When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold
by Atmosphere
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 3 out of 15
  1. Village Voice
    30
    The piano twinkle and mere droplet of a beat on 'Like the Rest of Us' sounds like Slug doing Regina Spektor; the coos and plucks of 'Me' are Yael Naïm; the barista-strum acoustic rap of 'Guarantees' aims for Elliott Smith and ends up with Uncle Kracker; the skipping hand-clap gospel of 'Puppets' is pure Moby Playtime; and, for some reason, 'Dreamer' sounds like Michael McDonald--funkless, martial, stiff, and innocuous, perfect for an upwardly mobile 21-45 demo that seeks neither boom nor bap with their soy latte.
  2. PopMatters
    30
    When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold is almost entirely forgettable.
  3. Tiny Mix Tapes
    20
    We’re given a de trop of horrid synthesizers, only to be outdone by worse choruses and banal refrains.

Awards & Rankings

78
#78 Most Discussed Album of 2008
100
#100 Most Shared Album of 2008

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 52 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 48 out of 52
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 52
  3. Negative: 1 out of 52
  1. TimW001
    Jan 8, 2016
    9
    This is a classic from Atmosphere. Every song works so well. Great beats put together. Deep and meaningful lyrics. Great hooks on nearly everyThis is a classic from Atmosphere. Every song works so well. Great beats put together. Deep and meaningful lyrics. Great hooks on nearly every track. These are songs that tell a story. This album is a must listen.… Full Review »
  2. VincentG.
    Aug 10, 2008
    4
    Should've been called, "When Life Gives You Lemons, So Does Atmosphere". This album is weak from front to back, and, when put alongside Should've been called, "When Life Gives You Lemons, So Does Atmosphere". This album is weak from front to back, and, when put alongside anything released by the group within the last year, falls flat on its face. It's not that it's too mainstream, or that it gained exposure through MTV; rather, it's that the album is boring. The lyrics are dull, the production is weak, the songs are cookie-cutter, and, overall, lack what I love & look to Atmosphere for. Hopefully they'll put some actual effort into the next album, and leave Nate Collis & the rest of the band for the live sets.… Full Review »
  3. AndrewC.
    Jul 13, 2008
    10
    A change of pace that yields an album for a more mellow listening mood, When Life... is a real piece of work. Whether it is the new A change of pace that yields an album for a more mellow listening mood, When Life... is a real piece of work. Whether it is the new Atmosphere or just the current version, the verse is legit and the music wraps it all up in a smooth bundle.… Full Review »
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