Billboard's Scores

  • Music
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:
1720 music reviews
    • 82 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    While much of "Blacklisted" is hyper-stylized, suited for playing against the backdrop of psychedelic sunsets that only exist in novels and movies, the album's heart remains Case's voice, as real and strong as they come.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It's hard to take the band too seriously, but the songs are debaucherous fun. [14 Jan 2006]
    • Billboard
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The folk and electronic elements are ever-present, but the chilled-out downtempo rhythms are now intertwined with chilled-out uptempo fare as if the duo has remixed itself.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Although the album doesn't knock the ball out of the park on first listen, ultimately it reveals just enough cool ideas to keep things interesting.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    A number of songs significantly pick up the pace for a change. [12 May 2007]
    • Billboard
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    A good-time, classic rock feel permeates [the album]. [11 Feb 2006]
    • Billboard
    • 69 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Rock's in a comfort zone on his first album in four years, a solid effort that makes up with work ethic and historical good will what it lacks in door-blowing moments.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    While more musically complex than previous set "Under Rug Swept," "Chaos" has less experimentation and fewer vocal intricacies.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Best-known for her flame-throwing hit "Kerosene," Miranda Lambert delivers more of the same on her new album. [5 May 2007]
    • Billboard
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    "Different Days" manages to be sleepy without being lazy and sad without being depressing.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Born Ruffians are in the business of kicking out jumpy live-band power-pop jams far more concerned with melodic zing than textural depth.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    This album showcases De La Soul's more playful side while maintaining the group's intelligent, witty lyrics.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    "Funeral" is a modest debut, but it hints at a band that sounds like its ready to make a statement over the next several years.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    [He said] wanted to take a different direction on Year of the Gentleman. However, it seems he still has a heavy--yet welcome--case of the (rhythm and) blues on the finished product.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Put [the covers] all together and you get an idea of Low's surprising range and versatility.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    An intriguing change of pace. [18 Feb 2006]
    • Billboard
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    "Security" lunges in a new experimental direction every few minutes... but never strays far from the groove, nor its compelling indignation. [10 Mar 2007]
    • Billboard
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    He stuffs "Atlantis" to the core with ambition, wicked grooves and more hooks than you might expect. [24 Feb 2007]
    • Billboard
    • 77 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    A relevant addition to System's catalog.
    • 58 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Chock-full of catchy songs.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    McCartney continues to surprise, opening this set with four of his best songs in ages. [17 Sep 2005]
    • Billboard
    • 64 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Funplex works best when the voices blend into the ass-moving momentum.
    • 53 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The title of Staind's sixth album is a bit of a misnomer, but there are a few new stylistic directions here.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    There is enough of the original DNA in the mix to make this a worthy listen for fans. [1 Oct 2005]
    • Billboard
    • 67 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The gem of this old school-flavored set is its low-key grooves that rely on thought-out storylines and not just sweet-talking jargon. [18 Feb 2006]
    • Billboard
    • 56 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Songs so intimate that they sound like singer Margo Timmins could be whispering them in your ear remain the group's hallmark, but the delivery continues to grow more sophisticated. [21 Apr 2007]
    • Billboard
    • 78 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    This is a surprisingly homogenous set of tunes, and on the whole, the album can make for a rather repetitive listen.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Although not as cohesive as Jean's "Carnival," "The Ecleftic" spins a compelling tale of a hip-hop superstar who defies convention.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Though far from groundbreaking, "Destroy Rock & Roll" spotlights an artist who has a knack for cleverly referencing music that has come before. [11 Feb 2006]
    • Billboard
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Gillespie's lyrics will never win any Nobels, but the musical excitement generated here is impossible to deny.