Evolver
by John Legend
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Oct 28, 2008
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 22
  3. Negative: 1 out of 22
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    The makeover works for the most part--even if there's something a little absurd about hearing him proposition a platonic friend ('Cross the Line') or someone he's met moments before ('Quickly') in that barbershop-quartet croon.
  2. Dot Music
    80
    "Once Again" remains Legend's best record. But Evolver, in all its modernity and timeliness, may well become his biggest.
  3. NOW Magazine
    80
    This album, like everything else Legend has done, showcases his skill as an artist, but it lacks the passion that would help him reach the Stevie Wonder status he strives for.
  5. Paste Magazine
    80
    Known for his skills on the keys and a voice that retains a lovely purity, even in falsetto territory, Legend does indeed evolve with this record.
  6. Los Angeles Times
    75
    Evolver is still grown-man party music though, and it should go a long way toward preserving his urban-boho reputation while breaking free of any NPR&B stasis in his songwriting.
  7. The A.V. Club
    75
    Smooth to a fault, Evolver solidifies Legend's standing in the pantheon of good soul singers, but greatness continues to elude him.
  8. Billboard
    70
    Legend's voice remains beyond reproach, but for a guy who's an oasis of style and soul in a sea of synthetic, robo-call R&B, at times it seems like he's playing catch-up.
  9. Rolling Stone
    70
    Legend can be goody-goody, but aspirational babymaking music doesn't get more skillful than this.
  10. The New York Times
    70
    With reverberations and a choral backdrop straight out of Seal, it’s his only overreach. Mr. Legend is more charming one-on-one.
  11. Hartford Courant
    70
    Evolver delivers what it promises: A singer, songwriter and musician pushing himself to grow. This is a good first step.
  12. Village Voice
    70
    As the dying industry is still breathing in the toxins of useless filler, patrons like John Legend are fully indulging their creativity in all its flawed glory, just like the soul giants of yesteryear.
  13. Boston Globe
    70
    As the title suggests, Legend is a work-in-progress, and this stage in his evolution is worth hearing.
  14. PopMatters
    70
    This more electronic, less organic version of John Legend is more or less as enjoyable as the balladeer stuck behind the piano.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 2 out of 15
  1. MattJacks2003
    Apr 3, 2019
    10
    John Legend is talented AF when his fan are cool as hell, This album ROCKS!
  2. Phil
    Apr 25, 2009
    10
    Great vocals, that's why I give JL a 10. Can you sing like this? He is up there with Phillip Baily and Maynard J. K.
  3. ChrisB
    Oct 31, 2008
    10
    Great album!
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