"She's So Unusual" has sold over 16 million copies worldwide. At least until 1986, the album was the second best-selling album in Canada by a female artist during the decade, behind Whitney Houston's self titled debut album, selling more than 900,000 copies. "She's So Unusual" was voted the eleventh best album of the year in "The Village Voice"s annual Pazz & Jop critics poll for 1984. In a retrospective review for AllMusic, music critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine called the album a "giddy mix of self-confidence, effervescent popcraft, unabashed sentimentality, subversiveness, and clever humor". Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine called it "a pop classic".
Reception
She's So Unusual
She's So Unusual | Reception
"She's So Unusual" was voted the eleventh best album of the year in "The Village Voice"s annual Pazz & Jop critics poll for 1984. "She's So Unusual" peaked at number four on the "Billboard" 200 chart, due to the success of the album's first single on U.S. radio and intense display of its music video on MTV Positive reviews. "She's So Unusual" was voted the eleventh best album of the year in "The Village Voice". Stephen Thomas Erlewine called the album a "giddy mix of self-confidence, effervescent popcraft, unabashed sentimentality, subversiveness, and clever humor". Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine called it "a pop classic". "Alternative Press" said that, with "some fine tunes" and the CD reissue's three bonus tracks, the album "certainly bears another listen."
who wrote the music and lyrics to the song kinky boots
user
Cyndi Lauper
assistant
who is the singer?
user
Cyndi Lauper
assistant
whose story does the musical convey?
user
Based on the 2005 British film "Kinky Boots", the musical tells the story of Charlie Price.
assistant
when was its release?
user
2005
assistant
what was the response it received?
user
The film received mixed reviews on release, with critics decrying the "formulaic Britcom plot"
assistant
what can you tell me about the songwriter?
user
She is an American singer, songwriter, actress and activist; her career has spanned over 40 years.
assistant
when did she begin her career?
user
1978
assistant
which is her debut work?
user
"She's So Unusual"
assistant
who released the album?
user
Portrait Records
assistant
how many singles were released from the album?
user
3
assistant
what was the critical response it received?
user
"Alternative Press" said that, with "some fine tunes" and the CD reissue's three bonus tracks, the album "certainly bears another listen."
She's So Unusual | Reception
"She's So Unusual" has sold over 16 million copies worldwide. At least until 1986, the album was the second best-selling album in Canada by a female artist during the decade, behind Whitney Houston's self titled debut album, selling more than 900,000 copies. "She's So Unusual" was voted the eleventh best album of the year in "The Village Voice"s annual Pazz & Jop critics poll for 1984. In a retrospective review for AllMusic, music critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine called the album a "giddy mix of self-confidence, effervescent popcraft, unabashed sentimentality, subversiveness, and clever humor". Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine called it "a pop classic".
She's So Unusual | Reception
"She's So Unusual" peaked at number four on the "Billboard" 200 chart, due to the success of the album's first single on U.S. radio and intense display of its music video on MTV. In the weeks following, the album's sales remained stable thanks to the following four singles and Lauper's world tour and appearances on popular television and radio programs. Overall the album stayed 77 weeks on the Billboard 200. The album became one of the bestselling albums of 1984. It has since sold over 6 million copies in the United States, where it was certified six times platinum by the RIAA, which lists it as one of the Best Selling Albums of All Time.
She's So Unusual | Reception
The third single from the album was "She Bop", released on July 2, 1984. This single reached number three on the Hot 100, becoming her third consecutive top five hit, and spent a total of 18 weeks on the chart. With sales of over 1,000,000 copies, the song was certified Gold by the RIAA. The single proved to be another international success for Lauper, reaching the top ten in 8 countries. "She Bop" was controversial upon release and placed at number 15 on the PMRC's "Filthy Fifteen".
She's So Unusual | Singles
In 2002, the album was ranked number 41 on "Rolling Stone" magazine's list of "50 Essential "Women In Rock" Albums". In 2012, "Rolling Stone" magazine ranked the album #487 on its list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, calling it "razor-sharp dance pop". In 2012, Slant Magazine listed the album at #22 on its list of "Best Albums of the 1980s" saying "An absolutely peerless collection of profound pop jewels".
She's So Unusual | Accolades
Deborah Evans Price, of "Billboard" magazine had a mixed review saying that "Randy Owen's vocals never fail to infuse a song with warmth and personality." She went on to say that the song doesn't seem to be at the level of the band's previous singles.
She Ain't Your Ordinary Girl | Critical reception
In 2018, the Official Charts Company listed the song as her nineteenth biggest non-single in the United Kingdom, based on sales and streaming figures.
Unusual You | Reception
Country music writer Tom Roland noted that the song "featured a barrage of unique sounds," including a "strange drum effect" (the echo for each snare drum beat would end with a pop, instead of "decaying"). Also, the album version of the song featured a false ending (much like Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds"), whereby the song fades out before returning to full volume and then fading back out.
