Cleopatra
by The Lumineers
User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 67 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 67
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 67
  3. Negative: 10 out of 67
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  1. wrognibene
    Apr 19, 2016
    6
    In their sophomore album, the Lumineers produced a record filled with the stories of people. There's Ophelia, a woman you know you shouldn't fall for but it's hard not to (and also a metaphor for fame). There's Cleopatra, who's seen a lot and lived a full life, but missed out on the love of her life - she also conveniently parallels the Cleopatra of the ancients. And of course, Angela,In their sophomore album, the Lumineers produced a record filled with the stories of people. There's Ophelia, a woman you know you shouldn't fall for but it's hard not to (and also a metaphor for fame). There's Cleopatra, who's seen a lot and lived a full life, but missed out on the love of her life - she also conveniently parallels the Cleopatra of the ancients. And of course, Angela, running from something to find her way home...even if home isn't a place so much as a person.

    Cleopatra, the album, has a few more good characters but unfortunately these three are really the only truly memorable ones. The Lumineers still embrace their folksy, Americana sound in the best way, but between the magic of their breakthrough album, and the forgettable middle songs, some of this record falls through the cracks. That's not to say the other songs are not good; White Lie is powerfully somber and Gun Song, despite it's name, clearly has deeper meaning. I'd be lying if I said I could even remember the titles of many other songs, however. Perhaps they'll grow on me, but for now I'll have to give Cleopatra a 6/10.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

100
#100 Most Discussed Album of 2016
87
#87 Most Shared Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Blurt Magazine
    May 31, 2016
    60
    Quieter and striking a more somber tone than their Grammy-nominated first record, it sounds as if the band went out of its way to tone down the catchiness of their initial offering. But the softer focus put the lyrics front and center and that’s, in part, what separates The Lumineers from the slew of bands that came after trying to replicate the success of “Ho Hey”.
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  2. PopMatters
    Apr 15, 2016
    60
    If the Lumineers debut record was a representation of their metaphorical college years, Cleopatra is definitely their more mature, but confused, post-grad understanding of fame.
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  3. AllMusic
    Apr 14, 2016
    60
    There's something admirable about the album's solemnity: the Lumineers are on a quest to be taken seriously, and even if they overplay their hand, the earnestness is ingratiating.
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