Tell Me I'm Pretty
by Cage the Elephant
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Dec 18, 2015
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
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  1. 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.
  2. 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 passion and drive, you can tell they worked very hard on this album. Would very much recommend to any fans.
  3. michaeln
    Dec 18, 2015
    10
    If you think there's no more good alt-rock bands left on planet earth, Cage the Elephant might prove you wrong. Give them the chance. This album is a lot of fun. The band has as much personality as ever. The first track is a little slow, though. So power through that one and you'll be good.
  4. jlvaughn
    Dec 20, 2015
    9
    I like the sound of this album, and the lyrics are great. I feel like while they are expanding and remodeling their sound they are keeping key features about their music which makes it feel a bit familiar (which is a good thing for me). It is very obvious - in some songs more than others (Mess Around, Punchin Bag) - that Ben Auerbach produced the album. Not sure how I feel about theseI like the sound of this album, and the lyrics are great. I feel like while they are expanding and remodeling their sound they are keeping key features about their music which makes it feel a bit familiar (which is a good thing for me). It is very obvious - in some songs more than others (Mess Around, Punchin Bag) - that Ben Auerbach produced the album. Not sure how I feel about these songs yet, maybe a bit too much 'Black Keys' and not enough originality. This album does feel more raw than any of their previous and I like the direction they're going in. The album does have enough variation between songs to keep it interesting and fresh, but has an obvious overall theme.… Expand
  5. MGMTpower316
    Jan 6, 2016
    10
    This was definitely the Alternative Album of the year. The lyrics are so enduring and fantastic. The vocals are very harmonic and just near-perfect, this album was Cage the elephants golden child. And I recommend it to any rock music fan and newbie.
  6. diego9901
    Dec 18, 2015
    10
    This album is completly amazing. The lyrics, the sound, the voices. All is amazing. Cage the Elephant is a band who know how to do real music.........
  7. SavioArero
    Dec 19, 2015
    10
    Amazing álbum, a lot of influences from the Black keys in it, Dan Auerbach did a great work. it's catchy, funny but on the same time melancholic and good to listen. For me, one of the best albums of the year
  8. bhinton1
    Dec 19, 2015
    10
    Halfway through my first listen of the album (on "Trouble"), and can already tell this one will be accompanying me through the rest of winter. Some albums grow on you to become favorites, but this is one of the rare albums that I'm loving right out of the gate. Next step is to go see when their tour is coming through Seattle. Love these guys.
  9. auzzypao
    Dec 18, 2015
    10
    I gave this album a ten out of ten, but it probably deserves about a 9. The ten was to boost the ratings. Anyway, the album is very good. I think the first half before cold, cold, cold is really good, and gets a little diluted after that. First half, 10/10, second half, 7.5/10. A lot of the songs sounds similar, but I would definitely recommend it still. Sweetie Little Jean is the surpriseI gave this album a ten out of ten, but it probably deserves about a 9. The ten was to boost the ratings. Anyway, the album is very good. I think the first half before cold, cold, cold is really good, and gets a little diluted after that. First half, 10/10, second half, 7.5/10. A lot of the songs sounds similar, but I would definitely recommend it still. Sweetie Little Jean is the surprise song of the album.… Expand
  10. kenny_dlc
    Mar 29, 2016
    9
    Love this album, and both The Black Keys & CTE enough that I've seen them together in concert, but I have a few problems with this album:

    - Auerbach pushed his sonical influence with his sound in some of the songs way too much, big time. Mess Around = El Camino vibe Too Late To Say Goodbye = Brothers vibe How Are You True = Brothers vibe That's Right = solo / side work Punching Bag    Love this album, and both The Black Keys & CTE enough that I've seen them together in concert, but I have a few problems with this album:

    - Auerbach pushed his sonical influence with his sound in some of the songs way too much, big time.
    Mess Around = El Camino vibe
    Too Late To Say Goodbye = Brothers vibe
    How Are You True = Brothers vibe
    That's Right = solo / side work
    Punching Bag = EXACTLY SOMETHING FROM TURN BLUE, if Dan Auerbach sounded more rowdy

    - They're definitely tamer. I can enjoy ALL of these songs unlike I do with some of the messier tracks from TYHBD per say, but I would've loved to see another "Teeth" or something here.

    If you're a true fan of both, you'd understand, but otherwise love this album, especially when you consider the songs on their own apriori to listening to The Black Keys    … Expand
  11. danielsons
    Jan 24, 2016
    10
    A great album, very intense songs. "How Are You True" have some special touch that makes be one of my favorite songs. This entire album have a haunting and comforting mood that makes it so special. "Trouble", "Mess Around" and "Too Late To Say Goodbye" are others great songs too.
  12. lisiak
    Jan 6, 2016
    8
    I like the sound of this album. Really nostalgic. And lyrics are great too. But it's too short for me. I didn't know this band, but I'm possitive suprised. 8/10 :)
  13. tsamcte
    Feb 8, 2016
    8
    Woah Matt Shultz must've gone through some tough relationship...Yeah so I wasn't too sure what to rate this, infact I'm also a little confused as to how I feel about this album. I think the singing style is really cool and some of the lyrics in here are pretty awesome as well. I think there were a lot of really good songs, but maybe a couple were lacking a little. Even so, each song hadWoah Matt Shultz must've gone through some tough relationship...Yeah so I wasn't too sure what to rate this, infact I'm also a little confused as to how I feel about this album. I think the singing style is really cool and some of the lyrics in here are pretty awesome as well. I think there were a lot of really good songs, but maybe a couple were lacking a little. Even so, each song had it's own theme and addressed a different stage or issue in a relationship, revealing reality. It was like being taken through Matt's emotions from frustration to sadness to regret to acceptance. Overall I think it was a great album.… Expand
  14. TheArchetypes
    Sep 9, 2016
    7
    I like the sound of this album, and the lyrics are great. I feel like while they are expanding and remodelling their sound they are keeping key features about their music which makes it feel a bit familiar. It is very obvious, in some songs more than others, that Ben Auerbach produced the album. Not sure how I feel about these songs yet, maybe a bit too much 'Black Keys' and not enoughI like the sound of this album, and the lyrics are great. I feel like while they are expanding and remodelling their sound they are keeping key features about their music which makes it feel a bit familiar. It is very obvious, in some songs more than others, that Ben Auerbach produced the album. Not sure how I feel about these songs yet, maybe a bit too much 'Black Keys' and not enough originality. This album does feel more raw than any of their previous and I like the direction they're going in. The album does have enough variation between songs to keep it interesting and fresh, but has an obvious overall theme.… Expand
  15. grizzyGR
    Mar 17, 2017
    10
    Cage the Elephant continues to grow and impress with their latest album, Tell Me I'm Pretty. Fans who are disappointed by this album are often looking for a sound similar to their first two albums; a sound that has more grunge and punk influence. So if you are looking for a punk sound you will be disappointed. However, if you appreciate the creativity of this band you will enjoy this album.

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. 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.
    Read full review
  2. The Guardian
    Jan 7, 2016
    80
    The band are operating in an ever more overcrowded field, but their songwriting has never been sharper.
    Read full review
  3. 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.
    Read full review
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