Critics just don't like Katy. They've had it out for her since OOTB which was miles better than TD and received a lower score.

52 is not "panned", it literally says on Metacritic that it indicates mixed reviews Plus it got a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year.

As for why people on ATRL consider it to be a good pop album when critics might generally disagree, I think that the album does a really good job at being exactly what it is. Its just a good pop album with great melodies, a good production, and relatable lyrics. It never tries to be anything that its not and it also has a really good theme that makes a lot of people feel nostalgic and reminds them of when they were a teenager. Its just an album to make you feel good but to be fair there isn't really much artistic value on the album, but thats not what the album is trying to have.

people, and critics in particular, like to elevate themselves over popular things and can be condescending to whatever is successful

i think some critics like to associate themselves with as many avant-garde projects as possible, to make themselves seem artsy and profound

ultimately they're not judging it as a pop album for commercial consumption

the album is generic. nothing new , nothing artistic. simple as that.

they don't enjoy flawless pop music. but who cares when it was one of the best pop girl eras ever and had some of the best singles of recent times?

opinions

meteoritic does not determine how good or bad an album is, like most of you think.

It's not really a good album sans what? three or four tracks.

It's user score

it's still one of the best/important albums of it's time. Metacritic won't change that.

Who cares? Critics have panned some of the most memorable works out there.

Only people in need of critics' opinions are the weak minded and personality-less bandwagoners. They have little to no impact on the music buyers and the impact they have on movie theaters goers is fading with time.

Not to mention they're biased and their rating history is so full of loopholes that it's mind nubbing.

The user´s score is pretty bad, considering how much fans contribute to it.

Because it's not a good album???????

great.

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No but it usually does tell us how much artistic effort was put into the album. You will find that most albums with a metacritic score of under say 55 don't offer any substance or originality at all

It's just a really well-produced and well-marketed pop album

It's not a masterpiece... Pop albums are very rarely masterpieces because they're so generic.