Okayplayer's Scores

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For 148 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 96% higher than the average critic
  • 1% same as the average critic
  • 3% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 12.1 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Music review score: 85
Highest review score: 98 My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Lowest review score: 50 Beaus$eros
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 146 out of 148
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 148
  3. Negative: 0 out of 148
148 music reviews
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    • 73 Metascore
    • 87 Critic Score
    The Family Sign
    There are some tracks on this record I don't appreciate much now as a college student in my early 20s, but I can guarantee as I get older and more mature, I will find this album more relatable and more enjoyable.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 93 Critic Score
    BlackenedWhite
    BlackenedWhite is a refreshingly original album where it counts and it never gets under your skin the way Tyler's albums can.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 87 Critic Score
    De La Soul's Plug 1 & Plug 2 Present...First Serve
    The whole of First Serve is greater than the sum of its parts, and the album's crisp pace, infectious energy and playful humor make it an easy listen and a simple pleasure
    • 72 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Home Again
    Kiwanuka crafts an opus so insular that it feels like a one-on-one conversation between he and you.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Goblin
    Ultimately, listening to Goblin feels a lot like reading a creative writing assignment by the kid in the army boots and trench coat who sits in the corner. There are moments of clarity that show a unique talent, if only he weren't trying quite so hard to be unique.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    God of the Serengeti
    This album is a violent frenzy maxed out to the “nth” power, so it may not be for everyone; however, most who embrace hardcore hip-hop will undoubtedly love this album.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors
    Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors has a much more electronic feel to it, with a plethora of synthesizers. The brassy street thump of past Big Boi releases is still present, it's just more centralized.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Something Big
    Something Big, does not have many musical surprises and may not bring aboard any new Mary Mary fans, but it will most definitely bring listening pleasure to the faithful Mary Mary fans.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Dennis Coffey
    Overall, the album displays an artist in total command of his style and vision, which only makes sense considering how long and accomplished Dennis Coffey's career has been.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Haven
    The album certainly works as ambient background noise, but it completely falls apart under close scrutiny.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 81 Critic Score
    Culture Shock
    Crafty lyricism exemplifies this release by the guys from Portland, with the infectious zeal for hip-hop that's as instantly apparent and possessive of endurance as true as that of another famous Oregonian, runner Steve Prefontaine.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    The Next Logical Progression
    NLP is yet another crowning achievement in his long career.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Headcage [EP]
    While this EP is a rather nice progression for Dear, and truly shows the diversity of his music, it also will give listeners something to wait for when his project comes out.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Angles
    A band exploring a new sound is great, but that's what demos and the studio are for. Some of what The Strokes seem to be aiming for with Angles unfortunately isn't realized.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Born This Way
    Yet, for all of GaGa's flamboyance, there was a humanity in her most memorable work that inspired a devotion in her legions of fans that went far beyond vigorous dance floor workouts. On Born This Way the quirky vulnerability is often lost behind the massive productions.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 87 Critic Score
    Gutter Rainbows
    Gutter Rainbows may not be promoted heavily due to its independent release, but it should be rotated heavily in our MP3's, it's a definite win for the listener/consumer.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 68 Critic Score
    Rocket Juice & the Moon
    This album doesn't suck... it's just boring.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 72 Critic Score
    The OF Tape, Vol. 2
    Here the stylistic plurality advances beyond likable ADHD-antics to the point where it no longer leaves the listening value unscathed.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Fragrant World
    It's not a bad album, it's actually pretty good. Just not their best.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Together/Apart
    Overall Together/Apart is a very good record, and a few minor missteps from being a great one.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 91 Critic Score
    Soul is Heavy
    For listeners ready to let go of expectations and embark on a musical ride, the journey will be well worth it.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Archipelago
    As the album unfolds you're drawn inexorably into a world of high quality music that deserves to be savoured, devoured, replayed and pored over, and above all, enjoyed.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 92 Critic Score
    Anything In Return
    Make no mistake about it, most of the instrumentation on the album is just Toro y Moi. More so ‘Moi’.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 86 Critic Score
