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World Without Tears
by
World Without Tears Image
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 21 Ratings

  • Summary: Recorded live in studio with her band and co-produced by Mark Howard, 'World Without Tears' marks the follow-up to Williams' acclaimed 2001 release 'Essence.'

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Spin
    100
    While Essence was lyrically spare, World marks Williams' return to the painful sensuality of the specific. [May 2003, p.109]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    100
    A perfectly imperfect set, it's looser, blowsier, and more what-the-hell? than anything she's done.
  3. E! Online
    100
    Williams' captivating lyrics are gut-wrenchingly intimate.
  4. AllMusic
    90
    It is simply the bravest, most emotionally wrenching record she's ever issued.
  5. The A.V. Club
    80
    It's an album filled with appetites and their consequences.
  6. Blender
    80
    Unlike 2001's spare Essence, this album prickles with the lyrical details that make Williams's work exceptional. [#15, p.126]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Trouser Press
    40
    Beyond the musical unevenness of an album whose finer qualities interleave those mounting miscalculations, a rising suspicion that misery is of more comfort to her than happiness makes the tenor of Williams' songs increasingly hard to bear.

See all 18 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. 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.
  2. JonH
    Jun 13, 2004
    10
    another wonderful record from Lucinda.
  4. [Anonymous]
    Jan 28, 2006
    10
    the best album i've ever heard
  5. Matt
    Jul 9, 2003
    9
    Another great album for Lucinda. Different is not always worse.
  6. 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.… Expand
  7. JimL
    Apr 4, 2006
    9
    Great! Harder rocking.
  8. T.David
    Apr 30, 2003
    5
    Some of the songs show off her brilliance, especially 'Righteously' and the title cut. But others, especially the twang-rappers, Some of the songs show off her brilliance, especially 'Righteously' and the title cut. But others, especially the twang-rappers, give you a 'what was she thinking?' feeling.… Expand

See all 11 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Best Album of 2003