American Songwriter's Scores

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For 1,819 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 50% higher than the average critic
  • 5% same as the average critic
  • 45% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 0.7 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Music review score: 74
Highest review score: 100 Rockstar
Lowest review score: 20 Dancing Backward in High Heels
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,462 out of 1819
  2. Mixed: 353 out of 1819
  3. Negative: 4 out of 1819
1819 music reviews
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    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Half Moon Light
    The Lone Bellow stands as one of the most consistent bands of the last 20 years. Across Half Moon Light, the trio ventures outside their usual musical box, alongside producer Dessner (the man behind 2015’s Then Came the Morning), to provide richer, poppier, and bolder textures. Yet it is never at the expense of their lyrical bite.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Accentuate the Positive
    Morrison and his always top-shelf musicians knock out these songs as if they’re hanging around the studio, having a party playing music they love without knowing tapes are running.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Wildwood
    On their 5th studio album, North Carolina string band Chatham County Line show no signs of ruining the good thing they've got going. Each album they've cranked out has been a keeper, and Wildwood is a grower, to say the least.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    13
    There aren’t any future gems here on the order of “Paranoid” or the immortal “Iron Man” but these songs could have been album tracks on any of the band’s early recordings.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Handwritten
    Not only is Handwritten The Gaslight Anthem's best album, but it's also one of the best albums of 2012.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Fading West
    The bulk of these songs feature clichéd lyrics and arm-waving call and response construction.... That said, there is talent and maturity in the song craft, production and playing.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    First Comes the Night
    This is another in a long line of quality Chris Isaak releases that optimizes his well-established vocal and songwriting strengths, brings a bit of retro, rootsy cool, and ends up a solid entry into an already impressive catalog.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    ...The Great Escape
    An excellent example of a sound served up on a vibrant and expressive musical palette. It bears an air of familiarity that could easily lead one to believe these songs have been lingering in the ether forever.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Concrete
    The album is a winning mix of traditional and contemporary: her arrangements are often performed with pedal steel and electric guitar, and the age-old problems of infidelity and heavy drinking are represented with modern twists.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    After the Disco
    With After The Disco--Broken Bells’ second full-length album--Mercer and Burton up the ante with a set that builds on the promise of their debut and fleshes out that aesthetic into an even stronger set of songs with loftier ambitions.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Feeling Mortal
    What might be surprising is that, in spite of the sober lyrical themes and the laid-back music, this all sounds so vibrant.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Inheritance
    With its passionate embrace of multiple genres and sheer musicianship, Inheritance places the The Last Bison on the cusp of much bigger things.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Cloak and Cipher
    As its' title suggests, this record is not what it seems at first listen, but one that's worth the extra effort to decipher all of its introverted intricacies.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Where It Hits You
    The Athens-based multi-instrumentalist is joined by an assortment of similarly rootsy musicians who help flesh out some of these generally atmospheric yet always moving pieces, many of which only reveal their subtle allures after repeated playings.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Nobody Dances in This Town
    At its most upbeat and salacious, it's a glorious thing.... At its slowest and most soulful, the band's music finds a warm inspiration in the soothing sounds of gospel.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Holy Ghost
    This is the work of a mature artist, comfortable in his skin, creating insightful, brilliantly recorded and performed reflective music he knows will never find favor on the radio.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    11 Past the Hour
    This commercial shift seems a deliberate way to attract a larger audience, sell more albums and raise her star profile. In doing so, it often, but not always, dissipates much of what made her talents so distinctive to begin with.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Cold as Weiss
    It’s another home run for Lamarr’s trio who hasn’t made a misstep yet. Get on board and bring a friend as these guys generate the fiery funk/soul/jazz heat.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Blues Deluxe, Vol. 2
    There’s no grand concept other than Bonamassa returning to the music that initially inspired him, playing it with the maturity and talent that 20 additional years brings. Whether it becomes as popular as the first volume remains to be seen, but the guitarist is best when he’s most comfortable as he is on this impressive set.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The Diving Board
    The Diving Board proves that Elton John is on the right musical path once again, sounding so energized by the familiar trappings that a career renaissance, which seemed a long shot a few years back, now seems thrillingly possible.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Earth To Dora
    With Earth to Dora, Everett adds another emotionally edgy chapter to his artistic and spiritual journey that existing fans will appreciate, even if he still does need Novocaine for the soul.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Collapse into Now
    Give Collapse a few listens. The potential is there.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    All About Tonight
    Coming in at six songs and a lean 22:30 run-time, Blake Shelton's All About Tonight is what I imagine being in the studio audience for an average sitcom would be like.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    New York Before the War
    Thankfully the somewhat imposing concept never gets in the way of moving, often raw, always organic rock and roll as Malin adds another impressive entry into his already inspiring resume.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Melt Away: A Tribute to Brian Wilson
    The pair deserve credit for an adventurous attitude and for not allowing their reverence to deter their intents. These are, after all, interpretations, and in any such circumstance, creativity counts. Granted, it’s an unorthodox tack for a tribute, but it’s one that still resonates well.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Codes and Keys
    Underneath slicker production and diminished guitar usage, are the same melodies and introspective, angsty songwriting, only this time the band may come off as occasionally happy.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Divine Providence
    Divine Providence, music that the Creator Himself may have sent, is the best, funniest, most detailed, thrilling blast of rock and roll since The Hold Steady's Boys And Girls In America.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    PHOX
    Because the sound is so jam-packed with instrumentation, and Martin’s voice so often bouncing about in the same patters, the sound can sometimes get a little muddy--a little salt to cut the sweetness would have been welcome here and there.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Melody Road
    If this underwritten, over produced debut for Capitol (after being affiliated with Columbia since 1973) is the best he can muster up in six years, it’s sad to say, it’s time to consider retirement.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Turn to Gold
    What could be a raucous mess is smartly written, well produced and arranged hard rock/power pop with slight prog and punk tendencies.
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