Billboard's Scores

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For 1,720 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 71% higher than the average critic
  • 2% same as the average critic
  • 27% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 1 point higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Music review score: 74
Highest review score: 100 The Boxing Mirror
Lowest review score: 10 Hefty Fine
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,457 out of 1720
  2. Mixed: 240 out of 1720
  3. Negative: 23 out of 1720
1720 music reviews
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    • 48 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Renaissance
    Renaissance finds Richie in an oh-so-contemporary setting, encompassing uptempo dance, Latin-hued and funky pop, and power ballads. It also finds him working with such hitmaking producers as Rodney Jerkins, Walter Afanasieff, and Brian Rawling and Mark Taylor. While this may sound like a farfetched concept on paper, it works surprisingly well on disc -- albeit without breaking any new ground.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Easy Tiger
    This "Tiger" is fairly tame, but that's OK. [30 Jun 2007]
    • Billboard
    • 65 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Up All Night
    The band's addictive hooks and memorable charm are far from dismissive.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Grinderman
    It may not pick up many new fans or even appeal to those beyond Cave's core audience, but these guys sound like they're having too much fun to care. [14 Apr 2007]
    • Billboard
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Autumn of the Seraphs
    Several songs near the end go on too long, content to just keep repeating riffs over and over. Still, when Autumn is on point, it offers some of Pinback's best tunes yet.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Unrest
    Much like KOC's albums, which tend to fade into the background as sonic wallpaper, the IKEA-sterile mood of "Unrest" does grow less distinctive by disc's end.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Light Of X
    While Light of X seldom soars, it certainly cruises at a pleasant altitude.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    One Of The Boys
    As expected, there's plenty of ass-kicking country on Wilson's third album, but it's her softer side that sets it apart. [19 May 2007]
    • Billboard
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Hope & Glory
    Hope & Glory"--which contains 11 covers and one original--is rich in pleasures, even if it plays more like a highlight reel than a thoroughly imagined work.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Technicolor Health
    "This will be a better year," sing the Shakes on 'Strictly Game.' If based purely on the imagination shown in this innovative album, it will be.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Our Shadows Will Remain
    His most accessible and engaging CD to date.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Maladroit
    Be forewarned: There's not much along the lines of "Island in the Sun" here.... Still, there are plenty of smart hooks and catchy vocals throughout.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Twelve
    Smith and her trusty band largely strip arrangements bare, lyrical and emotional content taking center stage. [28 Apr 2007]
    • Billboard
    • 77 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Colour The Small One
    Sia's songs are quiet, intimate and melodic. [21 Jan 2006]
    • Billboard
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    10,000 Hz Legend
    Sadly, Beck's delivery on "The Vagabond" is a tad misguided; his spoken words on "Don't Be Light" are slightly better, but one wishes that he would simply go with the flow and not try so damn hard.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Pick A Bigger Weapon
    Riley's clearly shooting to become hip-hop's answer to Billy Bragg or Steve Earle, and he's getting there. His ambitions outweigh his results, but there's very little about his "Weapon" that won't spark a response.
    • 45 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Good Morning Revival
    An album that proves being rich and famous doesn't always blunt a band's creative appetite. [31 Mar 2007]
    • Billboard
    • 69 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Damage
    JSBE fans will recognize this rechristened and evolving Blues Explosion and are very likely to enjoy it just as much.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Appeal To Reason
    There's nothing here you haven't heard before from Rise Against--or, indeed, from Bad Religion before that. But producers Bill Stevenson (of the Descendents and All) and Jason Livermore keep the music moving at a breakneck pace that gives everything the gleam of urgency anyway.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    You Are The Quarry
    At times, the misery borders on cliché, but luckily, "Quarry" sports some of Morrissey's most direct vignettes in years.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    FutureSex / LoveSounds
    Although the mix of dance beats, pounding basslines and palatable vocals is occasionally marred by mundane R&B tracks like "Until the End of Time," there are far more pop gems than slow jams.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Viva La Vida
    The rest is closer to the Coldplay we know: a competent blend of heavily orchestrated redemption songs ('Viva La Vida,' already the biggest hit of the band's career), swirly arena rock ('Lovers in Japan') and life-stinks-without-you ballads ('Strawberry Swing')likely to resonate despite the new bells and whistles.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Day & Age
    The Caribbean-flavored 'I Can't Stay' and the Duran Duran-lite 'Joyride' are much more perplexing, as is the looped chanting that anchors 'This Is Your Life.' If nothing else, this band keeps fans on their toes, and they're likely to buy in for another round.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Waves Are Universal
    Each song is meticulously constructed, and feels like a musical soundtrack to lush, magical worlds.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    When The Sun Goes Down
    Chesney shows development here as a writer, and past success ensures him top-shelf material.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Walking With Thee
    Walking With Thee feels more like a transition record than a definitive statement in its own right.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Fasciinatiion
    It's complex and distorted, but at times it's not clear why the group's energy is purposely restrained.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    New Danger
    A breathtaking refresher in all things Mos Def.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Throw Down Your Arms
    [A] pleasant surprise of an album.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The Sun And The Moon
    The overall mood is a bit more pensive and solemn. [26 May 2007]
    • Billboard
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