The Mother Stone
by Caleb Landry Jones
Metascore
63

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
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  1. Uncut
    Apr 30, 2020
    60
    The sheer depth of ideas is impressive, but the result is exhausting. [Jun 2020, p.33]
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  2. AllMusic
    Apr 30, 2020
    60
    The Mother Stone falls into a busy and confusing tangle of parts that becomes exhausting after a while.
  3. Dusted Magazine
    May 22, 2020
    50
    The Mother Stone sounds like a flowering of long gestated creativity but the over gilded lily looms heavy over the bed and smothers the delicacy of his songs. For all the admirable experimentation, the breadth of his vision and the pristine production, Jones takes his leave before an audience overawed and enervated by sensory overload.
  5. The Wire
    Apr 30, 2020
    50
    There’s a kind of manic, excessive inventiveness here, as if the song needs just one more bridge or a doubling of the refrain to sustain its ideas. Yet on closer inspection they are often internally samey. [May 2020, p.53]
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User Reviews

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User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. felleg
    Apr 19, 2021
    9
    A boundary pushing album. For a first album from an artist that was not otherwise known for their music, this is a genuinely impressive pieceA boundary pushing album. For a first album from an artist that was not otherwise known for their music, this is a genuinely impressive piece of work.

    During this entire adventure, Mr Jones does his own thing and never tries to pander to the audience. It's an exhilarating ride where the songs begin and end seemingly randomly. While this might be seem as a detriment, it also makes the record more rewarding at each listen. Being able to predict where the songs go is a deceptive puzzle.

    While it can be said that none of the tracks can be singled out as "memorable", there are definitely some moments that will stick out to you after repeated listens. For example, I can't get the "You Are So Wonderfull" chorus out of my head, but I can't remember anything else that happens in the song even after listing to it about 7 times. Every listen feels like a fresh experience. As far as I'm concerned, I could hardly wish for more.

    To Caleb, thank you for this psychedelic gem that lands at the perfect time, and I am now very much looking for more! In the meantime, I'll be scratching my head at how you're able to play all these songs live, you and your band must have the memory of an elephant (or damn good at improvising (or both?)).    … Full Review »
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