American Songwriter's Scores
- Music
For 1,814 reviews, this publication has graded:
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50% higher than the average critic
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5% same as the average critic
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45% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 0.8 points higher than other critics.
(0-100 point scale)
Average Music review score: 74
Highest review score: | Rockstar | |
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Lowest review score: | Dancing Backward in High Heels |
Score distribution:
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Positive: 1,458 out of 1814
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Mixed: 352 out of 1814
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Negative: 4 out of 1814
1814
music
reviews
- By Date
- By Critic Score
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- Critic Score
Many [of the demos] prove that producer Gus Dudgeon knew how to tweak the material, which had a tendency to get long-winded. ... Eight live selections from London’s Royal Festival Hall, recorded around the album’s release, confirm how tough John’s four-piece was. ... These songs still sound terrific, reminding us just how vital and prolific an artist Elton John was in his prime.- American Songwriter
- Posted Apr 4, 2023
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Few songs immediately jump out but when the album is over, you’ll want to hit the repeat button. That’s what any band hopes for and what The Nude Party delivers on the subtly irrepressible Rides On.- American Songwriter
- Posted Apr 4, 2023
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It’s the continuation of a fabled legacy and one that has not only stood the test of time but remains vibrant and invigorating all these decades on. Clearly, The Zombies are still in the game and still playing for keeps.- American Songwriter
- Posted Mar 30, 2023
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Mostly though, Celebrants comes across as a bold new venture, one that’s unrestrained in terms of melody, motif, and obvious enthusiasm.- American Songwriter
- Posted Mar 24, 2023
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All in all, it’s a sumptuous box set and one that’s mined with obvious depth and devotion.- American Songwriter
- Posted Mar 16, 2023
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- Critic Score
Nothing breaks four minutes with each selection displaying not just catchy, crisp hooks but production (by him) that captures these songs with a sneaky sheen and rather slick polish. He is most convincing though when the music shifts towards a tougher gospel/swamp vibe as on the self-referential “Take a Long Hard Look.”- American Songwriter
- Posted Mar 14, 2023
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Ultimately, A Colossal Waste of Light takes Eyelids several steps further in terms of heft and gravitas, sharing the sense that they need not rely on hype or headlines to garner the attention they so decidedly deserve at this juncture.- American Songwriter
- Posted Mar 10, 2023
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- American Songwriter
- Posted Mar 1, 2023
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The Vivian Line is unlikely to land on anyone’s hip/hot list. Rather Sexsmith, now pushing 60, is content to churn out radiant, sublime, transcendent music that unobtrusively exists in its own delicate bubble, inviting us in to join him on his unique musical path.- American Songwriter
- Posted Feb 23, 2023
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Over the course of 23 tracks—a mix of archival classics, recent entries, and a couple of covers—the band struts their stuff with the usual flair and panache.- American Songwriter
- Posted Feb 13, 2023
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The frenzied sound of “Brain Capers” implies certain complications just as “Fallout” seems intent on driving through whatever haze continues to confound us. There’s very little here that’s as clear-cut as the overall messaging might imply. Nevertheless, it’s clear that This Stupid World still manages to impart wisdom and reflection in equal and apt measures.- American Songwriter
- Posted Feb 10, 2023
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The Fragments box set offers enough weight and return to justify its weighty price tag. The remastered version of the original album is simply stunning, bringing clarity to the source material that wasn’t as evident before. So too, while repeated versions of certain songs may sometimes seem redundant, they are well in keeping with any Dylan devotee’s desire to peer well below the surface while gathering clues as to the germination of Dylan’s genius.- American Songwriter
- Posted Feb 8, 2023
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The 14 tracks clocking in at 50 minutes speak to War’s prolific nature, one that encompasses her diversity yet remains focused on vocal, lyrical, and melodic talents that this disc’s enhanced production, and budget, spotlight.- American Songwriter
- Posted Feb 6, 2023
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Listening in one sitting can get tedious since few tempos rise above a muted whisper. Individually the songs play like scenes from that indie movie. Curious, stimulating, and worthy of pondering … if you’re in the mood.- American Songwriter
