If The Ocean Gets Rough
by Willy Mason
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. Urb
    60
    The problem is that all this pop-happy acoustic strumming lacks the awkward warble of Bright Eyes or the destructive heartbreak of Elliott Smith's music. [Mar 2007, p.101]
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  2. Spin
    60
    His slumbery Jonathan Richman-meets-Beck vocals make every song a potential slacker lullaby. [Mar 2007, p.97]
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  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    60
    If only because feeling sad isn't as good as feeling happy, this isn't as enjoyable as before.
  5. cokemachineglow
    58
    Without making the new sound genuinely old or the old sound refreshingly new, Mason waffles in the flux between.
  6. Filter
    56
    The traditional folk-rock methods begin to falter as the album wears on, leaving Mason's stirring tales of troubles and joys feeling rather one-dimensional. [#24, p.98]
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  7. Under The Radar
    50
    A safe, professional record that... just doesn't sound authentic in any way. [#16, p.93]
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  8. PopMatters
    50
    The rough edges that made his first album endearing have been rubbed off and replaced with a handsome but generic finish.
  9. The Guardian
    40
    On his debut album... Mason's dour tendencies were neatly offset by his ramshackle musicianship, but here the rambunctious clatter gives way to a sound more smooth, adult and portentous
  10. Playlouder
    40
    Such is the reliance on his voice to provide resonance both melodically and lyrically, there isn't a great deal else to fall back on should the listener find it objectionable.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. erlingo
    May 13, 2007
    9
    i love this kind of amrericana, this voice of a young man. Buy it.
  2. LukeM
    May 11, 2007
    9
    Willy Mason is the real deal. Touring around America in his van and sleeping in other peoples' houses gives this album a sense of Willy Mason is the real deal. Touring around America in his van and sleeping in other peoples' houses gives this album a sense of authenticity. Tracks like "Save Myself" and "When The Leaves Have Fallen" have the wisdom of a Johnny Cash reincarnate.… Full Review »
  3. LeighH
    Mar 30, 2007
    10
    This lyrical genius is the Bob Dylan of our generation. Riptide is a soothing melody of his hometown friends.
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