    Fear of God II: Let Us Pray [EP]
    The LP's best moments are when Pusha digs deeper.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Camp
    Camp is powered by the same blend of quirk, wit and vulnerability that drives Glover's comedic endeavors.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 81 Critic Score
    Little Broken Hearts
    Between the obvious hits and the Halcion fuzz however lays an interesting sound.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    The Abandoned Lullaby
    It does feel like the melding Icebird does of electronic elements with blues, soul, and rock is a progressive move.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 73 Critic Score
    Man on the Moon, Vol. 2: The Legend of Mr. Rager
    In music, the best artists bare their souls and shed light into unknown realities. With Cudi, however, the wounds might still be too deep, since he bemoans his way through the impressive soundtrack and lacks the essence needed to make this project resonate.Life has its ups and downs, but there's no need to implode.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Attractive Sin
    Ultimately, the collection plays like exactly what it is: a fun side project that re-affirms the core values of vintage hip-hop at a time when the genre too often seems to value everything but vintage fun.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Finally Famous
    Finally Famous boasts enough bouncy beats and catchy hooks that he should have no problem landing a follow up on the charts. Still, the album falls short of establishing him as an artist of a magnitude to match his name.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 72 Critic Score
    Love & Danger
    Love & Danger fits the mold per Keith's willingness to unleash a tweaked stream-of-consciousness upon his listeners, but his flow isn't nearly as succinct as on records past.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 81 Critic Score
    End It All
    While casual listeners may be left scratching their heads a time too often for their liking, connoisseurs of pure MCing will find plenty to admire in Beans' craftsmanship, and long time fans of the Consortium will likely add this project to their collections with no regrets.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Monkeytown
    Monkeytown is a must for fans of techno, electro, and/or pop.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Rise Again
    Despite talk of the non-living, one can say more resolutely that The Upsetter is back at it, town crying and rousing the most lively music lovers among us while keeping great reggae alive.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Fall
    Packaged together here, The Fall does not feel like a proper Gorillaz album, but more like a musical scrapbook of the tour. Fortunately for us, even Damon's scraps are worthy of a casual listen.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 84 Critic Score
    Breakfast
    Overall Breakfast effectively blends alternative and hip-hop elements into an eclectic montage of fresh lyricism and bursting musical backdrops.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 87 Critic Score
    One Lovely Day
    Cope makes up for his mediocre (to some) but unique voice with strong, thoughtful songwriting.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Beaus$eros
    Beaus$Eros seems to re-hash the sonic aesthetic of Busdriver's earlier releases, but this time with less impressive beats, weak vocals, and little to no live instrumentation.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Nothing
    While Nothing isn't N*E*R*D*'s strongest effort, it does offer an interesting take on pop music.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 81 Critic Score
    Game Tested Streets Approved
    There is no visible rust on Game Tested, Streets Approved, Rob's first album in six years.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    Selling My Soul
    It's an indulgent side project and the monotony of the production is enough that the 'McKayla is Not Impressed' face may be unavoidable.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 84 Critic Score
    DJ-Kicks
    It's functional, escapist, I-hate-my-job-and-live-for-my-weekends, music.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 73 Critic Score
    Timez Are Weird These Days
    Unlike the legends of BK past, London doesn't riff on drugs and housing projects, which in and of itself earns him a fair shot. He may be redefining what it means to be a rapper in the 21st century, but it wouldn't hurt if he practiced more rules of the game before changing it.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Everything Is Boring & Everyone Is a F--king Liar
    You gave it a listen, and it sounded like a good time. But deep down you know you didn't actually have one.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Rolling Papers
    In the end, the high points here are more than compelling enough to warrant repeated spins, and the weak spots are simply forgettable, not unlistenable.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Endlessly
    While not explicitly a concept or homage album, Endlessly captures a retro American sound reminiscent of sock hops and drive-ins so subtly, that the album could have been called Effortlessly.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Occasion
    Overall, Occasion boasts a myriad of sounds and heads may gravitate more toward certain lanes than others but, with nary a weak track, Kidz In The Hall keep it game tight and deliver a dope-ass record.
    • 53 Metascore
    • 55 Critic Score
    Q: Soul Bossa Nostra
    The sad thing is that if this concept had been presented as a one-off concert, it could have been amazing; a fitting tribute from the brightest stars of the 21st century to the man who taught them everything they know. But on record, it simply fails to take off. Quite frankly Quincy Jones, and his legacy, deserve better.
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