American Standard
by James Taylor
  • Record Label: Fantasy
  • Release Date: Feb 28, 2020
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
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  1. The Independent (UK)
    Feb 27, 2020
    80
    Expect reassurance rather than revelation and you’ll find the lesser-worn pages of the American songbook elegantly traced.
  2. AllMusic
    Feb 27, 2020
    70
    Horns and lush backing vocals do appear here and there, as does a slightly misguided dip into a borderline cartoonish vocal baritone on the otherwise strong "Ol' Man River," but the best parts of American Standard occur in the intimate moments that constitute Taylor's wheelhouse and of which there are more than enough to satisfy.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 4 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. jwolfyesj
    May 3, 2020
    9
    I guess you must be a Baby Boomer to appreciate the warmth and style of this man. As critics get younger, it's all more cerebral, absent justI guess you must be a Baby Boomer to appreciate the warmth and style of this man. As critics get younger, it's all more cerebral, absent just the human emotion evoked. I loved it, not for the arrangements, but his ability to put his signature on songs he obviously always appreciated.… Full Review »
  2. Grantram
    Apr 24, 2020
    9
    JT has yet again delivered an light-n-easy ride through the catalog of great American music. So it's not going to blow your mind -- Exactly,JT has yet again delivered an light-n-easy ride through the catalog of great American music. So it's not going to blow your mind -- Exactly, and it's not supposed to. As mentioned in the companion 'making of' video clip: Taylor plays songs in a way that makes you think he wrote them. Great. And that's why we keep listening. The critics' composite 60 score is an acknowledgment that no new ground has been broken here, so boo hoo for them; yay for the rest of us.… Full Review »
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