You Can't Teach An Old Dog New Tricks
by Seasick Steve
  • Record Label: PIAS
  • Release Date: May 30, 2011
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
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  1. AllMusic
    Dec 19, 2011
    80
    Builds on the loose and raw sound of Wold's earlier records, but [the album] is also an extension of them, pulling in strains of folk and country and adding them to his signature trance blues sound. The result is a powerfully good record.
  2. Q Magazine
    Jun 21, 2011
    80
    Sixth album by the artist who won MOJO's Best Breakthrough Act award 2007, aged 66. [July 2011, p. 100]
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  3. BBC Music
    Jun 17, 2011
    80
    Old Dog New Tricks is hardly an overhaul--the likes of Don't Know Why She Love Me but She Do ensures there's plenty here for adherents to the tried and true. But it's clear that this old dog is stretching his legs more than on any previous album.
  5. The Independent (UK)
    Jun 1, 2011
    80
    Whatever their origin [his guitars], he manages to wrestle compelling riffs from them.
  6. Rolling Stone
    Aug 3, 2011
    70
    His first U.S. album has the fun and fury of his gigs, plus bass and mandolin work by Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones, a notable seal of approval.
  7. Consequence
    Jun 16, 2011
    70
    You Can't Teach An Old Dog New Tricks stays true to its title, not really introducing any new elements to this Seasick Steve's canon, but perfectly satisfying if you're coming in not looking for a revelation in his sound. Expect the expected and this album won't disappoint.
  8. Drowned In Sound
    Jun 1, 2011
    70
    More often than not though, Seasick Steve is just as fun, lively and instantly likeable as ever.
  9. Uncut
    Jun 3, 2011
    60
    A prophetically titled record that does exactly what it promises. [Jul 2011, p.94]
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  10. Clash Music
    Jun 1, 2011
    60
    Despite the gloriously odd decision to place Treasures--a piece of music as fragile as the materialistic lifestyles it attacks--first in the tracklisting, there are no real surprises.
  11. The Guardian
    Jun 1, 2011
    60
    What it lacks in linguistic poetry is amply compensated for in the vibrancy of Seasick's guitar-playing.
  12. The Independent on Sunday (UK)
    Jun 1, 2011
    50
    It's about time he delivered something of substance. YCTAODNT fits the bill, kinda. It's long on heartbreak and short on yee-haw affectations.
  13. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jun 1, 2011
    30
    Four years on, his fifth album just feels stodgily generic.

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