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Universal acclaim - based on 20 Critic Reviews What's this?

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8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 134 Ratings

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  • Summary: Although techno artist Moby had been on the scene for almost a decade and had released five albums, his fame had chiefly been limited to his club hit "Go" back in 1991. 'Play' changed all that, however, garnering a sea of critical and popular acclaim for the artist. A mix of stylesAlthough techno artist Moby had been on the scene for almost a decade and had released five albums, his fame had chiefly been limited to his club hit "Go" back in 1991. 'Play' changed all that, however, garnering a sea of critical and popular acclaim for the artist. A mix of styles (including deviations into blues and gospel), 'Play' also has the unique distinction of having all 18 of its tracks licensed for use in film, television and advertising.… Expand

Top Track

Waitin' On A Woman
Sittin' on a bench at West Town Mall He sat down in his overalls and asked me You waitin' on a woman I nodded yeah and said how 'bout you He said son... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Village Voice (Consumer Guide)
    100
    But though the blues and gospel and more gospel testify not just for song but for body and spirit, they wouldn't shout anywhere near as loud and clear without the mastermind's ministrations--his grooves, his pacing, his textures, his harmonies, sometimes his tunes...
  2. E! Online
    91
    Unlike so many other cut-and-paste experiments, this actually sounds like music and not a clever science project.
  3. Armchair DJ
    90
    The most consistently lovely album of his career.
  4. Almost Cool
    80
    It's a fun, varied excursion.
  5. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    In ploughing a unique furrow in pop music, he demands your enjoyment as much as your respect.
  6. Village Voice
    80
    A perfect blend of sacred and secular--exactly what Moby's been looking for all along.
  7. Pitchfork
    50
    In short, it's fun and functional, yet disposable.

See all 20 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 19
  3. Negative: 3 out of 19
  1. ValiantAlex
    Mar 22, 2004
    10
    It is from the rare single-author albums that gives so satisfaction. The good about it is that it isn't comfirmed to some kind of music It is from the rare single-author albums that gives so satisfaction. The good about it is that it isn't comfirmed to some kind of music neither to a particular style(except maybe for that charming piano), it is what I should call multi-stylish. You can hear several voises and many instruments. But, hey, this is music and what makes this awesome is the punk explosions at times, that perfectly graceful piano , the harmony and the rythm of Moby's music. This music is utterly unpredictable and suprising with its spirit. Beautiful, beautiful!!… Expand
  2. TF
    Jun 5, 2005
    10
    Easily a 10. Probably Moby's best album to date.
  4. DanMetacritic94
    Feb 5, 2013
    10
    I can’t think of anything to say that hasn’t already been said about Moby’s Play album. The one thing that I can say though (and I know it isI can’t think of anything to say that hasn’t already been said about Moby’s Play album. The one thing that I can say though (and I know it is typical) is that it's his best album he has ever made throughout his entire career.

    The music was flawless, the beats are nice and catchy, the samples he used is brilliant, and it has a fantastic pace.

    I love how the first couple of tracks were all fun and throughout the course of the album, it starts to get darker, more meaningful and really emotional.

    Overall, Moby’s Play is a fantastic album. It left a huge impact on the electronic music genre and it certainly had left a huge impact on me for the rest of my life.

    Track Picks: Honey, Porcelain, Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?, Rushing, Bodyrock, Natural Blues The Sky Is Broken

    DW Rating: 5 out of 5 stars *Album Pick*    … Expand
  5. Wendy
    Apr 4, 2005
    9
    Moby at his best!
  6. Ricko
    Feb 28, 2012
    8
    Groundbreaking might be a bit OTT, but this album really brought dance and ambience tracks to the mainstream in a major way. It's got a lot ofGroundbreaking might be a bit OTT, but this album really brought dance and ambience tracks to the mainstream in a major way. It's got a lot of great tracks on it, however there are a few tracks that just crawl along and don't really serve any purpose as far as I can hear. Every other track on this seems to have been either features in some film, tv show or advert. Fans of the X files will recognise "The Sky is Broken" and "My Weakness" from some of the later episodes. Natural Blues, Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad and Porcelain and instantly recognisable.… Expand
  7. AlexK
    Oct 4, 2006
    8
    Any review that uses the word "advertising" to sum up this album (excluding this one, obviously) should be disregarded. To judge an album Any review that uses the word "advertising" to sum up this album (excluding this one, obviously) should be disregarded. To judge an album purely on a populist basis is unfair. While Moby brought his music to a much wider audience by licensing it to ad execs, much smaller bands and artists are doing the same using MySpace. Same intention, but simply different means and different scale, and Moby shouldn't be criticised for it. This is a seminal album, one that properly transcended genres and one which - rough edges and all - managed to prove that anyone with a sampler and a keyboard can't blame their equipment for making poor music.… Expand
  8. AmberE.
    Jul 27, 2002
    0
    Moby proves that he sux. and Eminem Rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See all 19 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Best Album of 1999
5
#5 Most Discussed Album of 1999
4
#4 Most Shared Album of 1999

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