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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    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Keys to the Kingdom
    Keys to the Kingdom is both a tribute to and a continuation of the Dickinson musical tradition.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Steel Magnolia
    On their self-titled debut album, country duo Meghan Linsey and Joshua Jones Scott deliver a sound that is familiar and cozy, as if the songs have always been there.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Come Back as Rain
    With this impressive album of wonderfully melodic music, the band joins the growing ranks of harmony-based folk-rock outfits like the Fleet Foxes and the Civil Wars.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Every Feeling on a Loop
    Every Feeling On a Loop finds Johnson offering up a series of confessional songs, all enhanced with the tones, textures and sumptuous arrangements that had been a touchstone of The Head and the Heart’s articulate tableau since the very beginning.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Arthur Buck
    The result is sometimes sublime, sometimes noisy and chaotic.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Dead Man's Town: A Tribute to Born in the U.S.A.
    Considering the hit or miss variables of other such tributes, Dead Man’s Town is remarkably focused and consistent.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Love in the Modern Age
    It’s inoffensive, unobtrusive, innocuous and difficult to hate. But it’s also hard to get excited about as these songs quietly fade into the background like the music of the generally forgotten acts of the ’80s Rouse tries to emulate.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The Game of Monogamy
    All in all, Monogamy is a bit underwhelming, but there is understated humor in Kasher's musings, and he has a flair for infectious melodies without hooks. He snaps the puzzle pieces together, whether it's a fit or not.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Born Again
    Ellis’ first full length release taps into a discreet sense of introspection rare for any recording artist, let alone a relatively new one. It’s headphone music for lonesome, solitary Sunday mornings when the self-reflection temperature is high and the vibe is low boil.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Way to Blue: The Songs of Nick Drake
    This is clearly a labor of love for Boyd and a wonderful introduction to a tragically flawed but exceptionally talented singer/songwriter.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Adiós I'm a Ghost
    These strummy rockers, highlighted by the group’s established three-part harmonies, are some of the most incisive and powerful in their catalog. Those who acquire music one track at a time need to rethink their position here since these songs weave together to form a tapestry that works as a beautifully constructed unified whole.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Settlement
    Ultimately, it’s the cheery calypso flavor and uplifting sentiments of “Better Days” that offer a hint of hope. With that in mind, this particular Settlement ought to be one that long-time fans find easy to accept.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The Roadside [EP]
    Happily, even a cursory listen affirms the fact that his snarl and swagger are still intact.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Sonic Highways
    [A] remarkable exploration of and ode to American music.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Sky Full of Holes
    Collingwood's nasal vocals–part charming limitation, part annoying affectation–can wear thin, even when sweetened by pristine guitar arrangements and perfect backing harmonies.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Critical Equation
    When Critical Equation isn’t trying too hard to solve those mysteries lyrically or complicate matters musically, it’s prime Dr. Dog. And that’s more than enough.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Baba Yaga
    Dropping a few songs would have made this stronger overall, but there is no escaping the spooky, druggy vibe created over the course of an hour’s worth of pretty yet eerie and ultimately edgy music.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Ukulele Songs
    Ukulele Songs is lovely as it breezes by, but it doesn't promise a very long shelf-life.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Gold Dust
    Produced by Amos, this lushly orchestrated set is at times equally compelling and dynamic, plus effectively demonstrates Amos' acumen as a musician, vocalist, and tunesmith (a scarce commodity these days).
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Charleston, SC 1966
    In the end, Charleston, SC 1966 doesn't break any rules or new ground, and probably wasn't meant to.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Versatile
    Versatile may ultimately be a minor addition to the Irish icon’s swollen catalog, yet it’s another example of Van Morrison’s inimitable flair as an interpreter and arranger. It’s hard to imagine spending over an hour with these 16 tunes and not coming away with an appreciative grin and an acknowledgement of the singer’s timeless talents.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Call Me Insane
    Other than the oddball horn infused Mexican polka “Tienes Cabeza de Palo” that sounds like Tom Jones taking an excursion south of the border, Call Me Insane plays to established strengths.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Hotel Last Resort
    Strange, inexplicable and uncomfortable are descriptions the Femmes’ are likely proud of. Their ageing indie audience expects nothing less and should be more than happy to check into this hotel of last resort.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Obadiah
    In the moving disc closer "Mimi Song," she asks her listener to "tell them about me when I'm gone" and to "remember me." With an alluring album such as this one, that request shouldn't be hard to do.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Night Train
    With the exception of the occasional detour into heartbreak ("I Don't Do Lonely Well") or empathy ("Black Tears"), it can feel like he's doing the same stylized smalltown-conjuring over and over, to the point of hollowness.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Dark Arc
    On Dark Arc, the craftsmanship and lyricism reveal a uniquely singular band informed by Appalachian mountain music and the explosive recklessness of punk.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Enter the Kingdom
    There’s plenty going on and most is worth hearing even if Milia’s artiness occasionally gets in his way.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Emerald Valley
    These indie rockers chug along with sufficient energy but few have memorable melodies or hooks. Tucker’s words, while well meaning, are often simplistic and preachy.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Return to Greendale
    It’s an excellent live document, and though it’s devoid of otherwise familiar material, it brings attention to an unlikely artifact that deserves renewed attention. Consider this a most remarkable return.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Welcome 2 Collegrove
    There is still a lot to like on Welcome 2 Collegrove. Wayne is still rapping like he is in his prime as an artist, as his auto-tuned, crooned flow will never get old. Add to this the ever-amusing, boisterous flows from 2 Chainz, which contrast well with Wayne’s delivery. It just feels like, at times, a sharp-minded executive producer could have done wonders for the rhythm of the track list.
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