Motherland
by Natalie Merchant
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Spin Cycle
    100
    Track after solid track, "Motherland" is a collection of pure, soulful offerings.
  2. E! Online
    83
    Merchant has achieved a lovely balance of art and craft.
  3. Billboard
    80
    She has never sounded so earthy, so bluesy, so soulful.
  5. Mojo
    80
    The thread which binds is Merchant's seductive, bittersweet voice, something which quickly finds the richer you, than nourishes it. [Dec 2001, p.104]
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  6. Uncut
    80
    Natalie Merchant has made an album of elemental beauty... she's never sounded better. [Jan 2002, p.140]
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  7. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    These tunes don't have the big melodic hooks of "Wonder" or "Jealousy," but that doesn't lessen their beauty. [16 Nov 2001, p.172]
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  8. Q Magazine
    60
    At times her dark warnings about the devil and bluesy intonation sound affected, but full marks for trying out new ground. [Dec 2001, p.127]
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  9. CDNow
    60
    Like her two previous solo records, Merchant's stately gloom is the stuff of pretension and precision, and her serviceably beautiful voice comes off as either darkly charming or annoyingly lilting (sometimes both at the same time).

Awards & Rankings

58
#58 Best Album of 2001
84
#84 Most Shared Album of 2001

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 3 out of 10
  1. AmandaG
    Feb 23, 2006
    9
    This album enchanted me easily from the first notes of the first track. Staying true to her roots, Merchant's art resonates through her This album enchanted me easily from the first notes of the first track. Staying true to her roots, Merchant's art resonates through her compositions as she flirts with a variety of musical genres.… Full Review »
  2. JoeG
    Feb 16, 2006
    7
    A good friend recommended this to me, so I felt duty bound to give it a go as I generally like female singer/songwriters. Some nice enough A good friend recommended this to me, so I felt duty bound to give it a go as I generally like female singer/songwriters. Some nice enough songs but can't fall in love with it. The first track makes for a particularly uninspiring start.… Full Review »
  3. DavidK.
    May 8, 2003
    8
    Probably her best solo effort so far -- if you're a fan, don't hesitate -- you won't be disappointed. There's a new sound Probably her best solo effort so far -- if you're a fan, don't hesitate -- you won't be disappointed. There's a new sound and ethos here, that Merchant hasn't displayed before. Her voice is aging well, showing subtle and rich nuances -- and a deft skill of song interpretation. … Full Review »
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