-
8.5
40939
8.5 |
BBC
Albarn has done his research but this is no dry slice of worthy academia; the way the spirit of each style interlocks is brilliant, and he continues to pull memorable melodies out of his (Elizabethan) hat
Read Review
-
8.3
41120
8.3 |
A.V. Club
With the exquisite, hazily-focused Dr Dee, Albarn has succeeded in alchemically—if not perfectly—transforming cotton and foil into silver and gold
Read Review
-
8.0
41107
8.0 |
Rave Magazine
It sounds like a lot of ideas thrown together, but they’re pretty great ideas
Read Review
-
8.0
40989
8.0 |
The Guardian
There's some brave music, and reminders of Albarn's gift for melody
Read Review
-
8.0
40911
8.0 |
Uncut
The most compelling record that Albarn has made since Blur's 13 (1999); his first proper solo record, with all the emotional engagement that implies. Print edition only
-
8.0
40933
8.0 |
Mojo
A classy and durable listen. Print edition only
-
8.0
41073
8.0 |
The Scotsman
It adds another innovative, imaginative string to Albarn’s bow
Read Review
-
7.0
40902
7.0 |
musicOMH
There are no Gorilaz-esque pop thrills or rousing Blur-like punk rock thrashes. But what you do get with Dr Dee is a fleetingly beautiful record that is baffling and bewitching in equal measure
Read Review
-
7.0
41111
7.0 |
Drowned In Sound
If it’s not a masterwork it’s an evocative accompaniment to a summer’s day, a sporadic but persuasive reminder of how spine-tingling Albarn’s voice can be, and yet another musical genre ticked off his list with studious accomplishment and loving care
Read Review
-
7.0
41124
7.0 |
PopMatters
A towering, ambitious, and inarguably complete work that flies in the face of convention, as typically suits Albarn these days. It’s accessible in parts, immensely challenging in others, and beguiling in its entirety
Read Review
-
7.0
41156
7.0 |
Clash
Overblown yet elegant and intimate, this is a bold undertaking; arcane, abstract, absolutely remarkable
Read Review
-
6.8
43046
6.8 |
The AU Review
It’s unlikely that this will appeal to the majority of fans of Albarn's other work. It is an interesting and beautiful work albeit one with its fair share of flaws
Read Review
-
6.7
41065
6.7 |
Pitchfork
A deeply felt but difficult to love entry into Albarn's entirely singular discography
Read Review
-
6.5
41094
6.5 |
Prefix
In theory, it's an incredibly ambitious work. The overarching flaw of Dr Dee is actually from Albarn’s distinctive vocals. While incredibly malleable and multifaceted, they just don’t pair with gloomy bells and plucking violins
Read Review
-
6.0
41097
6.0 |
The Observer
The biggest draw comes in the folk-leaning songs. Beginning with "Apple Carts" and concluding with "The Dancing King" there is an Albarn solo album of sorts here, hidden among the stern runes
Read Review
-
6.0
41103
6.0 |
Spin
Blur singer does folk opera about forgotten Elizabethan scientist, gives himself all the best songs
Read Review
-
6.0
41170
6.0 |
Consequence Of Sound
A musical fog made for sipping tea while blankly gazing onto a desolate street
Read Review
-
6.0
41070
6.0 |
The Quietus
A handful of fine songs where Albarn plays to his existing strengths, but mired in a sea of over-reaching folly
Read Review
-
6.0
41035
6.0 |
Slant Magazine
Dr Dee indicates both Albarn's continuing interest in experimentation and his resolute songwriting skills, but doesn't always make for the easiest listen
Read Review
-
6.0
41042
6.0 |
The Independent
The best parts are those where Albarn blends in Eastern scales and African kora
Read Review
-
6.0
40993
6.0 |
The Irish Times
There is a deft balance of rugged folk and opera, and a decent tune or three
Read Review
-
5.0
40938
5.0 |
NME
The Blur man's solo album-cum-operatta has its moments, but in the end, isn't medieval life rubbish?
Read Review
-
5.0
41714
5.0 |
Rolling Stone
The mix of period strings, vocal choruses and West African percussion (plus Albarn's gloomy score) makes for a dense term paper
Read Review
-
4.2
41275
4.2 |
Paste Magazine
An undertaking as complicated as Dr Dee needs all the accessibility that would-be fans can get. And instead it’s nothing more than rabbit-hole music for Dr. Damon
Read Review
-
4.0
41074
4.0 |
Under The Radar
The operatic folk of Dr. Dee doesn't leave much of an impression
Read Review
-
4.0
41019
4.0 |
Evening Standard
Destined to be mocked on panel shows for years to come
Read Review
-
4.0
40904
4.0 |
The Arts Desk
Devoid of context, it’s a mish-mash of disparate parts that makes for an uncomfortable listen
Read Review
-
4.0
40905
4.0 |
The Skinny
An ambitious, flawed project, let down by its scope and vision rather than its execution
Read Review
-
4.0
40907
4.0 |
Q
Even utterly dedicated Albarn fans will be hard-pushed to play it more than twice. Print edition only
-
3.0
41558
3.0 |
Loud And Quiet
‘Dr Dee’ is almost too fractured to pass judgment on. It’s certainly too self-indulgent
Read Review
-
2.0
41078
2.0 |
Scotland on Sunday
Mogwai’s Stuart Braithwaite once asserted Blur were only fit to fertilise your garden. That was a little harsh, but this could rot your roses
Read Review
-