She and I | Critical reception
She's So Unusual is the debut studio album by American singer and songwriter Cyndi Lauper, released on October 14, 1983, by Portrait Records. The album was re-released in 2014 to commemorate its 30th anniversary, and was called "She's So Unusual: A 30th Anniversary Celebration". The re-release contains demos and remixes of previously released material, as well as new artwork. In 1978, Lauper formed the band Blue Angel. The band soon signed a recording contract with Polydor Records; however, their debut album, "Blue Angel", was a commercial failure. The band parted ways after firing their manager, who sued Lauper for $80,000 and forced her into bankruptcy.
She's So Unusual | Introduction
"She's So Unusual" and its singles earned Lauper six Grammy Award nominations, including Album of the Year and ultimately winning the awards for Best Recording Package and Best New Artist. "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" was nominated for Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, and "Time After Time" was nominated for Song of the Year. Lauper earned ten MTV Video Music Award nominations. "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" received six nominations including Video of the Year, and won for Best Female Video. "Time After Time" received three nominations and "She Bop" received one nomination.
She's So Unusual | Accolades
Reviews were very positive, considering the El's lengthy hiatus: PopMatters says: "He manages to present his album with intelligent proportions, and like a fine wine, he will only get better with time."
The Unusual | Reception
Lucy Davies of "BBC" called the song an "aggressively swinging opener" that "slams Pink's cards down on the table setting the defiant, self-deprecating tone of the album." Michael Cragg of "musicOMH" wrote that Pink was at her best when she uses her life experiences to create "smart, energetic pop songs", citing "So What" as one of them.
So What (Pink song) | Critical reception
"Paste" wrote that "the best of it captures the cool detachment and rabid experimentalism that makes Thompson a truly unique case."
Singles (Red Krayola album) | Critical reception
In his review for Allmusic, music critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave the album four out of five stars and said that it succeeds as a greatest hits collection, but felt that apart from "True Colors" and "Change of Heart", all of Lauper's best and most successful songs are already on "She's So Unusual", which he said is "a more consistent and entertaining album." Robert Christgau gave the album a "C" grade and similarly felt that Lauper's subsequent material was inferior.
Twelve Deadly Cyns...and Then Some | Critical reception
"Unusual" was sent by Atlantic Records and Songbook for urban contemporary airplay on May 17, 2011. The song debuted at number eighty-five on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart dated October 16, 2010, and went on to peak at forty-eight Upon release, "Unusual" re-entered the chart at ten and has since peaked at number seven on the R&B chart in its twenty-fourth charting week. It also debuted at #90 on the "Billboard" Hot 100 and has reached a current peak of #68.
Unusual (song) | Release and reception
"Time After Time" was the second single released from the album, and was released in April 1984. It repeated the success of the previous single and spent two consecutive weeks at number one on the Hot 100, becoming Lauper's first number one hit on the "Billboard" Hot 100 and eventually spending a total of 20 weeks on the chart and receiving Gold certification from the RIAA for 1,000,000 copies sold. Like the previous single, "Time After Time" was an international success and reached the top ten in 15 countries. The song received a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year.
She's So Unusual | Singles
Blake Boldt of Country Universe gave it a B-rating saying it was "little more than album filler", calling the production both "modest and "a bit sterile", but saying that Allan's "gravelly" vocal was of note. Allen Jacobs of Roughstock gave the song a favorable review, writing that "the big chorus with fiddle-play is the best part of the song" and "the storyline is as vast and dynamic as the state that inspired it."
She's So California | Critical reception
Andy Kellman of Allmusic said, "There's much more nuance to her voice, whether she's singing or rapping. She's tougher, more womanly." He then ended on a mixed note, "As uneven and occasionally puzzling as a 17-track pop album gets, this is nonetheless a marked improvement over the debut." "Blues & Soul" gave the album a positive review, commending the quality of the production and called it a "great deal more promise than her debut LP." "Entertainment Weekly" gave the album a B rating and said that the album is "Nothing for the ages, but pleasantly of the moment".
Unexpected (Lumidee album) | Critical reception
The other "Billboard" Hot 100 singles on "She's So Unusual" were "She Bop" (No. 3), "All Through the Night" (No. 5), written by Jules Shear, and "Money Changes Everything" (No.27).
Cyndi Lauper | 1983–1985: "She's So Unusual"
The result is a perky, poppy urban track that just about sidesteps novelty territory and is all the better for it. Welcome home m'Lady". BBC Radio 1's Chart Blog commented on both the video and the song:
So Human | Critical response
Although the album was not as commercially successful as its predecessors, it was very well received by some critics who noted on the mature and strong writing by Loeb, with Stephen Thomas Erlewine calling it "the best, most cohesive record she's made, a clean, crisp collection of well-crafted, gentle tunes that slowly, surely work into the subconscious."
