Tracy Chapman (album) - Critical Reception

Critical Reception

Tracy Chapman was critically acclaimed from basically all music critics that reviewed it. Stephen Thomas Erlewine from Allmusic gave it an acclaimed review, awarding it five out of five stars. He praised the comparisons to Kate Bush saying "Arriving with little fanfare in the spring of 1988, Tracy Chapman's eponymous debut album became one of the key records of the Bush era, providing a touchstone for the entire PC movement while reviving the singer/songwriter tradition." He then went on to described her lyrical content as "underscored by a realized vision of trickle-down modern life", and used her single "Fast Car" as an example. He then praised her " impassioned liberal activism and emotional resonance enlivens her music, breathing life into her songs " He concluded by saying "Still, the juxtaposition of contemporary themes and classic production precisely is what makes the album distinctive -- it brings the traditions into the present." He highlighted the album as her bestest album of her whole discography.

Sputnikmusic gave it an acclaimed review by awarding it five out of five, citing "classic". They said that the album was definitely "unexpected" and said the album was "brilliant." Sputnikmusic. Tracy Chapman - Tracy Chapman (album review). | Sputnikmusic. They stated "It starts on a high and never lets that standard slip This album also started a trend of many other singers and songwriters following in her footsteps. A C.D that changed the face of music." Rolling Stone gave it a review saying "Somehow, this young folk singer caught everyone's ear in the hair-metal late Eighties."

Robert Christgau gave it a mixed review. Although he graded it B+, he said "Maybe I should be heartened and so forth that Intelligent Young People are once again pushing naive left-folkie truisms, but she's too good for such condescension--even sings like a natural. Get real, girl."