User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 16
  2. Negative: 1 out of 16

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
  1. Feb 3, 2013
    10
    Thank goodness I recently discovered this album. It's extraordinary. John Cale is amazing and displays his instrumental complexity, lyrical talents and wonderful voice on this album with moving effectiveness. I hope more people check out this striking collection of hauntingly beautiful songs, as well as the complete body of works by John Cale, a most-distinguished and accomplished artist.Thank goodness I recently discovered this album. It's extraordinary. John Cale is amazing and displays his instrumental complexity, lyrical talents and wonderful voice on this album with moving effectiveness. I hope more people check out this striking collection of hauntingly beautiful songs, as well as the complete body of works by John Cale, a most-distinguished and accomplished artist. He is a true musical pioneer who never stops creating and growing, as evidenced by his latest album, Shifty Adventures in Nookie Wood (love it also). Expand
  2. BJMorgan
    Oct 6, 2004
    10
    This album, while a departure for Cale at times, is a fantastic masterpiece. It makes me wish Lou Reed could put out a cohesive, meaningful, and stunning like this. At this point, John Cale?s solo recordings far surpass that of his VU-counterpart. This record is evidence of a master songwriter.
  3. danielr
    Sep 12, 2004
    10
    Deepening with each listen, a playful, dark, haunting journey past Mondrian and Archimedes to Charlie Brown. Good grief.
  4. GEORGED
    Jun 1, 2004
    10
    Good as always
  5. MichaelM
    Mar 1, 2004
    10
    Remarkable album, darkest blacks and crispest whites sitting together but never blurring to grey, with songs and remarkable production that reveal greater depths each time I listen to it.
  6. JohnK
    Dec 29, 2003
    10
    An incredibly strong album, possibly the best of his long career. Gets better with each listen. Remarkable depth and beauty. I do not give out a 10 lightly, but this is probably the best album of the year.
  7. xcxc
    Nov 18, 2003
    8
    real good totally different from the velvet underground. Yet still manages to sound real creative and extremely druggy.

Awards & Rankings

Metascore
89

Universal acclaim - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. The Wire
    80
    Hobo Sapiens is a confident and consistently rewarding record, and some of its songs rank alongside Cale's best. [#236, p.56]
  2. Q Magazine
    90
    Deep voiced, disquieting and bristling with intelligence, Hobo Sapiens is a reminder of how intoxicating an artist Cale can be. [Nov 2003, p.107]
  3. There's an unwavering confidence and muscular focus behind the music that holds from start to finish.