Country Weekly's Scores
- Music
For 158 reviews, this publication has graded:
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75% higher than the average critic
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1% same as the average critic
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24% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 6.7 points higher than other critics.
(0-100 point scale)
Average Music review score: 80
Highest review score: | Upland Stories | |
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Lowest review score: | Spring Break... Checkin' Out |
Score distribution:
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Positive: 132 out of 158
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Mixed: 26 out of 158
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Negative: 0 out of 158
158
music
reviews
- By Date
- By Critic Score
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- Critic Score
Taylor wrote or co-wrote everything here herself (including the hit “Tim McGraw”), and while the most immediately striking songs are her eviscerations of no-good teenage boys (“Should’ve Said No,” “Picture to Burn”), the more thoughtful material suggests a talent poised to last well past high school.- Country Weekly
- Posted Oct 11, 2021
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Not everything works, however. ... Overall, though, this is the Hank Jr. we’ve been waiting to hear for years, and it’s a welcome return.- Country Weekly
- Posted Apr 28, 2016
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- Critic Score
This is a masterful album, replete with wonderful stories and fully drawn characters.- Country Weekly
- Posted Mar 30, 2016
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- Critic Score
The charm of these tracks, though, is in their now-less-common unselfconsciousness (with its close kin, indulgence, lurking nearby) and the largely likable blemishes reminding us that music, above all, should sound human. For better and occasionally worse, this music unquestionably does.- Country Weekly
- Posted Mar 17, 2016
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- Critic Score
Full Circle stands as a wonderful and welcome piece of work, 14 solid songs that shift easily from Appalachian mountain soul to pure country and even spiritual fare. Plus, Loretta has simply never sounded better.- Country Weekly
- Posted Mar 9, 2016
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In every aspect, from production to instrumentation and Wynonna’s sensational performances, this ranks as her absolute best solo effort.- Country Weekly
- Posted Mar 1, 2016
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While he’s done nearly a dozen yesteryear-based solo albums, this one is distinguished by its smartly chosen representation of the Gershwins’ musical breadth and the handpicked, multi-stylistic band (with Mickey Raphael’s winsome yet penetrating harmonica again providing a crucial link to Willie’s larger body of work) fittingly snazzing up the affair while making the most of Willie’s no-dress-code musical fusion.- Country Weekly
- Posted Feb 23, 2016
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Down to My Last Bad Habit is simply Vince having loose-limbed fun with his cohorts, resulting in one of the most enjoyable listening experiences you’ll be privy to all year. You’ll want to play it over and over.- Country Weekly
- Posted Feb 11, 2016
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With a range of topics that cover bullying (“Kill a Word”) and women running afoul of the law (“Chattanooga Lucy”), there’s plenty to indulge in without coming away bored or feeling like you’ve heard it all before.- Country Weekly
- Posted Nov 20, 2015
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Carrie’s never been in better voice, but a little more control in the production would have served her well.- Country Weekly
- Posted Nov 18, 2015
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The production team of Tim and Byron Gallimore have struck country music pay dirt with this incredible collection that balances contemporary and traditional styles with amazing subtlety, all without making Tim sound as if he’s trying to keep up with the younger stars--indeed, with Damn Country Music, he’s in the passing lane.- Country Weekly
- Posted Nov 13, 2015
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The result feels a little something like those beloved ‘80s movies in spirit and aesthetic.- Country Weekly
- Posted Aug 21, 2015
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- Critic Score
Kill the Lights isn’t consistently pleasing, but it does represent a progression and evolution from Luke’s previous material.- Country Weekly
- Posted Aug 14, 2015
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The Blade further serves to position her as one of the premiere and rare female neo-traditionalists in the format.- Country Weekly
- Posted Jul 20, 2015
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It may not be all pretty, but Something More Than Free is as real as it gets.- Country Weekly
- Posted Jul 14, 2015
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Kacey adroitly communicates who she is through her music, maturing in her artistry while staying true to herself. Pageant Material deserves to win some sort of title--and it just might.- Country Weekly
- Posted Jun 26, 2015
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Their fourth album, The Muscle Shoals Recordings, is an outstanding 11-song offering that lives up to the lofty expectations of its namesake.- Country Weekly
- Posted Jun 17, 2015
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- Critic Score
With this, his fourth country album, Darius and his team have most definitely solidified his sound with expertly layered, but not overdone, musical arrangements that add some dimension to his already warmly textured vocals.- Country Weekly
- Posted May 19, 2015
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- Critic Score
The tunes are infused with banjos, B3s and other instruments without sounding cluttered. It’s nicely done, but you would hope for better material.- Country Weekly
- Posted Mar 20, 2015
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- Critic Score
Much of the rest of the album features ho-hum mid-tempos and ballads that don’t move the meter much in either direction.- Country Weekly
- Posted Oct 30, 2014
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It’s the incredible balance of Lady Antebellum’s many shades that makes this a flight worth catching.- Country Weekly
- Posted Oct 30, 2014
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This is a nicely balanced album that you could listen to repeatedly and still discover fresh, exciting touches with each new listen.- Country Weekly
- Posted Oct 30, 2014
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A collection that plays into the group’s rock sensibilities without any loss of identity.- Country Weekly
- Posted Oct 27, 2014
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There’s a common theme of relationships among many of the songs, with the ballads “Lonely Tonight” and “Anyone Else” coming away as the strongest of the bunch.- Country Weekly
- Posted Oct 21, 2014
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Although the title is also an album track referring to hair color, the depth of this project goes further than Miranda’s roots.- Country Weekly
- Posted Jun 11, 2014
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Hunter Hayes has once again produced a collection of music that belies his tender age, not only in content, but in vocal confidence.- Country Weekly
- Posted May 22, 2014
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On Blue Smoke, the country legend travels many different paths and sounds only like herself.- Country Weekly
- Posted May 19, 2014
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Like most projects released by Americana singer/songwriter or heritage acts, Tarpaper Sky is best enjoyed like a book, in its entirety as opposed to a chapter here and there.- Country Weekly
- Posted Apr 16, 2014
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At times the slower tempos make the album feel longer than it actually is, but it’s never dull.- Country Weekly
- Posted Apr 9, 2014
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Overall the recording sounds great—warm and intimate without sacrificing polish.- Country Weekly
- Posted Apr 8, 2014
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