World Without Tears
by Lucinda Williams
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. E! Online
    100
    Williams' captivating lyrics are gut-wrenchingly intimate.
  2. Uncut
    100
    It's the most extraordinary smorgasbord of styles, moods, modes, a far more daring, jolting record than 2001's Essence. [Album of the Month, May 2003, p.88]
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  3. Entertainment Weekly
    100
    A perfectly imperfect set, it's looser, blowsier, and more what-the-hell? than anything she's done.
  5. Mojo
    100
    It is all heart, it is truth and it is beautiful. [Jun 2003, p.94]
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  6. Spin
    100
    While Essence was lyrically spare, World marks Williams' return to the painful sensuality of the specific. [May 2003, p.109]
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  7. PopMatters
    100
    World Without Tears is a complex, multifaceted album that musically highlights Williams's continued blurring of musical genres and poetic lyrics.
  8. Village Voice (Consumer Guide)
    91
    A band record, a groove record, a riff record; something lowdown, dirty, smoky.
  9. Launch.com
    90
    World Without Tears... is the singer-songwriter's rawest album to date -- it's often closer to all-out rock than it is to either alt-country or the singer-songwriter tradition -- and it's also her best release so far.
  10. Billboard
    90
    She is simply magnificent.
  11. AllMusic
    90
    It is simply the bravest, most emotionally wrenching record she's ever issued.
  12. Amazon.com
    80
    There's more Patti Smith in her than there is Patsy Cline.
  13. The A.V. Club
    80
    It's an album filled with appetites and their consequences.
  14. Q Magazine
    80
    She sounds gloriously rough-edged and authentic. [May 2003, p.114]
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  15. Blender
    80
    Unlike 2001's spare Essence, this album prickles with the lyrical details that make Williams's work exceptional. [#15, p.126]
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  16. Austin Chronicle
    67
    Williams continues taking chances, lyrically and stylistically, but with a success rate that would only be acceptable of someone with less songwriting talent.

Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Best Album of 2003

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
  1. CornfieldCub
    Oct 28, 2010
    6
    Agreed this record starts out at a comfortable pace and canter. Some how the cadence is thrown off and he road gets treacherous. One of herAgreed this record starts out at a comfortable pace and canter. Some how the cadence is thrown off and he road gets treacherous. One of her best efforts, yet lacks consistency from beginning to end. She needs to dance with the fella that brought her and not tease us with a dance or two with her best friend's little brother.… Full Review »
  2. Russ
    Aug 14, 2007
    9
    The beginning of the album is strong as i've ever heard. The first 6 songs just flow, but then, Atonement starts and just jars me. Gotta The beginning of the album is strong as i've ever heard. The first 6 songs just flow, but then, Atonement starts and just jars me. Gotta skip it every time. The rest of the album is rather uneven with both highs and lows. Still worth owning for the majority of the standout tracks. Just skip the ones you might not like.… Full Review »
  3. BrianK
    Feb 14, 2007
    10
    her best? it's a toss up between Car Wheels on a Gravel Road and this album. She is truly an amazing performer and songwriter.
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