Scripted - Reception

Reception

The album received mostly positive reviews from the critics. The album received two four-and-a-half-star ratings from About.com and New Release Tuesday, which it got one nine-star-out-of-ten rating from Cross Rhythms. The project got three four-star ratings from CCM Magazine, Christian Music Zine and Indie Vision Music. The lowest positive ratings came in from AllMusic, The Christian Manifesto, CM Addict, Nathaniel Schexnayder of Jesus Freak Hideout, Louder Than the Music and The Phantom Tollbooth, which all gave the album a three-and-a-half-star rating out of five. The lone truly mixed review came from Michael Weaver of Jesus Freak Hideout, who gave the second staff opinion.

Kim Jones of About.com wrote that "Scripted offers fans of rock a lot of passion, completely authentic lyrics and hard-hitting music that will appeal to your inner head banger, regardless of your age. Icon For Hire has a lot to offer and their debut album satisfies while leaving you wanting more." Jamie Maxwell of Cross Rhythms praised the "sheer energy" of the guitar work, as well as the "real honesty and originality" of the lyrics, he conceded that the band "straddle that fine line of credibility between an honest, edgy statement and an embarrassing copycat act," although ultimately claiming to be "fairly satisfied that Icon For Hire manage the former, and they manage it better than the vast majority of mainstream artists, let alone those in the Christian music scene." New Release Tuesday's Kelly Sheads vowed that "Scripted does not disappoint."

Andy Argyrakis of CCM Magazine found that "there's actually many more facets to its label debut Scripted", which this is found in the instruments used such as "brooding guitars, monstrous drums, and ferocious vocals," and noted that "there's a harder overall edge, merged with and underlying pop sensibility. All the while, the group sings of shedding depression and seizing each day, which is just as vital and powerful as the accompanying sounds." Christian Music Zine's Tyler Hess said that Scripted is "full of tracks that can both rock your face off and edify you hearts." Indie Vision Music evoked how "This album does show hints of similarity with acts like Flyleaf & The Letter Black, but at the core this album genuine."

David Jeffries of AllMusic was complimentary, calling the band "intense and infectious in equal measure" and praising their "fresh attitude and sense of purpose". The Christian Manifesto's C. E'Jon Moore found that "Scripted is a strong debut that stands on its own and demands our respect", which that is because "Scripted features all the necessary pieces without feeling derivative." Grant Yoder of CM Addict surmised that "Overall this album is very good, but left me wanting more." Louder Than the Music's Jono Davies said that "The production on this album is top notch, for a band made up of three members they seem to have created a full sounding album." Matt Crosslin of The Phantom Tollbooth stated that "Regardless of influences the songs are catchy and filled with passion and energy."

Jesus Freak Hideout reviewers Nathaniel Schexnayder and Michael Weaver; despite praising the production and finding the album overall enjoyable, Schexnayder found the lyrical quality mixed ("In their attempts to be poignant, the band’s lyrics tend to go over the top") and criticized the band and album for being generic and lacking a distinct identity: "To recap, complete with puns: although Icon For Hire’s first album is well-acted with slick, catchy refrains, they never deviate from the script to truly be a genuinely remarkable production." Weaver also criticized the band's unoriginal sound, but expressed appreciation for the band's "tongue-in-cheek mentality" and optimism that "album number two will be powerful and a little more unique."

Unanimous praise was given to lead singer Ariel's vocal work: Jeffries called her "a mix of powerful and approachable that might very well be the inspiration for the band’s tongue-in-cheek name"; Maxwell noted that "what is most notable, and most commendable, about this album is the sheer force with which singer Ariel delivers her vocals"; and Schexnayder reported that her "voice runs seamlessly through the tunes without ever going overboard like her fellow label mates in The Letter Black", calling her voice "gifted" and one of the reasons to be interested in the album.