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Singing Saw Image
Metascore
84

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

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 36 Ratings

  • Summary: The third full-length solo release for the former Woods bass player was produced by Sam Cohen.
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Top Track

Dorothy
Runnin my mouth off at the storm Yelling man, what the hell did you do that for? And I was watching the old men fish, And they'd all give their catch... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 20
  2. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Apr 28, 2016
    94
    Singing Saw is one of those albums that immediately captures your interest, but offers enough depth and hidden intricacies to make every subsequent listen just as rewarding.
  2. 85
    For all the tragedy that’s to be found within Singing Saw, it is a warm, welcoming album, every second of it informed by a knowledge of the transience of all things.
  3. Apr 15, 2016
    83
    Single lines don’t really stand out, but Morby’s commitment to such elemental concerns has a cumulative effect, and the album’s lack of specificity becomes a strength. That confidence extends to musical choices, including Morby’s tendency to let the small details of the sound do the work.
  4. Apr 14, 2016
    80
    The results are some of the most affecting works of his career, spun through with deep meanings and political sentiment.
  5. Apr 18, 2016
    80
    Black Flowers, one of several tracks rooted in nature, typifies his songwriting prowess, its cryptic lyrics twinned with a gorgeous melody that is both pristine and familiar.
  6. Apr 18, 2016
    80
    Singing Saw is the sound of affirmation, of both hard-earned talent and childlike imagination. As a result, Morby has discovered a sound which is organic without ever quoting, rocking without ever rolling at the same time, transcending while barely leaving the ground.
  7. Apr 15, 2016
    60
    Definitely an album of two halves, by the time you hit ‘Ferris Wheel’ and ‘Destroyer’ the record drifts off into Dylan-isms that while are nice enough, don’t carry the same idiosyncratic weight of ‘Singing Saw’ or ‘Drunk and On A Star’ that will some day carve out a classic from this hugely promising talent.

See all 20 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Apr 15, 2016
    10
    Such a incredible pop/rock album, I'm really in love with it.Such a incredible pop/rock album, I'm really in love with it. . Expand
  2. Apr 19, 2016
    10
    Really great. Varied songs that remind me of Town van Zandt, Nick Drake and Velvet Underground, and mixed with classic folk music elements andReally great. Varied songs that remind me of Town van Zandt, Nick Drake and Velvet Underground, and mixed with classic folk music elements and lyricism. Expand
  3. May 2, 2019
    10
    A timeless album. The songwriter makes his best album, a classical cut of songs but with a modern point of view. The production of the albumA timeless album. The songwriter makes his best album, a classical cut of songs but with a modern point of view. The production of the album is absolutely amazing. Expand
  4. Apr 25, 2016
    7
    A nice step forward for Morby. We've seen a gradual improvement from him over the years, and that's encouraging. The album starts out strongA nice step forward for Morby. We've seen a gradual improvement from him over the years, and that's encouraging. The album starts out strong with "Cut Me Down" and "Been to the Mountain" but dulls off towards the end in a slightly uninteresting way. Overall, a solid work from Morby and Cohen. Expand

See all 5 User Reviews