The Way It Really Is | Reception
The lead single from the album was "Girls Just Want to Have Fun", released on September 6, 1983. This single achieved massive success in the United States with its music video playing in heavy rotation on several stations, and eventually peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. It received Platinum certification from the RIAA for sales of 2,000,000 copies. The single was a success internationally, reaching the top ten in 19 countries and number one in 10 countries, including; Australia, Canada, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Brazil and Norway. "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" received nominations at the 1985 Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, and won Best Female Video at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards, among several nominations.
She's So Unusual | Singles
It's the longest song on any of her albums; it's also one you wish would last forever, but can't, just like the love in the title."
No Ordinary Love | Critical reception
Tara Henley of "The Georgia Straight" noted that beneath the slickly produced, hip hop–tinged, pop veneer of tracks like "Shook (The Answer)" lies an arresting voice, magnetic charisma, and driving ambition.
Keshia Chanté (album) | Critical reception
"She's So Mean" received generally favorable reviews from music critics. Melinda Newman of HitFix was positive, calling it "an ear worm waiting to invade your brain and not let go for the rest of the year." She also complimented the production, calling it "deceptively simple, but each drumbeat, every little yelp by Rob Thomas, only makes the song more seductive." Glenn Gamboa of Newsday wrote that the song "works, picking up the pace, adding some snark and turning up the drums in the mix so they're almost dueling with Thomas' vocals." James Hunter of Rolling Stone named it "a droll look at addiction and a master class in snappiness." While reviewing the album, Steve Lapore of PopMatters was mixed, writing that the song "sounds like Matchbox Twenty are trying to teach young whippersnappers like Adam Levine a thing or two about this hit-makin’ business.
She's So Mean | Critical reception
At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average score out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 57, based on 6 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".
Thought So | Critical reception
Reception was positive, with reviewers noting the more singer-songwriter sound of his work suiting his newly gravelly vocals.
Say It Is So | Critical reception
With a domestic sales total of 40,000 copies, it widely failed to satisfy the label's commercial expectations, resulting in the termination of Schoppmann's contract with the record company only four months after its release. "Unique" was preceded by three singles, including a cover version of the Jevetta Steele classic "Calling You", "Only Uh, Uh..." and the ballad "I Still Believe".
Unique (Juliette Schoppmann album) | Introduction
Trouser Press called the album "Thunders at his best." Music critic Robert Christgau named the album one of the few import-only records from the 1970s he loved yet omitted from "" (1981).
So Alone (album) | Reception
Apart from the vocals, it also offers strong contributions from her band, including some brilliant piano from Jex Saarelaht". It was released as a 2-Track single.
Like Now (album) | Critical reception
Mike Stagno of Sputnikmusic opined that the record is "a fairly decent album, but not a great one". He felt that apart from "Set the World Afire" and "Mary Jane", the rest of the album "feels somewhat uninspired". Conversely, Adrien Begrand from MSN Music opined that the record was "somehow ignored" in the band's discography.
So Far, So Good... So What! | Critical reception
If anything, her voice is even darker, and deeper, and comparing it now to how it sounded in the 1980s makes you realise how [high-pitched and] silly she sounded back then. The attitude is still there. The feeling, likewise." However, he went on to call the album a "disappointment."
Nu! | Critical reception
The song garnered mixed reviews from music critics, who were dissatisfied with her attempt to go mainstream. "Slate"'s Mim Udovitch said that Phair sounds "bogus," while "PopMatters" called the song "sickeningly effervescent." Some critics were more complimentary towards the song, however. Chuck Klosterman, writing for "Spin", praised the song's "authenticity," while Allmusic noted that it was one of its parent album's highlights. Michael Paoletta of "Billboard" called the song "ultra-catchy" and "oh-so-buoyant".
Extraordinary (Liz Phair song) | Critical reception
"20 Y.O." received generally mixed reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating, out of 100, to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 52, based on 14 reviews, which indicates "mixed or average reviews". Andy Kellman of AllMusic gave the album a three-and-half out of five-star rating, writing that "with only a few exceptions, 20 Y.O. provides further refinements of the fun, flirtatious, midtempo songs of her past several albums. This is not a problem." "The New York Times" music critic Jon Pareles had mixed feelings, saying "Janet is as crafty and poised as ever.
20 Y.O. | Critical reception
"No song she's recorded has quite matched this single," writes Bjorke, calling it, "a mature single from a mature album by a mature artist."
What I Cannot Change | Critical reception
Club" considered the album's languid nature a detriment, saying that it "lacks the spry, buzzing energy of her debut", which causes it to be a "disappointing and muted record". Multiple critics agreed, however, that "Crippling Self-Doubt and a General Lack of Confidence" was a standout song from the album, with Kot calling it a "little pop jewel" and Zaleski referring to it as a "spiraling pop standout".
