American Songwriter's Scores

  • Music
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. Negative: 4 out of 1819
1819 music reviews
    • 57 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    A few moments almost save this from moving into the “better luck next time” pile.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Ultimately, The Future represents another plateau for a band that’s quickly earned a stellar reputation for both verve and versatility. The Future draws on those accomplishments through a timeless tapestry that offers reason to rejoice.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A superb set that ranks as one of his finest.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Taken in tandem, The Million Things That Never Happened ranks as one of Bragg’s most thoughtful efforts, no small accomplishments considering the remarkable records that came before.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    There are enough twists to keep even longtime fans on their toes. It’s what makes them so consistently intriguing and will hopefully keep the members inspired, and inspirational, for the foreseeable future.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Happily, even a cursory listen affirms the fact that his snarl and swagger are still intact.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The best moments on Faster find a reasonable niche between Fish pushing her boundaries and including enough roots music to keep earlier followers from abandoning ship.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    An album that succeeds on all fronts, both as an artistic endeavor and as an expression of conscience and clarity. With Georgia Blue, Isbell and company have made an album for the ages.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It marks a certain maturity that underscores Hiatt’s authenticity as both an artist and individual, and the strength she possesses when it comes to propelling that presence forward.
    • 91 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Taken as a whole, the Let It Be box is an essential addition to any collector’s library, a collection that documents a critical time in the final stages of the Beatles’ existence. Few albums were accompanied by such sad circumstances, but now, visited anew, the joy and jubilation are evident after all.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    All in all, it’s a record that’s flush with reassurance and decidedly sedate circumstance.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    This is, in every way, a crowning affair, one that’s destined to be considered a high point in Carlile’s ever-expansive career. It’s little wonder then that In These Silent Days consistently speaks volumes.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Admirable though the attempt may be, I’ll Be Your Mirror too often misses its mark.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Naturally, Dylan aficionados will likely view this once again as part of a holy grail, but even the casual collector may see the need to add this to their collection. Springtime In New York could be considered one of the richest seasons of all.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Ultimately, Local Valley becomes a place where melody and mystique are woven well in tandem and relentless reflection gives way to a sense of clarity and comfort. Be assured the depth of devotion is never in doubt.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    This album demands the full attention of the listener, an old-school concept; those that put the most into it will get the most out of it. Dig in. It’s worth the effort.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The fact that all the songs segue seamlessly together adds to the intrigue, while at the same time reducing the entire album to a series of hazy soundscapes that mostly come across as a bit of a blur.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    For all of his disparity, he still holds to some basic pop precepts and a style and stance that find him staying within the realms of a giddy musical motif. There’s little not to like, and those that appreciate abject originality plied from a generally left-of-center persona ought to find K Bay a mostly pleasing proposition.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Choose the edition based on your appetite for this remastered/reissued meal. In any version, these sonically refreshed songs are well worth hearing, or reacquainting yourself with, and are an integral chapter in the Beach Boys’ long, influential history.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The title says it all, giving an impression of wistful repose and a genuinely soothing serenity that’s become Villagers’ signature style. These Fever Dreams are well worth holding on to.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It’s a release you’ll want to live with for a while, and not just on Sunday mornings.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Only eight songs long, Encore builds momentum and then leaves the listener wanting for more. One can only hope that there’s a further encore for this Encore.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If artistry is the product of passion, then Wainwright has demonstrated yet again that she’s capable of channeling it better than most.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The Ballad of Dood & Juanita, is his most rugged and resilient yet. Simpson’s third release in just the past twelve months, it’s yet another example of his unfettered ambition.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The 13 tracks are crammed into less than 40 minutes (seven cuts clock in under three), which also suits the group’s single-oriented, tightly knit aesthetic. It helps make Year of the Spider such a nonstop delight, one that casts its web by expanding and transcending Shannon and the Clams’ “punk oldies” moniker.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It’s a non-stop party highlighting not just Taylor’s music but GA-20’s powerful approach. Don’t believe the disc’s tentative title though; they should have gone with the more decisive Try It, You Will Like It.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The Day The Earth Stood Still easily measures up to every one of Nile’s preceding efforts—taut, tough, and tenacious, and driven by sheer grit and gravitas, as well as passion and purpose.
    • 92 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    All Things Must Pass is a landmark set; one that sounded timeless 50 years ago and will have the same effect 50 years from now. Even, perhaps especially, those who have lived with it for decades will enjoy this appropriately classy, beautifully crafted, refreshed/remixed, and likely definitive version.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    For all the angst it musters, Electro Melodier is still a reasonably emphatic effort, one with a drive and determination that never finds cause to falter.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    There are no musical revelations but recreating the groove of the terrific In Yo’ Face! The History of Funk series of sadly out of print compilations from Rhino is harder than it sounds.