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The Awakening
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The Awakening Image
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 6 Ratings

  • Summary: The ninth studio album for the Kansas-born singer.

Top Track

I've Loved You Before
When I think of how you know me, no doubts no thinking twice. When your smile can be so soothing, a familiar paradise. When there's no one else that... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. AllMusic
    70
    It's interesting that while so many of these songs are peppered with faux-mystical approaches to spirituality, the album is also confessional and looks hard at itself, even if at times it seems cloying, self-indulgent, and preachy.
  2. Boston Globe
    70
    It's been a trying but triumphant past few years for Melissa Etheridge. Her celebratory new album reflects those times with some of her most compelling songwriting in years (particularly 'Map of the Stars') cast in her usual power-rock framework.
  3. Rolling Stone
    70
    Melissa Etheridge finds both a depth and an ease that eluded her on previous releases.
  4. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    Her ninth LP's title sounds like a promise to expand on that MO, yet the first few tracks find Etheridge wasting her weather-beaten voice on bland lyrics and arrangements. Thankfully, she redeems the disc with a closing clutch of passionate antiwar declarations that let her play her firebrand persona to the hilt.
  5. Los Angeles Times
    40
    Toning down the sonic drama creates an appealing intimacy, but an hour's worth of blues- and folk-flavored ballads becomes monotonous.

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. CoreyS
    Oct 23, 2007
    10
    It's pretty clear to me that the reviewers just don't get this album. Calling this 'an hour's worth of blues-and It's pretty clear to me that the reviewers just don't get this album. Calling this 'an hour's worth of blues-and folk-flavored ballads' is like calling Iron Maiden a boy band. This is quite simply Melissa's masterpiece. This is her Nebraska. This is her Pet Sounds. This is her Abbey Road. It has the potential hit singles in Message To Myself, California, Threesome and What Happens Tomorrow. It also has some great non radio-friendly songs such as Map Of The Stars, The Kingdom Of Heaven and the Universe Listened that make this a very cohesive album (a concept that is all but completely lost in today's music) that details Melissa's journey. It also features quite possibly the best love song that she has ever written in I Think I've Loved You Before. The Awakening is a classic!… Expand
  2. MattD.
    Oct 26, 2007
    7
    Somewhat disappointing musically, but it has many very poignant and powerful lyrics. Some of the political stuff here might sway the more Somewhat disappointing musically, but it has many very poignant and powerful lyrics. Some of the political stuff here might sway the more hardened conservatives. If you like the rocky Melissa, listen to it first, but others should find it a fine addition to her catalog.… Expand

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