Tell Me How You Really Feel | Critical reception
"He's So Unusual" was later covered by Cyndi Lauper, in a short (45 second) version, on her Grammy Award winning album, "She's So Unusual". The sung lyrics continue in the background of the subsequent song "Yeah Yeah", while the beginning of the song plays before "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" in the song's music video.
He's So Unusual | Cyndi Lauper - "She's So Unusual"
Maybe on album No. 3 she’ll start practicing some new rhyme schemes, too." The album was listed at number 14 on "Rolling Stone"s list of the top 50 albums of 2012, saying "With less reverb-y guitar haze to hide behind, her voice comes into its own as one of indie rock's mightiest."
The Only Place | Critical reception
So Amazin' received mixed reviews from music critics. Metacritic gave the album a Metascore—a weighted average based on the impressions of a select 12 critical reviews—of 59, signifying mixed or average reviews. David Peisner of "Maxim" gave the album three out of five stars and said that Milian's "talent is real", and commended her "silky and sassy" voice. He praised Cool & Dre's "badass" production, as well as "intoxicating" lead single "Say I". Clover Hope of "Billboard" wrote that Milian tried to transform from "sweet pop sweetheart" to "peppy urban soulstress", but the album could not "pinpoint her true identity" and could "only [scratch] the surface of who she really is." Hope praised lead single, "Say I", describing it as "instantly rousing".
So Amazin' | Critical reception
2013 marked the 30th Anniversary of "She's So Unusual". To honor it and to thank her fans for its success, Lauper embarked on a World Tour called the "". A part of the show, Lauper sings the entire track listing of the record in the order it appears on the CD while telling stories about the production of the record and her life at the time she recorded it.
She's So Unusual | 30th Anniversary Tour
Huff of PopMatters praised the album, "despite a few lyrical hiccups, a couple of lackluster hooks, and some obvious influences."
So Amazin' | Critical reception
In a retrospective review for AllMusic, critic Justin Kantor wrote of the album, "the overall sound is very solid with an adept mixture of live instrumentation and synthesizers. With King's bold vocals atop them, the songs on "So Romantic" make it one of her strongest '80s albums."
So Romantic | Critical reception
"Billboard" reviewed the single favorably, calling it "an infectious concoction that boasts a lighter, fresher sound than her previous outings". They also stated that the "harmonica-accented production has a cool kind of retro feel" which "should help her sell a few more records".
No One Needs to Know | Critical reception
However, Chuck Campbell of "Go Knoxville" gave the song a negative review, describing Stefani's vocals as "a pale facsimile of Ariana Grande".
Rare (song) | Critical reception
In 1983, Sherman's song, "He's So Unusual" was chosen as the title song of Cyndi Lauper's signature album, "She's So Unusual". "She's So Unusual" catapulted Lauper to stardom with such hits as "Girls Just Want To Have Fun", "She Bop" and "Time After Time". Lauper's rendition of "He's So Unusual" was a clear homage to the original 1920s production, even going so far as to feature scratches and hisses on the track, making it sound even more like the original 78 record. "She's So Unusual" won its sole Grammy Award in the category of Best Album Package, the concept of which clearly finding foundation on the title of the Sherman's song.
Al Sherman | Posthumous achievements
Justin Kleinfeld of "CMJ New Music Report" wrote that the album was "full of risks and inventions" and that she "stepped out of Matthew Herbert's shadow, and is starting to cast a rather large one of her own". Andy Kellman of Allmusic wrote that her lyrics aren't "particularly compelling" but that her voice "falls into the dreamy productions as an instrument that adds another shade".
Likes... | Reception
The teen girl audience would appear to be the target once again, and much digital trickery has been brought into play to help Michelle sound (and look) younger. It's a great R&B pop record musically, but with songs such as "Lucky Girl" and "Hungover" it's unexpectedly shallow." "Vibe" magazine declared "Unexpected" "natural, pleasant and brutally honest, opening the eyes of those who slept on Williams' skills."
Unexpected (Michelle Williams album) | Critical reception
Matt Bjorke of Roughstock reviewed the song positively as a radio-friendly track that sheds the dated production of her debut record and embraces "the 'current; sound that Julianne Hough needed to set herself back on the path to country music stardom." He also commented that Hough turns in a "strong, able vocal performance" and positively noted the influences of co-writer Sarah Buxton.
