Albums like this one continue to burnish a musical legacy that is every bit as imposing as the ones to which Earle pays homage in these songs.
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