The Observer (UK)'s Scores

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For 462 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 34% higher than the average critic
  • 3% same as the average critic
  • 63% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 8.4 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Music review score: 63
Highest review score:
Big Inner
Critic Score 100
Lowest review score:
Old Sock
Critic Score 20
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 168 out of 462
  2. Mixed: 287 out of 462
  3. Negative: 7 out of 462
462 music reviews
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    • Metascore: 70
    • Critic Score 60
    Black and White
    A grime mixtape veteran, Jermaine Scott combines plenty of chart-friendly tracks on his mainstream debut ("Traktor" and "Unorthodox" have already been hits) with just enough erudite self-examination ("Forgiveness") to warrant more than a passive listen.
    • Metascore: 70
    • Critic Score 60
    Night of Hunters
    Devotees will no doubt swoon (and sceptics scoff) at its florid excesses, but Amos's voice possesses enough conviction and personality to breathe life into what could have been an orchestral folly.
    • Metascore: 83
    • Critic Score 60
    The Whole Love
    It may not rank among Wilco's boldest works. It could have done with more wig-outs. But it captures the art of the almost with both hands.
    • Metascore: 79
    • Critic Score 60
    Conatus
    It's all very accomplished, but lacking in variety.
    • Metascore: 76
    • Critic Score 60
    Ashes & Fire
    It hasn't the shiver factor of his debut but there's pleasure in such smooth, elegantly crafted songs after his recent strainings.
    • Metascore: 67
    • Critic Score 60
    Monkeytown
    This duo's assured, accessible third album builds upon their reputation as omnivorous digital stylists
    • Metascore: 79
    • Critic Score 60
    The Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams
    An entertaining exercise, though of Hank's celebrated yodel there is, alas, no sign.
    • Metascore: 64
    • Critic Score 60
    City of Vultures
    The urgent-sounding "This Day Is Mine" is the pick of their largely impressive full-length debut, the melodic choruses offset by barked vocals and shred guitar. The more restrained "Roads" merely sounds earnestly plodding.
    • Metascore: 76
    • Critic Score 60
    Hurry Up, We're Dreaming
    Never shy of delivering an electro cri de coeur where a simple chord progression will do, Anthony "M83" Gonzalez fully indulges his fondness for the grand gesture on his sixth record.
    • Metascore: 77
    • Critic Score 60
    Days
    s self-titled 2009 debut introduced the band's hazy, Byrds-derived jangle; this second effort reimagines the bucolic pastorales of the 80s indie movement, given a Fleet Foxes skill set.
    • Metascore: 55
    • Critic Score 60
    The Great Escape Artist
    There's nothing here to match the wildly brilliant ambition of their late-80s/early-90s peak, but "Underground" packs a hefty punch, while frenetic closer "Words Right Out of My Mouth" sounds like an ornithophobic Stooges.
    • Metascore: 78
    • Critic Score 60
    Revelation Road
    On the self-produced Revelation Road she's gone minimalist and acoustic, most of its songs documenting the pain of lost love, veering between southern soul ("Even Angels") and MOR country ("The Thief").
    • Metascore: 78
    • Critic Score 60
    Passenger
    Her voice remains the main attraction on this second album but its prettiness often sounds thin against the sort of arrangements that invite the description "plinky-plonky".
    • Metascore: 65
    • Critic Score 60
    Mylo Xyloto
    It's a bit uplifting, but ultimately insipid.
    • Metascore: 71
    • Critic Score 60
    Kinshasa One Two
    The project's brevity certainly explains the lack of coherence over the 14 tracks, although that's not to say there aren't some thrilling individual moments.
    • Metascore: 62
    • Critic Score 60
    Crazy Clown Time
    The skies overhead on his debut album are dark and menacing for the most part: this is music to depopulate dancefloors, not fill them.
    • Metascore: 66
    • Critic Score 60
    Stage Whisper
    Stage Whisper is more of a stop-gap than a fourth album proper... But there are gems among the eight unreleased songs.
    • Metascore: 69
    • Critic Score 60
    Camp
    What follows this auspicious beginning is a riveting album about race, class, opportunity, tribalism, love, the pitfalls of fame, comedy and "seriousness"--one that coexists quite happily with a potty-mouthed pop-rap record about sleeping with girls.
    • Metascore: 85
    • Critic Score 60
    50 Words for Snow
    This album is rather better when it is winking at you, rather than seeking to cryogenically preserve emotion.
    • Metascore: 64
    • Critic Score 60
    Talk That Talk
    The emphasis on loud, clubby production means it lacks the progression of Rated R or the bombast of Loud.
    • Metascore: 62
    • Critic Score 60
    Glowing Mouth
    Quietly dramatic and, at best, lyrical.
    • Metascore: 74
    • Critic Score 60
    Ilo Veyou
    Camille remains a restless, inventive voice, as enchanting as she is silly.
    • Metascore: 51
    • Critic Score 60
    Sticks + Stones
    The X Factor contestant's first album is an exhausting, if lovable mess of cartoon-bright, turbo-charged grime-pop.
    • Metascore: 84
    • Critic Score 60
    El Camino
    In revving so hard, though, the Black Keys have perhaps left behind in the dust the subtleties that made Brothers such an intriguing ride.
    • Metascore: 65
    • Critic Score 60
    Lioness: Hidden Treasures
    Covers make up the backbone of this perfectly enjoyable, but tame release.
    • Metascore: 61
    • Critic Score 60
    Birdy
    [Her cover of Bon Iver's Skinny Love] is easily the high point of her debut album.
    • Metascore: 72
    • Critic Score 60
    Everybody Get Close
    This compilation of Juan tour-only EP tracks, plus remixes and so on may be a stop-gap between Juan albums proper, but it doesn't feel like filler.
    • Metascore: 75
    • Critic Score 60
    Last Day of Summer
    It's even prettier and easier on the synapses than D--also released this year--without sacrificing any of the complexities for which the Texans are renowned.
    • Metascore: 55
    • Critic Score 60
    Purple Naked Ladies
    This sprawling effort could sorely use some tightening up.
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