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At The End Of Paths Taken Image
Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 4 Ratings

  • Summary: The veteran Canadian band led by songwriter Michael Timmins and singer Margo Timmins return with an 11-track disc of originals.

Top Track

It Doesn't Really Matter Anyway
It doesn't really matter anyway It doesn't really matter anyway Singer brought her to tears But they were my words not hers What I said or didn't... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 10
  2. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. Paste Magazine
    70
    Good songs make for good Cowboy Junkies albums, and the ratio here tilts in their favor. [May 2007, p.60]
  2. There are moments of light and hope on At the End of Paths Taken, but overall it is a deliriously dark and brooding album.
  3. What At the End of Paths Taken means for the Cowboy Junkies: it's like a renaissance.
  4. Uncut
    60
    These 11 new songs will do little to dispel the view that the band are fatally addicted to self-indulgent navel-gazing, but it's still beautifully recorded, and played with exquisite tact and precision. [May 2007, p.88]
  5. The unexpected bit is that there are a couple of tracks where the Junkies appear to be making a move from their brooding ballad comfort zone toward brooding bluesy shuffles that very nearly get funky.
  6. Q Magazine
    40
    While elegantly arranged and rendered with passion, this is unlikely to convert those deaf to formulaic Americana. [Apr 2007, p.117]
  7. On Paths Taken, the Junkies sound like a band battling obsolescence and trying entirely too hard to make an impression as an inventive and therefore relevant band.

See all 10 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 1 out of 4
  1. RussellL.
    Jul 16, 2007
    9
    heartfelt, loving, and thoughtful. What more could you want?
  2. [Anonymous]
    May 8, 2007
    8
    Despite the critics' reviews, this is another strong CJ album. Their sound is subdued and the vocals are silk, like always. If subtle, Despite the critics' reviews, this is another strong CJ album. Their sound is subdued and the vocals are silk, like always. If subtle, smart, melodic alt.rock is boring, then the cowboy junkies are guilty. Expand
  3. CraigO.
    May 25, 2007
    7
    An average, but satisfying effort. By the way, Ms. Timmon's husband is not Paul Simon, but Graham Henderson, President of the Canadian An average, but satisfying effort. By the way, Ms. Timmon's husband is not Paul Simon, but Graham Henderson, President of the Canadian Recording Industry Association. Expand
  4. ToddW
    May 3, 2007
    3
    Look, I suffer depressing mood music as much as the next person. And I occasionally like it. But not for an entire career, for goodness Look, I suffer depressing mood music as much as the next person. And I occasionally like it. But not for an entire career, for goodness sakes! Margo, being married to Paul Simon can't be that much of a burden, can it? On second thought, don't answer that question. But I'm at the end of my rope trying to be chipper in wake of your band's repeated black and blue offerings. I know you found a niche with your breathy, smoky vocals calling to mind loneliness and the dark recesses of forgotten barrooms, but the sun does shine on these black holes once in a while, even if it's only a door opening. Please, sing about that, too, before I put the rope around my neck. Expand