Is That So Wrong | Reception
Dan Gennoe of Yahoo! Music UK said that the production by Cool & Dre ensured for "a cohesive whole, with a clear, unmistakable identity". He praised single "Say I", saying it "shimmies to a feisty ghetto strut and Shaft-sized orchestrals", as well as "Twisted", "Hot Boy" and "Just A Little Bit". He described "So Amazin" as "almost the perfect R&B album", only missing "a couple of killer singles". Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine wrote that while Milian claimed that she was "proudly displaying the various sides of her multifaceted personality", he felt that "only personality displayed on "So Amazin" is that of her contemporaries and predecessors".
So Amazin' | Critical reception
But Valentine's eccentricities, unlike Soderbergh's, actually improve her chances for stardom."
Chain Letter (album) | Critical reception
On October 14, 1983, Lauper released her first solo album, "She's So Unusual". The album became a worldwide hit, peaking at No. 4 in the U.S. and reaching the top five in eight other countries. The primary studio musicians were Eric Bazilian and Rob Hyman (of The Hooters), Rick Chertoff, Richard Termini and Peter Wood. Lauper became popular with teenagers and critics, in part due to her hybrid punk image, which was crafted by stylist Patrick Lucas. Lauper co-wrote four songs on "She's So Unusual", including the hits "Time After Time" and "She Bop". On the songs she did not write, Lauper sometimes changed the lyrics.
Cyndi Lauper | 1983–1985: "She's So Unusual"
"Unusual You" received positive reviews from critics. Ann Powers of the "Los Angeles Times" noted that the song stood out on "Circus" because it did not paint "Britney as mannequin, sex object, paparazzi victim and leather-clad mistress" like the other tracks on the album. Caryn Ganz of "Rolling Stone" deemed it as "melodic [and] glowing". Chris Willman of "Entertainment Weekly" named "Unusual You" as a standout track from "Circus" and added, "Spears still presents herself as fantasy object, but here might be her own fantasy — of real acceptance. Next time, Britney, flash us more of that." Chris Richards of "The Washington Post" selected it as one of the "gems" of the album, along with "Womanizer".
Unusual You | Reception
Add steel guitar and wide, open arrangements, as she does on her new album, and she turns emotional confusion into something so achingly beautiful that you don't want it to end."
I Can't Imagine (album) | Critical reception
"Sheezus" received mixed reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted mean rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 60, based on 29 reviews. In his review for "The Guardian", journalist Alexis Petridis said Allen seems timid lyrically and musically inconsistent on an album that is "far from terrible – indeed, in parts it's very sharp". "NME" magazine's Laura Snapes was more critical and derided the lyrics as egotistical, clichéd, lacking conviction, and plagued by "empty grandstanding, trying to say something about female oppression, but not knowing quite what".
Sheezus | Critical reception
1 in Anitta's career. "At the age of 22, she placed seven singles at the top of the Brazilian digital chart," he said.
Deixa Ele Sofrer | Critical reception
"The Austin Chronicle" wrote that "although a lot of "Hazel" is presented in a cut-and-paste carnival of strange narratives, short bursts of guitar/synthesizer, and bold U-turns galore, songs like 'I'm So Blasé' and 'Larking' capture the same infinite pop energy Chris Bell once reigned in." "Magnet" wrote that it possessed "a leaner, more subtle weirdness than previous records."
Hazel (album) | Critical reception
In his review for "Allmusic", William Ruhlmann called "And So: On" an album of "different moods that didn't quite hang together" and that the age of some of the songs evoked the sound of Webb's hit period rather than his recent "Words and Music". Ruhlmann continued:
And So: On | Critical reception
She also said that some other tracks of the album are pretty "danceable".
Be Someone Else | Critical reception
Pop Rescue noted that "her breathy, soulful vocals, usher in this gentle ballad, and it is a perfect showcase of her rich vocals".
So Natural (song) | Critical reception
In his review Scott Yanow of Allmusic stated "Having established her credentials as a fine acoustic pianist, she switched back to her less personal synthesizer work and contributed some rather mundane wordless vocals. The music (which includes some solos from tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker and Randy Brecker on flugelhorn) is not terrible, but it lacks a sense of adventure and sounds as if potential radio airplay was its main goal."
So Far So Close | Reception
"La question" was highly acclaimed by the French press upon its initial release. However, it sold poorly in comparison to other works by the singer, as it received little promotion in television, and failed to gain traction in radio stations and among audiences at the time. According to Radio France Internationale, the singer "appeared to be completely unperturbed by poor album sales, preferring to find an audience who respected her true self rather than millions of adoring fans who were seduced by a superficial image." In her autobiography, Hardy wrote: "This record seemed to me to be more homogeneous, with more class and sophistication than the others, and if it did not find, unlike the others, the success of the general public, I pretend to believe it reached another.
La question (album) | Reception
At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has received an average score of 68, interpreted as "generally favourable", based on 16 reviews.
The Only She Chapters | Reception
"She's So Unusual" was promoted by the Fun Tour throughout 1983 and 1984.
