United Nations of Sound
by
United Nations of Sound Image
Metascore
39

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

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  • Artist(s): RPA & the United Nations of Sound
  • Summary: The British band, formed by former Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft, features production by hip-hop virtuoso No ID and crosses musical genre borders.

Top Track

Are You Ready?
Ooh Ooh Yeah Ooh Ooh Yeah Ooh Ooh Yeah Are you ready? Ooh, are you ready for the day? He's gonna come back down to earth I hope you're gonna... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 16
  3. Negative: 7 out of 16
  1. Billboard.com
    Mar 31, 2011
    72
    It's a bold change of course that gave overseas ears pause when it was first released in July under the group name RPA & the United Nations of Sound.
  2. Hot Press
    60
    Ex-Verve singer teams up with the cream of modern R&B for some far-out funk soul brotherhood.
  3. AllMusic
    Dec 21, 2011
    50
    It's a bit of a surprise that this album sounds like a watered-down diluted Urban Hymns, with all the romantic darkness turned into something cheerfully dippy.
  4. Slant Magazine
    40
    In between the record's one marked high point and its half-a-dozen contemptible lows, the former Verve frontman takes the United Nations of Sound to places he's been countless times before.
  5. Pitchfork
    32
    United Nations of Sound arrives with a Sunday-school sermon's worth of resurrection rhetoric that conflates Ashcroft's return with that of J.C. himself.
  6. New Musical Express (NME)
    30
    Richard Paul Ashcroft has assembled that most ruggedly authentic of musical backings, a team of LA session players, and walked them through all of his most anodyne default settings, at a deadeningly flat pace.
  7. Dot Music
    10
    He, like Ashcroft before RPA & The United Nations Of Sound, has absolutely no idea how rubbish he's capable of being. Take note Liam, and be careful.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. Lennon77
    Mar 3, 2011
    8
    Seriously, I can't understand the negative reviews for this album. In my opinion it can only be down to bad timing for Ashcroft and not beingSeriously, I can't understand the negative reviews for this album. In my opinion it can only be down to bad timing for Ashcroft and not being in fashion when it got released last summer. Obviously if you're not a fan of The Veve or his solo stuff then you'll probably not like this album. But for fans of the man I think it is one of the best things he's done as a solo artist.

    The new sound and production he's went for has given his soulful, anthemic music a real inspiring lift. I found with his solo albums, to be hit and miss with a lot of songs. But as an album this is strong throughout. Well done Richard, more of the same please.    … Expand
  2. speedybill47
    Feb 22, 2011
    4
    Opening song the only one worth buying and saving form a one , Rest is just ugh jsut ugh ugh gugh gugh gughghghghghghgh i hate it! Nothing isOpening song the only one worth buying and saving form a one , Rest is just ugh jsut ugh ugh gugh gugh gughghghghghghgh i hate it! Nothing is new its pure 100 percent cringe rock… Expand

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