American Utopia
by David Byrne
  • Record Label: Nonesuch
  • Release Date: Mar 9, 2018
User Score
6.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 35 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 35
  3. Negative: 7 out of 35
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  1. JaneMetascore
    Dec 18, 2019
    2
    David Byrne is a fake for phony political correctness. He's blind to justice. His injustices belong in the trash. There is nothing here to listen to, or to like. for listening to music.
  2. stgrunu
    Mar 18, 2018
    5
    It definitely felt like I forgot I was listening to an album for a few minutes. It's a decent album and some of the instrumentals have fantastic breakdowns.
    Everybody's Coming to my House is great when he sings on his range.
  3. HannahK
    Mar 13, 2018
    3
    American Utopia is a massively disappointing offering from Byrne. It feels lazy and formulaic and worse still, just plain dull. One for completists only.
  4. allisonjane65
    Mar 11, 2018
    2
    I'm a big fan of Talking Heads and to a lesser extent David Byrne, though I've enjoyed much of his solo work. American Utopia has to be a career nadir in my opinion. A collection of dreary, forced and forgettable songs for the most part.
  5. JeffWard
    Mar 10, 2018
    0
    David Byrne ought to be embarrassed by this album. I've been a fan for years, but perhaps it's time for him to retire.
  6. citycentre
    Mar 13, 2018
    8
    Great album, definitely a grower. "Everyday is a Miracle" is really missing something however - it just has no flow to it. There's also a few vocal moments that are just a bit more grating than they needed to be so it's an 8 from me...
  7. grapesnacks
    Oct 27, 2020
    0
    American Utopia is a boring, pretentious vanity project. I like David Bryne, but I found this mediocre album, and the smug, sanctimonious video unwatchable.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. Austin Chronicle
    Oct 5, 2018
    78
    While not expressly political, American Utopia can't help playing as a reaction piece.
    Read full review
  2. The Wire
    Jul 12, 2018
    80
    This is Byrne at his best, as he calmly describes the impact of the object upon the victim’s history, feelings and anatomy that are being destroyed as a result of its violent intrusion. [May 2018, p.60]
  3. Mixmag
    Jul 6, 2018
    70
    Occasionally it's awkward, but for the most part it shows there's still plenty of life in the old Head yet. [Apr 2018, p.91]
See all critic reviews »