Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 14
  2. Negative: 0 out of 14
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  1. Jun 7, 2013
    90
    The 14 barebones blasts that make up the record serve not just as a testament to the group's legendary status, but a reminder of the ageless spirit of rock & roll at its most fundamental level.
  2. Sep 5, 2013
    67
    While not nearly as brash or baiting as 1996 essential Popular Favorites, Yarber's junkyard boogie "Run for Cover," greaser ballad "Little War Child," and Friedl's "Woke Up in a Police Car" at least live up to that title.
  3. Jun 11, 2013
    100
    For those of you not so enamoured of the lo-fi, early ‘90s garage/punk crud the Memphis trio so brazenly and brilliantly pioneered, feel free to plug in your own “1” or “0” stars.
  4. Jun 7, 2013
    70
    Despite the layoff, Desperation is the work of a band that still knows a few things about rock ‘n’ roll stripped of pretense.
  5. Jun 7, 2013
    90
    Desperation may prove to be the best rock record of the year.
  6. Mojo
    Jul 10, 2013
    80
    Any threesome with such a full house of boss songwriters shouldn't go splitting up again. [Aug 2013, p.86]
  7. Jun 18, 2013
    80
    For an album that was certainly not recorded spontaneously, Desperation sure sounds spontaneous.
  8. Jun 11, 2013
    83
    Desperation’s greasy, grimy garage rock sounds natural.
  9. Jun 13, 2013
    62
    Their singing is stripped of its former bite, and while they still ramp up the fuzz, it's a much cleaner-sounding album made at Dan Auerbach's Nashville studio. And as a whole, it's very inconsistent.
  10. Jun 7, 2013
    80
    Fourteen songs in 31 minutes, and every moment a thrill.
  11. Uncut
    Jul 10, 2013
    90
    Desperation is as refreshing as it is welcome. [Aug 2013, p.73]
User Score
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No user score yet- Awaiting 2 more ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 2
  2. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. Jun 22, 2013
    10
    Greg, Jack & Eric are back! After 16 years they explode again, and bring along the finest rock'n'roll around. With their punky attitude theyGreg, Jack & Eric are back! After 16 years they explode again, and bring along the finest rock'n'roll around. With their punky attitude they serve Motörheadish candy, garage-brilliance and stuff from New Orleans. And they do it better than everybody else. Who said The Black Keys know how to rock? I did, but the Tennessee-three do it the way it is supposed to be. Happy days are here again! Full Review »