- Posted Jan 27, 2023
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He's no less daring than before. Marked by a series of ominous atmospheric soundscapes, the album finds Cale seemingly beckoning whatever spirits surround him with a dire yet distinctive vocal that casts a spell on the effort overall.- American Songwriter
- Posted Jan 26, 2023
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Like the previous set, this is another batch of slightly skewed but affectionately crafted R&B, heavily tinged by mid-’70s affectations with some blues touches. ... Most impressive though is how soulful a vocalist Dan Auerbach is.- American Songwriter
- Posted Jan 26, 2023
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With 17 mostly terrific songs (three sung in Italian), only one breaking the four-minute mark, the collection has the jittery intensity of a lion pacing before feeding time. ... Perhaps we could have done without the closing power ballad “The Loneliest,” but that’s the only misstep on an album that should thrust this band into worldwide superstar status.- American Songwriter
- Posted Jan 23, 2023
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Lead track “Mile Marker 29” gets things off to a rousing start courtesy of the song’s riveting refrain. The tangled tapestry of “All Your Friends Are Dying” doesn’t offer the most promising premise, but it’s intriguing nevertheless. Still, when the band slows the tempo and recasts the proceedings with some mellower melodies, the album truly hints at greater glories.- American Songwriter
- Posted Jan 23, 2023
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Price breaks down any barriers left around her on this record to great appeal. In just 10 songs, she manages to tell a lifetime of stories that are captivating from start to finish.- American Songwriter
- Posted Jan 13, 2023
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Every Loser is commanding, powerful, and above all fun, proving that Pop has plenty of gas left in his aging tank.- American Songwriter
- Posted Jan 4, 2023
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Ultimately then, See You in the Stars is as footloose and fanciful as its handle suggests. When Broudie indulges his instincts, the possibilities can become sky-high.- American Songwriter
- Posted Dec 8, 2022
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Jude is Lennon’s singular statement, his purposeful pronouncement, his pivotal turn as far as coming into his own with music that bears a grander scope.- American Songwriter
- Posted Dec 7, 2022
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This wasn’t a tremendously fertile period for the group. Yet based on the animated gig and some inspired moments, they still sounded vital, and capable of writing impressive new music, albeit inconsistently and largely without Brian’s input.- American Songwriter
- Posted Dec 5, 2022
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All are already available on one of the many existing Hendrix live discs although as usual, the performances are substantially different since Hendrix seldom played anything the same way twice. ... One of the last recordings with the original threesome. Despite reported tensions within the group, they tear it up.- American Songwriter
- Posted Nov 23, 2022
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It’s a decidedly evocative album, one that ought to give hope and comfort to all those that may feel adrift in uncertainty and sadness while confirming the fact that they’re not alone. In that regard, it provides a shared service to us all.- American Songwriter
- Posted Nov 16, 2022
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There are enough moments when everything clicks to make this a pleasant, intermittently compelling listen. But it’s hard to shake the nagging feeling that it could have been much better with a starker instrumental edge and less processing.- American Songwriter
- Posted Nov 16, 2022
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his is as organic, honest, and powerful as soul gets. Between Roth’s guidance and Lee Fields’ riveting performance, this is a contemporary/retro-tinged classic, one that any lover of the genre will find timeless and inspirational.- American Songwriter
- Posted Nov 3, 2022
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Granted, En Är För Mycket och Tusen Aldrig Nog isn’t the kind of album that aims for accessibility. Nor is it a set of songs that will invite the unsuspecting to simply hum along. However, for those that are up for a more adventurous interlude, it’s nothing less than an intriguing endeavor all around.- American Songwriter
- Posted Nov 1, 2022
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While not every song is covered, but enough of the creative process is revealed to make this a revelatory encounter.- American Songwriter
- Posted Oct 27, 2022
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Granted, they haven’t hit the heights they climbed courtesy of such early mega milestones as Don’t You (Forget About Me),” “Glittering Prize,” “Somewhere in Summertime,” “Waterfront,” and “Alive and Kicking.” No matter, Kerr, Burchill and their newer recruits still manage to stay true to the band’s overarched intents, but do so based on premise rather than pretense.- American Songwriter
- Posted Oct 24, 2022
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