The Spirit Of Apollo
by N.A.S.A.
  • Record Label: Anti
  • Release Date: Feb 17, 2009
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 24
  3. Negative: 4 out of 24
  1. Los Angeles Times
    63
    They've gathered a dazzling roster of guest stars, including David Byrne, Chuck D, RZA, Karen O, Tom Waits, M.I.A., Kanye West and Lykke Li, but the way they've used them isn't inventive enough.
  2. musicOMH.com
    80
    The spirit of hip hop lives on in N.A.S.A. Investigate this album if you have any taste.
  3. Urb
    90
    The Spirit of Apollo is what happens when the imagination is let out of its cage. Good things happen.
  5. The Boston Phoenix
    75
    The beats are eminently funky, the rhymes tight, and the topics decidedly old-school: plain-spoken boasts, the rejection of greed, and an acknowledgment of our communal evolution indicate the overall tone.
  6. The New York Times
    80
    All those guests have a lot on their minds--the economy, the history of hip-hop, their own skills--and the N.A.S.A. team makes sure no one wears out a welcome.
  7. The A.V. Club
    83
    Naturally, Sam Spiegel (a.k.a. Squeak E. Clean, and Spike Jonze’s brother) and DJ Zegon’s attempt at album unity is flawed. The real question: Can The Spirit Of Apollo transcend its built-in Achilles’ heel? The short answer is yes, as there’s something to like on every song.
  8. Observer Music Monthly
    80
    They appear to have set out to make the world's trendiest record, and succeeded. The tracklist on their album of terrific party songs commands a kind of double double-take.
  9. Under The Radar
    70
    The Spirit Of Apollo manages to be almost as amazing as Clean and DJ Zagon's A-list wrangling abilities. [Winter 2009, p.81]
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  10. Filter
    76
    N.A.S.A. is, like its government counterpart, bloated with potential and rife with inefficiencies, resulting in a record which is more impressive fotr its guest list than its track list. [Winter 2009, p.91]
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  11. Hot Press
    80
    LA producers bond over Sao Paolo funk.
  12. Alternative Press
    90
    N.A.S.A.'s dope beats and wet-dream collaborations make Apollo an absolute must-have. [Jun 2009, p.111]
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 20
  3. Negative: 10 out of 20
  1. BIGMAN22
    Apr 14, 2016
    1
    a little overrun by too many guest appearances. most of the featured guests shouldnt be featured on the same song with each other. in additiona little overrun by too many guest appearances. most of the featured guests shouldnt be featured on the same song with each other. in addition many of them dont seem to really bring much to the track their on. the ones we know little about dont blend well together either. hard to blend many styles into one hoping the result comes out good.… Full Review »
  2. LeeH
    Mar 14, 2009
    8
    If you are not an indie rock fan that digs hip hop, pass on this one. Not for everyone but I really dig it. Good energy.
  3. GavinB
    Mar 3, 2009
    10
    A Massive album!
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