Rotten Apple
by Lloyd Banks
Metascore
51

Mixed or average reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 14
  3. Negative: 3 out of 14
  1. AllMusic
    50
    The highlights are way high, but the album as a whole is "fans-only."
  2. Blender
    50
    Trademark G-Unit, pakced with a few thunderous club jams and too little else. [Oct 2006, p.128]
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  3. E! Online
    75
    Banks seems determined to launch a one-man revival with perfectly polished tracks like "Addicted" and "Hands Up."
  5. Entertainment Weekly
    33
    As tedious as an episode of Teletubbies--and nearly as simplistic. [13 Oct 2006, p.131]
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  6. NOW Magazine
    40
    G-Unit needs to stop remaking Lloyd Banks's first hit, On Fire, from, like, two years ago.
  7. RapReviews.com
    80
    G-Unit fans and Lloyd Banks fans in particular will be satisfied with "Rotten Apple."
  8. Stylus Magazine
    42
    Rotten Apple... doesn’t try to address Banks’ shortcomings, it just buries them under tectonic plates of NYC sturm und drang and more of Banks guffawing end rhymes.
  9. The New York Times
    40
    Where “The Hunger for More” was sly and (almost despite itself) infectious, this rather workmanlike CD isn’t so memorable. [9 Oct 2006]
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  10. Vibe
    50
    Clever turns of phrase, the reason you go to Banks in the first place, are in lesser supply on Apple, replaced with boilerplate declarations of supremacy. [Oct 2006, p.148]
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  11. Billboard
    60
    [It] works best when he's rapping alongside guests.
  12. Los Angeles Times
    75
    A unifying moodiness holds the album together and succeeds in defining a regional New York City sound.
  13. Hartford Courant
    30
    Even Banks' better-than-average skills can't save "Rotten Apple" from mediocrity.
  14. The Boston Phoenix
    37
    For a gangster, Banks sure plays it safe.
  15. Rolling Stone
    60
    It runs a little thin over sixteen tracks.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 32 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 32
  3. Negative: 9 out of 32
  1. TPMAUG01
    Apr 28, 2020
    9
    A very good follow up to his first album. This album feels a lot darker though. Production is strong and Banks is a beast on the mic. TheA very good follow up to his first album. This album feels a lot darker though. Production is strong and Banks is a beast on the mic. The 'softer' songs are also pretty good. Listen to it if you like lyrical, dark, gangsta albums… Full Review »
  2. D
    May 2, 2007
    0
    G-Unit are really n00b, for sure
  3. emilio
    Mar 5, 2007
    10
    off the hook
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