She's So Unusual | Introduction
At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 71 based on 23 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews". Ilana Kaplan of "The Independent" wrote, "Li's latest foray in pop is a brilliant display of growth, both personally and professionally. She once again proves that there's no such thing as boring in her music." "Consequence of Sound"s Grant Sharples said, "Although the trap-influenced style wears thin at times, "so sad so sexy" is a superb reinvention of Lykke Li." Neil Z. Yeung of AllMusic said, "Li's defeat and grief are palpable, yet she delivers with such grace and control, which offers a glimmer of hope for the fellow romantically downtrodden.
So Sad So Sexy | Critical reception
"So What?" has received a generally positive reception for numerous music critics. Several reviews have indicated that the album is a slightly different direction for the band, drifting away from traditional metalcore roots in favor of a more alternative, even electronic, sound. Writing for "Louder Sound", Stephen Hill calls the album "easily the most experimental and oddly challenging album the band have ever put together." Paul Travers of "Kerrang!" also notes the changes, saying "there are plenty of riff-heavy body-slams and fiery, politicised lyrics, but this is a shinier, more melodic, accessible and sonically polished affair than its predecessors." In his review for "Exclaim!", Max Morin calls the album a "mixed bag where some ideas work and others don't," and criticizes it for feeling "more like a transparent attempt at marketability than genuine musical vision."
So What? (While She Sleeps album) | Critical reception
Lauper went on to sing in many New York night clubs, and caught the eye of David Wolf, who became her manager and subsequently got her signed to Portrait Records. Six singles were released from the album, with "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" becoming a worldwide hit and her first song to chart on the ""Billboard" Hot 100". "Time After Time" became her first number-one hit on the chart and experienced similar success worldwide. Lauper found success with the next two singles as well, with both "She Bop" and "All Through the Night" peaking in the top five. This makes Lauper the first female singer to have four top five singles on the Hot 100 from one album.
She's So Unusual | Introduction
"Unexpected" received positive reviews. At Metacritic, which assigns a rated mean out of 100 from mainstream critics, the album received a score of 67, which indicates "generally favorable reviews". In his review for About.com, Ben Norman wrote that "with the release of Unexpected, Williams has welcomed R&B back into her arms with a modern edge, a la Rihanna and Chris Brown, infusing her soulful lyrics with party beats and dance-like synths [...] this album fits nicely into a lot of musical niches, making it a good addition to most collections. And you may be humming some of these tracks years down the line.
Unexpected (Michelle Williams album) | Critical reception
The album has been described as "arty experimentation...breezy, Cardigans-styled dream-pop with a decidedly retro-continental flair".
Strangely Beautiful | Reception
Allmusic awarded the album 4 stars stating "even this early, she was already a major jazz singer with a style of her own".
That's Him! | Reception
Critical reception was largely positive. Bernard Perusse of "Montreal Gazette" called it "simple, but gorgeous." Elliot Robinson of "So So Gay" wrote that the song represents the album as a whole, calling it "pleasingly catchy and enjoyably smooth." Caroline Sullivan of "The Guardian" was more negative, writing that "Guitars strum gently, the tempo is mid, and Dido has never sounded more listless as she wanly informs her man that their relationship can't flourish unless she's free to wander." Chuck Campbell of "Knoxville.com" praised "Dido’s knack for gorgeous melody," writing that the song is a "simple, acoustic-driven opening track, that rolls out under her deliberate restraint as she sings." Nick Levine of "BBC Music" called it "an odd soporific song." Tim Ferrar of "Recording Connection" called it "one of the most subdued tracks on the record."
No Freedom | Critical reception
This single from the forthcoming album "Time Is Money" smashed New Zealand and Australian sales figures; OMC's quirky catchiness should kick up some dust in Europe too."
How Bizarre (song) | Critical reception
At its best, however, it is a curiously unique record."
Slicker Than Your Average | Critical reception
The album was named as a longlisted nominee for the 2011 Polaris Music Prize.
20 Odd Years | Reception
Additionally, the reason for the release of the song was questioned due to the lack of Heinicke's singing abilities. Two days after the release, Heinicke prominently responded to the reproaches and the criticism, appearing surprised by the massive attention in one of her vlogs. She further emphasized that not everybody had to like the song and that everybody should judge it for themselves.
How It Is (Wap Bap …) | Critical response
That’s not necessarily a bad thing – the neo-soul approach has always suited Stone. But this is precisely what her old fans expect by now, and it’s unlikely to reel in many new ones."
Unexpected (Angie Stone album) | Critical reception
At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average score out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, "So... How's Your Girl?" received an average score of 79 out of 100 based on 13 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews". It ranked at number 5 on "Spin"s "Top 20 Albums of the Year" list.
So... How's Your Girl? | Reception
Some songs are cloaked in hissing tape, and her lyrics can be difficult to make out."
