Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 17
  2. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Paste Magazine
    60
    At times convoluted, Solarized can be a bit of a puzzle, but there are precious few pieces missing from this set. [#14, p.115]
  2. Solarized is unlikely to win or lose Brown many fans, but the world of music would certainly be a duller place without him.
  3. Q Magazine
    60
    Musically and lyrically, this has the same hazy, starry-eyed feel [as Music Of The Spheres]. [Oct 2004, p.121]
  4. Mojo
    60
    There's a freshness uncommon to fortysomething men two decades into their career. [Oct 2004, p.110]
  5. Too mystical by half, perhaps, but streets ahead of former Stone Rose John Squire's plain-Jane rock.
  6. Urb
    60
    Has more in common with Oasis than anything else. [Mar 2005, p.110]
  7. Brings to mind an image of someone stuck on a treadmill who has been fooled into believing that he's actually moving forward.
  8. The album's production, particularly the insistence on pinning Brown's hazy croon way on top of the mix, too often dulls any punch the music would otherwise have.
  9. Uncut
    40
    He falls well short thanks to a dated, home-cooked sound and and the earth-bound mundanity of his collaborators. [Nov 2004, p.119]
  10. Most of Solarized sounds like a so-so Portishead record with perfect cheekbones, an expensive haircut and rock-star airheadedness even Noel Gallagher couldn't manage.
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 26 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 26
  3. Negative: 4 out of 26
  1. RobertB.
    Jun 28, 2007
    10
    In a class of his own!!!!!!
  2. NorthFreedomFighter
    Apr 5, 2005
    9
    This album isn't overly fresh or uniquely original, it isn't going to blow anyone away outright, and it won't likely win any This album isn't overly fresh or uniquely original, it isn't going to blow anyone away outright, and it won't likely win any critics awards, but if you take it for what it is, a solid record made by a man who just has a knack for good sound, I gurantee you will love it. Use it to chill out to, use it to spice up your day, but always realize that this record does what it has meant to do. . . keep you listening. Full Review »
  3. patc
    Mar 28, 2005
    8
    I loved his first album, then loved his second album, his 3rd was pretty good it had a few decent songs, and this one is #3 on my list, very I loved his first album, then loved his second album, his 3rd was pretty good it had a few decent songs, and this one is #3 on my list, very good album. Full Review »