Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates
by Kenny Chesney
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Sep 11, 2007
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. AllMusic
    60
    Just Who I Am just manages from sinking into adult contemporary murk, even if it's hard to shake the feeling that Chesney is spending too much time acting how his audience expects him to be instead of just being who he is.
  2. Billboard
    80
    Chesney gets better with age. There are radio hits here: 'Never Wanted Nothing More' has already hit No. 1 and second single 'Don't Blink' is off to a fast start, but there's depth, too.
  3. Blender
    60
    It feels like a record assembled by a focus group. [Oct 2007, p.107]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Boston Globe
    80
    The sincere, average-Joe appeal of Just Who I Am--the whole to which Chesney's various personas add up--will likely resonate with fans in the back row of the stadiums he favors, long after all of the records slide down the charts.
  6. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    While the lyrics are engaging (and, yes, emotionally honest), it's not like Chesney's fiddling around with some alt-country concept album here. The usual bulletproof, radio-friendly production remains fully intact.
  7. Hartford Courant
    60
    The current reigning male vocalist of the year for both major country music organizations sticks to that blueprint for Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates, taking no chances on a collection full of slick, predictable hooks and an easygoing manner.
  8. PopMatters
    70
    This is just a really good country music collection, with a nearly flawless first half.
  9. Rolling Stone
    60
    Getting serious doesn't really suit him, especially with tedious ballads about finding the Lord.
  10. The New York Times
    80
    Mr. Chesney’s new album, which is being released today and has one of the worst titles he has ever come up with, along with some of the best music.
  11. Los Angeles Times
    63
    Anyone still looking for a sure bet will find one in this album.
  12. The A.V. Club
    67
    In 'Dancin' For The Groceries,' a young mother misses her kids, who are at home brushing their teeth before bed while she tries to buck up and strip for a living yet again. Such sentiment is more the rule than the exception on an album that proves surprisingly haunting.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 4 out of 12
  1. RyanM.
    Apr 29, 2008
    10
    This is a great album and I really like it, even though I am only 15. And you assh*les who rate it low because you don't like country This is a great album and I really like it, even though I am only 15. And you assh*les who rate it low because you don't like country should drop f*cking dead.… Full Review »
  2. NickM.
    Dec 6, 2007
    7
    pretty good......although i do think that "wild ride" was done MUCH better by Diwght Yoakam, i do think that overall this cd was pretty good......although i do think that "wild ride" was done MUCH better by Diwght Yoakam, i do think that overall this cd was decent.......not great, but decent....certainly enjoyable… Full Review »
  3. RobinB.
    Oct 5, 2007
    10
    Just shows how diverse Kenny can be and how he's still down home and remembers where he came from. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been Just shows how diverse Kenny can be and how he's still down home and remembers where he came from. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to help write these songs. He's staying humble and real.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »