Uptown Special
by Mark Ronson
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Jan 13, 2015
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
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  1. Uncut
    Feb 3, 2015
    60
    Novelist Michael Chabon's lyrics fail to illuminate the theme, while the music settles for tasteful reverence. [Mar 2015, p.81]
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  2. Pitchfork
    Jan 21, 2015
    60
    Too top-heavy to sustain its momentum, yet too fleeting for its thematic framework to cohere, Uptown Special is that rare beast: a concept album that actually could use more fat.
  3. The Observer (UK)
    Jan 20, 2015
    60
    The more you play it, though, the more this deranged ensemble piece holds together. And the more you respect Ronson--no individual genius, perhaps, but a tunesmith/conductor of breadth and depth.
  5. Spin
    Jan 14, 2015
    60
    As is, Uptown Special plays a little like a Spotify playlist on random--fun, and unexpectedly thrilling at times, but jarring and never totally satisfying.
  6. New York Daily News (Jim Faber)
    Jan 12, 2015
    60
    “Uptown Funk” turns out to be one of the only lazy tracks on Ronson’s fourth album. Yes, the other songs obsess on the past, but most enliven it. Better, some revive a quirk of history others overlooked.
  7. The Independent (UK)
    Jan 12, 2015
    60
    An album of fresh pleasures is the pay-off, but don’t come looking to it for substance.
  8. Consequence
    Jan 30, 2015
    58
    When it comes to Uptown Special, Ronson put so much effort into polishing the crown jewel that he let the rest of the album tarnish.
  9. PopMatters
    Jan 23, 2015
    50
    Uptown Special isn’t quite special enough.
  10. No Ripcord
    Feb 24, 2015
    40
    Somehow, because Uptown Funk is so, so good, Uptown Special is even more disappointing.

Awards & Rankings

74
#74 Most Discussed Album of 2015

User Reviews

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User Score
6.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 85 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 55 out of 85
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 85
  3. Negative: 19 out of 85
  1. thaleslucas
    Mar 5, 2015
    9
    This is a great album that brings us back a good old R&B mixed with a little bit of Funk and Soul/Jazz. I really didn't understand why manyThis is a great album that brings us back a good old R&B mixed with a little bit of Funk and Soul/Jazz. I really didn't understand why many people hated it ... You know, sometimes we just have to feel the music and not examine whether it's a fad or not.… Full Review »
  2. xxxxxi
    Mar 2, 2015
    0
    it's the worst album ever made, uptown funk is so awful and thinking out loud by ed sheeran is so much better
    i can't believe someone buy a    it's the worst album ever made, uptown funk is so awful and thinking out loud by ed sheeran is so much better
    i can't believe someone buy a **** like this    … Full Review »
  3. BrandonTrotter
    Jan 17, 2015
    7
    Mark Ronson is still a great producer it's just that all these songs lyrically are not that great but the production is strong and that isMark Ronson is still a great producer it's just that all these songs lyrically are not that great but the production is strong and that is what I like about Ronson and it did not have that well known features which I like.… Full Review »
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