The Scene Of The Crime
by Bettye LaVette
  • Record Label: Anti
  • Release Date: Sep 25, 2007
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. World&Music.gr
    Jan 6, 2008
    7
    It could had been better but who needs perfection when you have sensation?
  2. OliverP.
    Oct 20, 2007
    10
    Bettye LaVette finally takes her place along side the great singers in the business. It's a place where she ALWAYS belonged, but for reasons now being revealed, was left behind. Now, she's winning awards, appearing in top places and getting the recognition and critical acclaim afforded to only great stars. Her new CD is wonderful and richly deserving of awards. GIVE THEM TO HER!
  3. FredW.
    Oct 20, 2007
    10
    Astounding!
  4. donl.
    Oct 20, 2007
    10
    Simply one of the best records released in 2007. Joe Henry is tough to beat as a producer (see 2005 Hell to Raise) and Patterson Hood doesn't but so what? Bettye LaVette sings like her life is on the line, every song, every note. This is intense music and well worth the listen. Essential.
  5. ChrisK
    Nov 25, 2007
    8
    Listen once and you're almost stunned. Listen twice and the message grabs you. Listen three times and you realize that covers are more than just some singer singing an originally performed arrangement ... it's too bad we've lost the kind of stylizing that Bettye brings to this wonderful R&B / Classic Soul record. The Drive By Truckers drive the groove to near perfection for Listen once and you're almost stunned. Listen twice and the message grabs you. Listen three times and you realize that covers are more than just some singer singing an originally performed arrangement ... it's too bad we've lost the kind of stylizing that Bettye brings to this wonderful R&B / Classic Soul record. The Drive By Truckers drive the groove to near perfection for being a rock band.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

72
#72 Best Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. AllMusic
    90
    It gets better with each listen, and stands so far outside the realm of anything her better-known peers are doing today that it's almost scary.
    Read full review
  2. Amazon.com
    90
    The singer's whiskey-stained voice infuses those words with a fierce mix of pride, hurt, resignation, sadness, strength, and humility--traits that make her one of the finest R&B singers of her generation. There are other riveting moments rivaling that from this deeply moving set.
    Read full review
  3. Billboard
    80
    Despite her co-conspirators, LaVette proves again that she's the star of the show.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »