* House of Pain biography by Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave it four stars out of five, and said that it saw the band " strip back their music to the basics " and was their " strongest and most vicious record to date.

Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine described Vaughan as " the leading light in American blues " and developed " a uniquely eclectic and fiery style that sounded like no other guitarist, regardless of genre ".

" In its review of True Blue, Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine said that " she is using the music to hook in critics just as she's baiting a mass audience with such masterstrokes as ' Papa Don't Preach '.

Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine rated Ball three out of five stars.

Stephen Thomas Erlewine and Heather Phares wrote in Allmusic's biography of Pavement that, with Demolition Plot J-7, Pavement " had begun to forge influences into its own signature sound.

A retrospective review by Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine was still mixed.

Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine described him as " the catchiest, smartest professional mainstream pop songwriter of the early 2000s.

Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave the album a five out of five rating, writing that " it serves as a reminder of the sheer brilliance of the music within this peerless show.

Referred to as a " stoner rap " by Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine, the lyrics are mostly surrealistic and nonsensical.

In his review of the reissued album, Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that " the thought of a group of Insane Clown Posse protégés isn't exactly inspiring ", the album " may take you by surprise ... Mostasteless actually works better than most ICP records ," that " Twiztid often is more convincing than Dark Carnival colleagues ," and concluded that " if you don't buy into the whole comic book-horror schtick, Mostasteless ... will be irritating, but if you've bought into it, you'll enjoy this record as much, if not more, than most ICP albums.

Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave it four and a half stars out of five, and said that it " delivers a set of similar rockers and a handful of power ballads, including a revamped version of Harry Chapin's ' Cats in the Cradle '" and described the music as a " mixture of fizzy, fuzzy riffs, sing-song melodies, and calculated obnoxiousness isn't that offensive.

Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine was not impressed by INXS " playing a competent but unremarkable variation on droning new wave synth pop " but noted that Hutchence " exuded a powerful vocal charisma ".

Writing for Billboard, Michael Paoletta chose " Through the Rain " as a top pick from the album, as did Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine.

Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine rated Heavy three-and-a-half out of five stars.

" Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine says " it doesn ’ t just ride the coattails of VU ’ s legacy but deliberately co-opts their achievement -- but it ’ s listenable, something its

Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine rated Pretties for You three-and-a-half out of five stars.

Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine estimated that Cantrell was a reluctant solo artist who would prefer his work to be published through Alice in Chains.

Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine called it a " nervy breakup tune.

" Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine described the song as " a vivid portrait of a seaside vacation where Difford's vignettes are made all the more vivid by Tilbrook's bright, invigorating pop.

* Allmusic's Greg Prato gave the album 3. 5 stars ( of 5 ), saying they " had improved their songwriting and strengthened their focus and musical approach.

Allmusic's William Ruhlmann gave Worship and Tribute a positive review, noting " Cosmopolitan Bloodloss " an AMG Track Pick.

The album received negative reviews upon its release .< ref name =" PM "> Allmusic's Eduardo Rivadavia gave the album one and a half out of five stars and wrote that the album has " gone down as one of heavy metal's all-time greatest disappointments ".

In Allmusic's retrospective review of the album, the website gave it five stars out of five, calling it a " shambling wreck of an album " while at the same time " among the most harrowing experiences in pop music ; impassioned, erratic, and stark " and " the slow, sinking sound of a band falling apart ".

Allmusic's François Couture gave the album's 1984 remix 3 out of 5 stars.

Allmusic's retrospective review gave the nod to the band's mix of progressive rock and boogie rock as being unique, but contended that it also makes them less interesting than other progressive rock bands.

Allmusic's employee Ned Raggett gave the album a two and a half star rating, noting that " Live Undead isn't really necessary except for the hardest of hardcore fans in the end, especially in comparison to Decade of Aggression ," and saying that " Evil Has No Boundaries " was the best performance of the seven songs.

Allmusic's Alex Henderson gave it three stars out of five, and said that " the band's sound hadn't changed much, and time hadn't made its sledgehammer approach any less appealing.

" Allmusic's Robert L. Doerschuk gave a somewhat positive review but emphasized the band's retro influences, stating, " A guest shot by Korn vocalist Jonathan Davis on " The Key to Gramercy Park " reminds listeners of the band's currency, but it's easy to mistake Commencement for an ' 80s artifact.

Allmusic's Steven McDonald was mostly positive towards the album, rating it three stars out of five and stating that " while not perfect, the album makes a nice alternative compilation ", noting that it shares the television series ' " blue-light glow of twisted mystery ".

Allmusic's William Ruhlmann sums up the album as balanced, and notes that the three hit singles were penned by Frey and Henley who would later go on to dominate the band.

Allmusic's Joe Viglione rated Easy Action three out of five stars.

Allmusic's Greg Prato awarded the album four and a half out of five stars and called it " one of Cooper's very best ; it remains one of rock's all-time, quintessential classics.

Allmusic's Jose Promis rated the album four-and-a-half out of five stars.

Allmusic's Paul Collins rated Vanilla Fudge four out of five stars.

Allmusic's Corey Apar rated both versions of Keasbey Nights four out of five stars.

" Allmusic's Greg Prato rated Love It to Death four-and-a-half out of five stars.

Allmusic's Alex Henderson awards the album four-and-a-half stars out of five, and claims that Testament " delivered its best offering ever " and describes it as " every bit as brutally forceful as The Legacy.

Allmusic's Greg Prato rated " Killer " four-and-a-half out of five stars.

Allmusic's Jason Anderson awards four-and-a-half stars out of five, and called it a " classic by the group's fans " and that it " is often mentioned as the pinnacle of the East Coast thrashers ' recording career.

Allmusic's Steve Huey said that it " brought back some of the pounding speed of Reign in Blood for their third major-label album ", and addressed it to be " their most accessible album, displaying the full range of their abilities all in one place, with sharp, clean production ".

Allmusic's Bruce Eder praised the album, saying that it was better produced than their debut, but he also said that it " doesn't tread enough new ground to precisely rival In the Court of the Crimson King ".

Allmusic's William Ruhlmann was less favourable and said " was familiar folk-rock, with Kelly singing romantic lyrics over acoustic and electric guitars and a rhythm section.

Allmusic's Richie Unterberger critiqued what he referred to as the " growing tendency to deploy the smutty, cheap humor that would soon dominate much of Zappa's work ", but said that " Those who like his late -' 60s / early -' 70s work [...] will probably like this fine ".

Allmusic's Heather Phares praised Cibo Matto as " Fresh and funky ", and said of the album, " Viva!

Allmusic's Ed Nimmervoll said that the band distanced themselves from the boy band generation, comparing them to Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young.

Allmusic's Andy Kellman said it was " a daring way to introduce himself to the masses as an MC " and it " couldn't have forged his dual status as underdog and champion any better.