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Learn To Sing Like A Star
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  • Record Label:
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Learn To Sing Like A Star Image
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 14 Ratings

  • Summary: The singer/songwriter (and member of both Throwing Muses and 50 Foot Wave) returns with her seventh solo release.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. AllMusic
    90
    Learn to Sing Like a Star was certainly worth the wait, and if fans will listen closely enough, they'll understand that Hersh's sophistication as both a singing poet and composer has grown almost immeasurably.
  2. Slant Magazine
    80
    Learn To Sing, which falls somewhere in-between her typically spare acoustic solo outings and her harder-edged Throwing Muses output, might be her most coherent, consistently listenable record since Hips And Makers.
  3. Delusions of Adequacy
    80
    As with any Kristin Hersh long-player, Learn To Sing Like A Star will of course take a dozen or so spins to reveal its true merits to listeners.
  4. Q Magazine
    70
    Further proof of Hersh's glittering place in the rock firmament after two decades of making music. [Mar 2007, p.112]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Alternative Press
    70
    Saturated with stark realism, her confessionals and fictions mark the grueling aftermath of pop's lovey-dovey daydreams. [Mar 2007, p.136]
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  6. Pitchfork
    62
    Hersh produces the record herself, and she doesn't do her compositions any favors.... Still, her voice has that edgy intimacy it's always had.
  7. Paste Magazine
    60
    Learn to Sing Like a Star threads together Hersh's myriad musical guises while striving for some of the immediacy and distinctive yelp of her Throwing Muses heyday. It mostly works. [Mar 2007, p.69]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 20 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. GregF
    Feb 6, 2007
    10
    Full of highly memorable and moving songs, this record easily ranks in the top three of her solo output and perhaps the top five of her Full of highly memorable and moving songs, this record easily ranks in the top three of her solo output and perhaps the top five of her entire 20-year career. Some of the songs likewise would have to rank pretty high out of all Hersh tunes. Anyone who found the middle solo records a bit unimpactful compared to the Muses material will find this much more similar to 'Limbo' and 'Hunkpapa'. Equally those who love the whimsical bitter-sweet lyrics of the first two solo records will feel very much at home here. That makes it sound like it revisits old ideas, but actually it's quite a radical departure in other ways, largely to do with the production strategy. The relationship with the McCarricks has now matured.… Expand
  2. KurtD
    Jan 30, 2007
    10
    high-quality song-writing right here
  4. BenoitC
    Feb 2, 2007
    10
    If her status as a star is questionable, Hersh is undenyably a monument.
  5. GaryM
    Jan 27, 2007
    9
    Here it is -- Kristin Hersh coming forward with a strong message and powerful voice. The music speaks clearly in this acoustic setting. For Here it is -- Kristin Hersh coming forward with a strong message and powerful voice. The music speaks clearly in this acoustic setting. For those of you new to Kirsten's music it's a great place to begin.… Expand
  6. JoeP
    Feb 18, 2007
    9
    A million steps forward for Hersh (especially after the morose and, quite frankly, dull "The Grotto"). This is an album of lush beauty and A million steps forward for Hersh (especially after the morose and, quite frankly, dull "The Grotto"). This is an album of lush beauty and stunning arrangements. "Winter" is the best song Hersh has written since "Spain"... and the album is worth buying just to hear its majesty.… Expand
  7. JeremyF
    Apr 26, 2007
    9
    Hersh has released some better material before this overdue record, and this is not an absolutely necessary album (besides to die hard fans Hersh has released some better material before this overdue record, and this is not an absolutely necessary album (besides to die hard fans and new fans.) She's building a landmark of music. I feel when she'd done with music in say, 6 to 12 years, she'll be looked upon as one of the more influential acoustic/indie musicians.… Expand
  8. MattD.
    Feb 22, 2007
    9
    A quirky mix of mid-90s style rock acoustic, Celtic music, and power pop. The mix really works!

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