Lay It Down
by Al Green
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Delusions of Adequacy
    100
    Everything on Lay it Down is gorgeous, memorable and absolutely stunning.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    One of popular music's great voices is being flattered by his surroundings in a way he hasn't in a long, long time.
  3. MSN Consumer Guide (Robert Christgau)
    91
    True, Green spends more time supplicating than celebrating, and probably fabricated the whole scenario. But he knows his subject, and he doesn't need Jesus to lay it down.
  5. PopMatters
    90
    Familiar yet fresh, Lay It Down presents Satin Soul at its finest.
  6. Los Angeles Times
    88
    Featuring some of the Reverend's finest work in years, Green's latest is proof positive that as important as it is to show up, you still need to know how to lay it down.
  7. The Boston Phoenix
    88
    Singing gets no more graceful than Green’s hot buttered tenor, which he plies here with every micron of grace and soul he can muster. Add the Dap-King Horns (able backers of Sharon Jones and Amy Winehouse) and this is more than a soul album. It’s an album with soul.
  8. Prefix Magazine
    85
    Playing up his role as elder statesman, Green gets away with delivering the familiar back-in-the-day sermon because listeners expect it from an icon of the past. However, by infusing such consistent gentleness throughout the entire record, he pulls off the unthinkable in the early 21st century--a momentary respite.
  9. AllMusic
    80
    There is no better place to spend 45 minutes than in Lay It Down's dreamy, sensual, gritty, and tender sound world.
  10. Billboard
    80
    Green's voice remains lithe magic, and he's brought in such contemporary all-stars as Anthony Hamilton (on the album's two best tracks, "You've Got the Love I Need" and the slinky title song), John Legend and Corinne Bailey Rae for help.
  11. Blender
    80
    Beyond Green’s wriggly, giggly, purring-to-screaming magnificence (as well as two smoking support vocals by young acolyte Anthony Hamilton), this is an album of intricate groove.
  12. musicOMH.com
    80
    Though it adds no innovation to the genre, Lay It Down's tried-and-true approach should appease longtime soul fans
  13. Observer Music Monthly
    80
    Stunning in places ('I'm Wild About You'), pedestrian in others, the song remains the same, which is achievement enough at Al's age.
  14. Spin
    80
    Lay It Down (with tasty guest spots from John Legend, Anthony Hamilton, and Corinne Bailey Rae) makes it clear that Green's devotion to the primacy of his music's groove has only deepened with age.
  15. Village Voice
    80
    Now 62, the mighty reverend may not be able to make you spontaneously combust like yesteryear, but damn if he can't still get you in the mood with his third batch of love songs for Blue Note.
  16. Vibe
    80
    Lay It Down is almost indistinguishable from green's past hits. Then again, maybe that was the point. [May 2008, p.74]
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  17. Mojo
    80
    From the gentle fire of the first, and title track, this is Green in the role of Love Man and in very fine form. [July 2008, p.100]
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  18. The A.V. Club
    75
    Because Lay It Down recalls the sound of Green's best so well, it also demands comparison with his best songs, a benchmark the album never really approaches. But by any other standard, Lay It Down is a worthy addition to one of soul's most distinguished discographies.
  19. Rolling Stone
    70
    The supporting cast replicates the vintage stylings a touch too meticulously, and Green's singing lacks the turbulence that animated his old masterpieces. But it's hard to find fault with songs like the electrifying title track.
  20. Pitchfork
    68
    Yes, it's a pleasure to hear Green articulate romantic satisfaction, and good for him if he's satisfied. But the grain and pull of his voice is all about longing for both flesh and spirit, and it doesn't quite fit here.
  21. NOW Magazine
    60
    Although Lay It Down is initially appealing because it has the super­ficial sound of Green’s classic Hi material, you soon discover that Green has nothing terribly deep to offer lyrically, and his vocals are locked on cruise control throughout.
  22. Uncut
    60
    The atmosphere is organic and engaging, the only problem being that amid the fug of good vibes, no one remembered to write a killer song. [July 2008, p.94]
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  23. Q Magazine
    60
    It takes ?uestlove from The Roots to reproduce the kind of smooth, mellow-aged soul that made Green's name. [July 2008, p.102]
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Awards & Rankings

55
#55 Best Album of 2008

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 16
  3. Negative: 1 out of 16
  1. DougD.
    Aug 31, 2008
    9
    This is a great album. This is a true R&B / Soul album. I someone would have told me that this was all unreleased tracks from the 70's I This is a great album. This is a true R&B / Soul album. I someone would have told me that this was all unreleased tracks from the 70's I would have to believe them because this is a throwback to that era of R&B. Just great music all around. This is definitely one of my top 5 of '08.… Full Review »
  2. MycroftW.
    Jul 7, 2008
    9
    His best since his comeback, that voice is still very much up to his 70s standards and who better than ?uestlove and James Poyser to update His best since his comeback, that voice is still very much up to his 70s standards and who better than ?uestlove and James Poyser to update the Hi-records sound.… Full Review »
  3. mDunn
    Jun 27, 2008
    10
    This is an amazing album that blows away all the current soul pretenders. Almost as good as his 70s masterpieces.
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