Tell Me I'm Pretty
by Cage the Elephant
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Dec 18, 2015
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
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  1. The Guardian
    Jan 7, 2016
    80
    The band are operating in an ever more overcrowded field, but their songwriting has never been sharper.
  2. Exclaim
    Dec 16, 2015
    80
    With the release of Melophobia in 2013, listeners saw Cage create a new identity; Tell Me I'm Pretty takes that change further by exploring new avenues and soundscapes, and it's better for it.
  3. Mojo
    Dec 9, 2015
    80
    It's a welcome upgrade, more considered yet catchier. [Jan 2016, p.98]
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  5. Q Magazine
    Dec 9, 2015
    80
    Matt Shultz has never sung more convincingly, but these are big, ideas-drenched songs, packed with beguiling twists and turns. [Jan 2016, p.108]
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  6. Drowned In Sound
    Dec 9, 2015
    80
    Other than the production, Tell Me I’m Pretty sits very much in the same league as Melophobia--a confident, eclectic rock record with heaps of personality and charm.
  7. The A.V. Club
    Dec 18, 2015
    75
    These songs are effective as standalones and the album does gel into a cohesive statement, but for a group whose identity was finally coming into focus on Melophobia, Cage The Elephant’s signature sound here is obscured.
  8. Rolling Stone
    Dec 22, 2015
    70
    These guys aren't just reliving classic sounds, they're giving them a frantic sense of dread that's perfect for our own dislocated, paranoid times.
  9. AllMusic
    Dec 18, 2015
    70
    Despite the clear connections, it's not completely derivative. Cage the Elephant are maturing and their songs have a new heft to them, which may drive away some old diehards but will certainly attract new followers.
  10. Uncut
    Dec 9, 2015
    70
    Not pretty, necessarily, but pretty good. [Jan 2016, p.75]
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  11. Classic Rock Magazine
    Dec 9, 2015
    70
    Add one of 2015’s swooniest ballads in Trouble and you’ve got an album that’s not exactly pretty, but is definitely a keeper.
  12. Consequence
    Dec 22, 2015
    67
    While Cage the Elephant deliver a well-rounded record, this one’s not enough to vault them multiple steps ahead.
  13. The New York Times
    Dec 16, 2015
    60
    The bigger change is in the songs, which no longer promise that rock brashness can overpower adversity.... It’s a daring, deliberate shift for Cage the Elephant. But in its single-mindedness, the album sacrifices the wildly seesawing balance between life force and mortality that gave the band its verve.
  14. The Observer (UK)
    Dec 14, 2015
    60
    All the songs are good, mind: well structured, varied, winning. It’s just that as always, you can’t imagine them ever being anyone’s favourite band.
  15. Punknews.org (Staff)
    Jan 13, 2016
    50
    Tell Me I'm Pretty, while poppy and as mainstream as ever, loses its sense of appeal, character and individuality in coming off too much as a carbon copy of The Black Keys.
  16. Under The Radar
    Jan 4, 2016
    50
    The issue here, though, is that the band seemed more than capable of leaping ahead of their radio-friendly indie counterparts, but slip right back into the abyss with their least ambitious LP to date.
  17. Clash Music
    Dec 23, 2015
    50
    In their bid to capture the essence of their bluesy, garage rock, Cage the Elephant have effectively managed to lose the quirky personality they once had, and whilst Tell Me I'm Pretty is far from a homogeneous record, the tracks do have a tendency to bleed into one another, particularly on repeat listens.

Awards & Rankings

55
#55 Most Discussed Album of 2015
20
#20 Most Shared Album of 2015

User Reviews

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User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 101 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 81 out of 101
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 101
  3. Negative: 6 out of 101
  1. tayrurebz
    Dec 18, 2015
    10
    powerful lyrics and themes in each song, very different from their usual but utterly beautiful all the same. each song is sung with passionpowerful lyrics and themes in each song, very different from their usual but utterly beautiful all the same. each song is sung with passion and drive, you can tell they worked very hard on this album. Would very much recommend to any fans.… Full Review »
  2. RickFlairbombed
    Dec 21, 2015
    4
    Very underwhelming, especially compared to Melophobia. I had my suspicions with Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys producing this album andVery underwhelming, especially compared to Melophobia. I had my suspicions with Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys producing this album and unfortunately they came to fruition. The increasingly neutered direction that the Black Keys sound has taken is now a part of Cage the Elephant's sound. Very little experimentation is demonstrated, the melodies are not too unique or memorable, it is just a rather forgettable album. Stick to your own band Dan.… Full Review »
  3. PussayBeast
    May 20, 2018
    10
    A perfect album for a passer-by and fans as well. Catchy instrumentals, worthy lyrics - this album is a huge earworm. One of the year's best.
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