Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 10
  2. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. Mojo
    80
    It's a wholehearted, utopian and irrefutably exciting record. [Nov 2007, p.94]
  2. 80
    Amped to an industrial sheen by producer Youth and packed with stripped-back stadium choruses, Born Into This rips from the speakers like an irate Velvet Revolver, Billy Duffy’s relentless axe-hero riffing matched by Astbury’s typically waspish lyrics.
  3. Aside from the occasional flourish of their post-punk gothic past, most of the record is the dirtiest and heaviest hard rock they've recorded since the '80s.
  4. Astbury's voice is just as deep and earnest as it ever was and comes through like gangbusters on opener Born Into This, while Billy Duffy's guitar work is still as raw and dirty as it should be--clear indicators that the whole album doesn't give itself time for ego or pointless filler.
  5. Spin
    60
    They return to what made them one of the '80s most reliable rift-heavy outfits. [Oct 2007, p.99]
  6. With few real rockers, Born is more disappointing than it had to be.
  7. Despite always titanic levels of rock-star delusion must at some level be aware that this time they have turned in a truly half-assed piece of work.
  8. Overall, the disc’s major flaw lies within its cloudy production values.
  9. Its all-too-mechanical new album fails to meet the band's genre-melting potential.
  10. Q Magazine
    20
    A risible attempt to recapture long-vanished glories. [Nov 2007, p.137]
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 21
  2. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. SeanM
    Feb 1, 2008
    9
    Fantastic music. More melodic than the riff crunching heavy metal of Beyond Good and Evil, the album is dynamic and rocks solid.
  2. CliveL
    Jan 23, 2008
    9
    This was a complete surprise. I didn't think much of the last few Cult albums at all. This one on the other hand is a joy to listen to. This was a complete surprise. I didn't think much of the last few Cult albums at all. This one on the other hand is a joy to listen to. It Rocks!!! They are back on form. Full Review »
  3. AluizioW
    Jan 4, 2008
    9
    Great record, with great work of bass, drums and vocals. I only don't give it a 10 because Billy Duffy (usually a genius) seems very lazy.