Hard Candy
by Counting Crows
  • Record Label: Geffen
  • Release Date: Jul 9, 2002
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 28 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 28
  3. Negative: 3 out of 28

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  1. PaulD.
    Aug 24, 2002
    9
    I simply can't believe the average reviews Hard Candy is getting. A masterful collection of finely crafted pop/rock, still with Adam's incredible talent for expressing straight from the heart. Arguably their best release.
  2. raVen
    Dec 7, 2003
    8
    I was somewhat surprised by how much the next song was like the last. It would be kind of annoying if they were crummy songs. But they aren't, because it's Counting Crows. A bit crumbly, but never crummy. Great lyrics as usual.
  3. JoshL
    Feb 28, 2005
    10
    This is an amazing cd! Must own for fans of theirs, and the genre.
  4. ErwinK
    Oct 10, 2002
    9
    I recently purchased both Hard Candy and Desert Life at the same time. Overall the 15 or so tracks on Hard Candy I enjoyed much more. Desert Life just sounded too washed out. Hard Candy has much of the beauty and soul of August and some gorgeous songs like Holiday in Spain and Carriage. Real sob-sob break up music.
  5. daven
    Sep 22, 2006
    8
    Their best release since August and Everything After.
  6. Chris
    Jul 22, 2002
    8
    I agree with everything Ryan says this is a fine CD and easily their best since "August and Everything After". My only complaint is they don't push themselfs harder here to create a more diverse expereince. Oh yeah and "New Frontiers" is thier worst song ever!
  7. TravisC.
    Sep 11, 2002
    10
    Duritz really hti it big this time! With the superior vocals and outreach into different sounds with insturments is just more than words can explain. Counting Crows went even further with the vocals of Sheryl Crow and Ryan Adams. This is definitely very close to August and Everything After which is far by, as everyone agrees, the best Counting Crows CD! A Big 10 for Duritz and Company!
  8. noname
    Jan 28, 2004
    7
    pretty good, but neither this album nor "this desert life" compare to "august..." and "...satellites"
  9. CraigA
    Mar 27, 2006
    9
    If you ignore the treacley sap that is 'Butterfly in Reverse', this is their best album since 'August...' I firmly believe that 'Up All Night' may be the greatest single never released.
  10. RasmusMarkP
    Dec 28, 2002
    8
    Fantastic album. The only thing I would like to have they should do is to loosen up just a bit more like when they're live or like previosly in Rain King and Hanging Around...
  11. TR3YWAY
    Nov 23, 2019
    10
    Great album, I totally recommend listening to hard candy by counting crows!!!!

Awards & Rankings

61
#61 Most Discussed Album of 2002

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. CDNow
    80
    Few bands can both rock and pine as well as Duritz and company.
    Read full review
  2. Splendid
    50
    Mid-tempo rocker follows mid-tempo rocker without any change of pace to keep things interesting.
    Read full review
  3. Launch.com
    70
    Duritz isn't the soul singer he'd like to be.
    Read full review
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