All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

All Music Guide

Here, Jones ties up loose ends, unafraid to sound smooth or sultry, letting in just enough dissonance and discord to give this dimension, creating a subtle but rather extraordinary low-key record that functions as a piece of mood music but lingers longer, thanks to its finely crafted songs.

Read Full Review >

Billboard.com

During the 13-song set, Jones ditches the gentle piano-playing of her previous work and rises to a new level of creative boldness.

Read Full Review >

Hot Press

Easy listening princess goes indie-goth.

Read Full Review >

The New York Times

It’s the sonic and emotional expansion her music needed, and its tied to some of her most unguarded songs.

Read Full Review >

Boston Globe

She seems liberated from the expectations of what her music is supposed to sound like, and the album is flush with fresh production ideas and a varied sonic palette.

Read Full Review >

musicOMH.com

Less predictable was her now clear desire to take risks and step off the all-too-well-forged path of safe, agreeable background music. Instead, on The Fall Norah Jones chooses to defy categorization.

Read Full Review >

Uncut

The emotional imprint of The Fall moves beyond the pining, wistful tones that are her trademark in favour of Sex And The City scenarios bursting with heartbreak, regret and emotional devastation.

Read Full Review >

Q Magazine

The Fall contains more than a few copper-bottomed classics: the languid and steamy I Wouldn't Need You, the Ryan Adams co-write Light As A Feather, and Chasing Pirates, a near-perfect two-and-half minute study of the racing thoughts that get in the way of sleep. [Dec 2009, p. 114]

Paste Magazine

On The Fall, Jones is clearly comfortable with where she’s arrived, and is ready to throw open the doors for a party.

Read Full Review >

The Onion (A.V. Club)

The Fall is a concept album with a punchline, with most of the songs detailing the push and pull of a faltering relationship.

Read Full Review >

Rolling Stone

The result is avant-roots music that rocks, albeit gently.

Read Full Review >

Spin

The Fall has been billed as Norah Jones' rock album. In fact, it's something even more surprising: a hot-blooded soul record from the queen of the even keel.

Read Full Review >

Entertainment Weekly

She's also got a voice that seems made to jump genres: supple, mellifluous, effortlessly sexy. But even when Jones lets it rip, so to speak, as on The Fall's moderately rollicking saloon stomper 'It's Gonna Be,' she remains, at heart, a girl gone mild.

Read Full Review >

Austin Chronicle

The Fall offers many new sides to Jones while remaining comfortably close to the jazz diva many adore.

Read Full Review >

Filter

But unlike Not Too Late, Jones' latest decision to ditch her keys for strings is a poor one. In a way, she had indeed found a different beat to groove to, and if anyone can play in a piano bar without a piano, it would certainly be Norah Jones. [Holiday 2009, p. 91]

Chicago Tribune

The Fall is ultimately a mildly more adventurous art-pop take on her piano-based cabaret style.

Read Full Review >

Dot Music

If the hardcore fanbase feel a blanch coming on, this isn't all wilful eclecticism gone mad. King's work is The Fall's unifying factor that keeps it cohesive.

Read Full Review >

The Guardian

Jones's cashmere voice sounds more polite than ever, creating an overriding impression of a nice girl keeping dirty company.

Read Full Review >

Slant Magazine

Following "Not Too Late," a more nakedly ambitious effort, and her terrific side project with the Little Willies, it's disappointing that The Fall aims for growth but feels so reigned in and restrained.

Read Full Review >

Mojo

The wrong kind of sonic adventure undermines about half the songs. A drop of Waitsian, drunken, junkyard percussion might have been just the ticket, but the plethora of drony guitar and keyboard distortions proves distracting, rather than "atmospheric", and impairs the effect of some strong songs including Back To Manhattan and Stuck. [Dec 2009, p. 88]

PopMatters

Not Too Late was produced in a home studio and introduced a rawness into her sound that hadn’t been present before, and while it possessed its share of sleepy moments, it still topped the polished and scrubbed tunes that were omnipresent seven years ago when she first captured million of listeners across the world.

Read Full Review >

Under The Radar

It's intelligent, tasteful, and well-executed music. But it ain't rock 'n' roll, not even a little and damn Jones for trying to pretend that it is. [Holiday 2009, p.78]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 7.7 (out of 10) based on 17 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Jason S gave it a4:
This Cd is not what I hoped it would be change can be good but not in this case.

Paul K gave it a5:
Could this album be any more benign musically? Jones' lyrics may be conceptual and probing, but the music of this album is destined for elevators and dental offices worldwide. Very disappointing.

john w gave it a9:
My favorite Norah album since Come Away With Me every song is unique and keeps my attention...glad she still can make intersting music unlike alot of artist who usually fade by their 4th album!

hannah w gave it a9:
Great grooves, varied tones gives the voice new background texture on which to lay down a slightly rougher, sexier, yet still subtle and commanding sound. Norah is in full command here, doing what she wants - growing, changing, evolving herself and her music without regard for the critics who want her in a box or want who want her to ignore the strengths that made her appealing in the first place. Always herself first, it's refreshing to see that Norah Jones isn't beholden to her brand or her hype.

Music

Upcoming &Recent Releases

The Fall

Album Info

Summary

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

Upcoming &
Recent Releases