Jessica Pratt (album) | Critical reception
The album ranked number 3 among "Albums of the Year" for 1987 in the annual "NME" critics' poll, and "Girlfriend in a Coma" ranked number 11 among songs. Reviewing the album for AllMusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine said it was "a subtly shaded and skilled album, one boasting a fuller production than before ... while it doesn't match "The Queen Is Dead" or "The Smiths", it is far from embarrassing and offers a summation of the group's considerable strengths."
Strangeways, Here We Come | Critical reception
Writing for Allmusic, music critic Jeff Crooke wrote of the album "... this release, well produced by Rickie Lee Jones, is at turns humorous, haunting, and highly enjoyable."
Peculiaroso | Reception
The album was a commercial failure upon release, in part due to frontman Kevin Rowland's refusal to do publicity for the album or to release a single from it. An edited version of "This Is What She's Like" was eventually released as a single, backed with part one of "Reminiscence", but the two-month delay from the album's release to its release led to the single missing the charts entirely. Some reviewers were highly critical, with "Trouser Press" characterizing the release as "a torpid snore that denies entertainment on every level", although writing in the "Melody Maker", Colin Irwin described it as "quite the most challenging, absorbing, moving, uplifting and ultimately triumphant album of the year".
Don't Stand Me Down | Reception
Tim Finney of Pitchfork noted that the album's "big, risky strategic manoeuvre is a plush, post-coital riposte to Ciara's recent electro-pop revivalism, with many of the songs here investing in a deliberately frothy eighties sound that smears together Prince, Jam & Lewis, and the SOS Band", adding that "[t]he danger for [Amerie] is that in trying so hard to clinch this new style she leaves little room to assert her own individual qualities". Lou Thomas from BBC Music called the album "a mix of the sweat-drenched sublime and the saccharine ridiculous", while commenting that "[t]here's still a flavour of the percussive, filthy Washington DC Go-go sound that gives her music a satisfying and unique feel within the pop world, but at other times the sugar content will repulse all but those with the sweetest tune tooth."
Because I Love It | Critical reception
On Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, "A Perfect Contradiction" received an average score of 66, which indicates "generally favorable reviews", based on 10 reviews. "Digital Spy" made this comment and called the album "solid but unsurprising". Further commenting: "There's often a temptation for soul singers to turn out albums full of ballads, so kudos to Paloma for coming up with something lively and largely mid to uptempo. In fact, the Diane Warren-penned 'Only Love Can Hurt Like This' is her only truly big ballad moment; the sumptuous big band production and throaty vocal reminiscent of Dusty Springfield or Sandie Shaw." The album earned 3 stars out of 5 from "The Guardian", saying it was "consistent but formulaic: horns plus wailing vocals plus Motown feel start to grate by the end of the record.
A Perfect Contradiction | Critical reception
Authors Scott Schinder and Andy Schwartz deemed the song "the album's lone melodic ballad" that "carried an uneasy undercurrent". Author Doyle Greene considered the track "a brief and relatively sedate song closest to the psychedelic folk leanings of the first album".
Here She Comes Now | Critical reception
Mike Nied from "Idolator" wrote that "There’s something so euphoric about how she wholeheartedly embraces the feel-good vibes that is bound to speak to listeners", and that the song was "Relatable and gorgeously produced".
So Good (Dove Cameron song) | Critical reception
He continued to say that her signature "powerful and heartfelt" vocals were not present and labelled the lyrics as "extremely common" and lacking personality. Paul Leake of ClickMusic.com stated that with each single release she delivers a "quality far above the norm for an X Factor alum." He went on to praise the track, which shows off "both her talent as a pop artist and her musical influences, occasionally colliding with mixed results". However, he thought the sampling felt "more calculated than shrewd".
Here's to Everything (Ooh La La) | Critical reception
It was followed by four further singles, "Don't Give Up" (a duet with Kate Bush), "Big Time", "In Your Eyes", and "Red Rain".
So (album) | Introduction
Writing for "The Independent", Roisin O'Connor stated that the album's "15 tracks waft in as though carried by a summer breeze; Kehlani's crystalline vocals shine through arrangements of sedate beats, jazz piano motifs, and luxurious twangs of Spanish guitar." O'Connor further noted that Kehlani demonstrates her "profound emotional intelligence" on the album and he also praised the features on the record. "Pitchfork"s reviewer Stephen Kearse noted the album's production as more moody than previous releases by Kehlani, writing that it replaces "the sunny, poppy swells of "SweetSexySavage" with cloudy grooves that rock and sway rather than ascend and drop." Kearse called the record a bit diffuse at times, referring to the lack of distinct characters in Kehlani's storytelling.
