City Music
by Kevin Morby
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 27 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 27
  3. Negative: 2 out of 27
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  1. Platendraaier
    Jun 26, 2017
    8
    In City Music Kevin Morby carries you in his much musical diversity through the urban areas of the USA. Effectively the loneliness of the main character is incorporated into the musical cohesion, from the amazing sounds of the acoustic guitar to the dark tones of the organ. In addition, the album is full of musical references to the music of the Velvet Underground and especially Lou Reed.In City Music Kevin Morby carries you in his much musical diversity through the urban areas of the USA. Effectively the loneliness of the main character is incorporated into the musical cohesion, from the amazing sounds of the acoustic guitar to the dark tones of the organ. In addition, the album is full of musical references to the music of the Velvet Underground and especially Lou Reed. Often the songs returns to the past, but nowhere does this relate to the story in the big city. Whether it's the nightly lights in a metropolis or the way you stumble across the busy streets of New York, Morby gives you the feeling that you are part of the story. And this story shows the growth of him as a musician, the processing of each chapter in the textual and musical. 8/10

    Full review in Dutch: https://www.platendraaier.nl/albumrecensies/kevin-morby-city-music/    … Expand
  2. michaelwarren22
    Jul 13, 2017
    9
    Kevin Morby's latest record "City Music" confronts the clash between rural upbringing and urban adulthood. Subtle, often beautiful and dripping with nostalgia, here, Kevin is trying to find a easy-going path through an urban life often so relentless.

    The end result is one of nuance and musical mastery.

    9/10

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Dusted Magazine
    Jun 30, 2017
    70
    It’s all a challenge, and it doesn’t always work in Morby’s vision. ... Morby might be digging through a city’s musical landscape, but he’s reaching for something that persists, and the people to persist with him.
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  2. American Songwriter
    Jun 21, 2017
    70
    While City Music certainly doesn’t surpass Singing Saw, it’s a hell of a lot of fun to hear Morby take a walk on the wild side.
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  3. Pitchfork
    Jun 21, 2017
    81
    It’s not hard to hear City Music as a lament for lost innocence, a pledge to maintain optimism and humanity at a time when those qualities don’t just feel like vestiges of youth, but of some better civilization that’s rapidly disappearing. In his best album yet, Morby makes a prayer out of the squall.
    Read full review
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