• Record Label: Matador
  • Release Date: Jan 24, 2006
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 35
  2. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. It doesn't take a genius to see that this is a wicked concept on paper: Marshall's got the voice and the vibe to make it work, but there's a nagging sense that it wasn't properly planned out.
  2. A number of songs suggest brilliance before stumbling rather into the bland.
  3. Alternative Press
    60
    She's gone from being an indie rocker's wet dream to sounding like the most NPR-friendly singer-songwriter your parents haven't discovered yet. [Mar 2006, p.124]
  4. Magnet
    60
    After making three great albums in a row, for Marshall to turn in a merely decent one seems like a letdown. [#71, p.88]
  5. Though the lyrics are light ("Could We") and often banal ("The Moon"), the warm, Mazzy Star minimalism and neon-roots groove are fairly irresistible.
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 89 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 77 out of 89
  2. Negative: 4 out of 89
  1. rass.
    Jan 3, 2009
    10
    perfect!
  2. Jan 29, 2018
    8
    It is a wonderful album. Very slow, yet still engaging. The lyrics tell great stories.
  3. Nov 20, 2013
    10
    People are always trying to be different. This album is the definition of perfection. It's been years since it was first released, but I canPeople are always trying to be different. This album is the definition of perfection. It's been years since it was first released, but I can still enjoy the whole album playing repeatedly today. "The Greatest" is a tremendous accomplishment both musically and lyrically. Anyone giving this album a score below 7 is only trying to not be the "mainstream" reviewers or simply underrating both Marshall and the album. Full Review »