It Was Good Until It Wasn't | Critical reception
The first single from the album was "Waiting Song", released in Canada. A music video was made, and can be seen on MuchMoreMusic. Sokyrka travelled to Peru to create her second video for the second single, "Sandy Eyes", which also aired on MuchMoreMusic.
Something Is Expected | Singles
Similarly, Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine, noted the track as "kind of cute." Elysa Gardner of "USA Today" gave a negative review on the song's title writing, "[That] song title may, unfortunately, prove prophetic for an artist who seems so content to merely ride the wave of the moment".
So Yesterday | Critical reception
He added: "[It's] the album's most engaging track and joins her previous LP's "Good Tradition" and "World Outside Your Window" as convincing proof of her remarkably keen pop sense." Brent Ainsworth of the "Santa Cruz Sentinel" considered the song a "lame, unsexy love song with a pitifully sophomoric melody."
We Almost Got It Together | Critical reception
Nick Catucci writing for "Entertainment Weekly" praised the use of the Joe Walsh sample. In a negative review Mike Diver of "Clash" said, "It’s so awful that it should be scratched from every physical copy of this album, immediately." "Complex" ranked the song at number 41 on their list of the best songs of 2013.
So Far... | Critical reception
Upon release, Ian Cranna of "Smash Hits" described it as an "excellent and unusual song", and praised its lyrics, but added: "Pity the pushy synthetic music doesn't really match up to the idea or the typically wonderful singing." In a review of "Raindancing", Chris Heath of "Smash Hits" highlighted the song as one of the two best songs on the album, alongside "Stay". He also described "Ordinary Girl" as "sprightly". Vincent O'Keeffe of "The Kerryman" wrote: "The idea and music work and blend in perfectly together." In a retrospective review of the album, Darren Howard of "Gay Times" felt that the song, along with "Is This Love?", "show Alison at her best".
Ordinary Girl (Alison Moyet song) | Critical reception
The album received mixed reviews. Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine rated the album four stars out of five saying it is a "mature collection of adult pop, with cool keyboards and subtle arrangements that often make the record sound like background music". However, he also noted that "Carlisle has rarely been in better voice". "Entertainment Weekly"'s Steven Mirkin gave the album C- saying that "Carlisle has neither the voice nor personality to overcome her album's cold, emotionally sterile core."
A Woman and a Man | Critical reception
Danny Eccleston from "Q" magazine said its "ambitious title" was justified by "magnificent content: 17-track best of enhanced by the hard-faced sexiness of Lenny Kravitz-aided Justify My Love (and Rescue Me)". David Browne from "Entertainment Weekly" opined that the album was "as relentless as the woman herself", and "refocuses our attention on how brilliant her records have been over the years — and gives us a peek into the obstacles she might face as her career enters the '90s". Jim Farber of the same magazine gave the album an A rating, saying: "More than a mere greatest-hits set, it's hands down the catchiest collection of '80s singles." Ross Bennett from "Mojo" called the album "truly the best of best of's" and stated: "This has to be right up there with "" as a collection of singles so deeply ingrained in the collective consciousness [...] But there is no denying the pop nous behind Ms Ciccone's first 15 years of hits, here brilliantly packaged in, gasp, chronological order".
The Immaculate Collection | Critical reception
Sal Cinquemani from "Slant Magazine" compared the song to Fiona Apple's "Extraordinary Machine" album. A reviewer from The Canadian Press viewed the song as "nouveau-feminist ditty", which "swings on finger snaps and circus-sounding organ reminiscent of the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"".
22 (Lily Allen song) | Critical reception
A mixed review by the ParentCenter Family Entertainment Guide called the album both "fun" and "predictable".
That's So Raven (soundtrack) | Critical reception
The problem is, sadly, that they can’t and don’t. They sound uncomfortable and too old to be singing about an 'uptown/downtown/anything-goes-girl'."
She's So Mean | Critical reception
The album so far has a score of 67 out of 100 from Metacritic based on "generally favorable reviews". "Filter" gave it a score of 74% and said that DiFranco "dives into a murkier, less-definable world that is part acoustic neo-soul, part spoken word and dreamier than you might imagine." "The A.V. Club" gave it a positive review and stated that it "benefits from DiFranco's emphasis on spare shimmer, though it also perpetuates her recent tendency to let her songs languidly drift along, for better and for worse." "The New York Times" also gave it a positive review and stated that "It's worth putting up with a few overbearing moments to hear someone so willing to take chances." "Billboard" likewise gave the album a positive review and said it was "Characterized by production rawness—for better (the immediacy of the performance) and worse (traces of off-key harmonies)." Other reviews were average, mixed, or negative: "Q" gave it three stars out of five and said of DiFranco, "The jazzy stylings are a mixed blessing...
Educated Guess | Critical reception
The Allmusic site awarded the album 3 stars.
Not So Dukish | Reception
The Allmusic site awarded the album 3 stars.
So Warm | Reception