B-Side Guys

Gil Scott-Heron

Gil Scott-Heron’s albums, ranked by what the critics we trust thought of each one. 7 have a B-Side Breakdown, averaging 76 (C). See the discography in release order.

What is Gil Scott-Heron’s best album?

By the critics, it’s Winter in America (1974), with a B-Side Breakdown of 88 (B+) from 4 reviews. 100% of them liked it.

Next best: Pieces of a Man (81) and I’m New Here (79). Lowest rated: Real Eyes (67).

Gil Scott-Heron albums ranked

Best to worst by B-Side Breakdown.

  1. 1. Winter in America (1974): 88 B+
  2. 2. Pieces of a Man (1971): 81 B-
  3. 3. I’m New Here (2010): 79 C+
  4. 4. Bridges (1977): 75 C
  5. 5. Secrets (1978): 73 C
  6. 6. Reflections (1981): 68 D+
  7. 7. Real Eyes (1980): 67 D+

Gil Scott-Heron discography, in release order

The earliest here81Pieces of a Man, 1971The critics' favorite88Winter in America, 1974The latest79I’m New Here, 2010. 2 points below Pieces of a Man.

The career, by Breakdown

Every Gil Scott-Heron album with a B-Side Breakdown, in release order. Above the dashed line, most critics liked it.

5010075likedPieces of a Man (1971): 81811971Winter in America (1974): 88881974Bridges (1977): 75751977Secrets (1978): 73731978Real Eyes (1980): 67671980Reflections (1981): 68681981I’m New Here (2010): 79792010

Every Gil Scott-Heron studio album, oldest first. 4 don't have a Breakdown yet; each gets one once three critics' reviews turn up.

  1. 1971Album cover for Pieces of a Man by Gil Scott-HeronPieces of a Man81 B-
  2. 1974Album cover for Winter in America by Gil Scott-HeronWinter in America88 B+
  3. 1977Album cover for Bridges by Gil Scott-HeronBridges75 C
  4. 1978Album cover for Secrets by Gil Scott-HeronSecrets73 C
  5. 1980Album cover for Real Eyes by Gil Scott-HeronReal Eyes67 D+
  6. 19801980No Breakdown yet
  7. 1981Album cover for Reflections by Gil Scott-HeronReflections68 D+
  8. 1982Moving TargetNo Breakdown yet
  9. 1994SpiritsNo Breakdown yet
  10. 2010Album cover for I’m New Here by Gil Scott-HeronI’m New Here79 C+
  11. 2014Nothing NewNo Breakdown yet

Which critics love Gil Scott-Heron, and which don’t

Each outlet’s scores set against the other critics on the same albums. Outlets that scored at least 3 Gil Scott-Heron albums.

Warmest on Gil Scott-HeronRobert Christgau16 points above the other critics, on average, across 5 albums.Coolest on Gil Scott-HeronThe Rolling Stone Album Guide14 points below the other critics, on average, across 3 albums.Warmed up over timeEncyclopedia of Popular Music22 points below the other critics in its reviews from 2008–2014, 3 points above from 2021–2023.

Outlet by outlet

Average points above or below the other critics. Tap an outlet for its scores album by album.

Robert Christgau5 albums+16
  1. Winter in America 197478 vs 91 from 3 others −13
  2. Bridges 197785 vs 70 from 2 others +15
  3. Secrets 197888 vs 65 from 2 others +23
  4. Real Eyes 198088 vs 60 from 3 others +28
  5. Reflections 198188 vs 63 from 4 others +26

All Robert Christgau reviews

Pitchfork3 albums+8
  1. Pieces of a Man 197190 vs 80 from 6 others +10
  2. Winter in America 197493 vs 86 from 3 others +7
  3. I’m New Here 201085 vs 78 from 9 others +7

All Pitchfork reviews

The Guardian3 albums+5
  1. Pieces of a Man 1971100 vs 78 from 6 others +22
  2. Reflections 198160 vs 70 from 4 others −10
  3. I’m New Here 201080 vs 78 from 9 others +2

All The Guardian reviews

AllMusic7 albums0
  1. Pieces of a Man 197190 vs 80 from 6 others +10
  2. Winter in America 1974100 vs 84 from 3 others +16
  3. Bridges 197780 vs 73 from 2 others +8
  4. Secrets 197870 vs 74 from 2 others −4
  5. Real Eyes 198060 vs 69 from 3 others −9
  6. Reflections 198150 vs 72 from 4 others −22
  7. I’m New Here 201080 vs 78 from 9 others +2

All AllMusic reviews

Encyclopedia of Popular Music4 albums−9
  1. Pieces of a Man 197160 vs 85 from 6 others −25
  2. Secrets 197860 vs 79 from 2 others −19
  3. Real Eyes 198060 vs 69 from 3 others −9
  4. Reflections 198180 vs 65 from 4 others +16

All Encyclopedia of Popular Music reviews

The Rolling Stone Album Guide3 albums−14
  1. Bridges 197760 vs 83 from 2 others −23
  2. Real Eyes 198060 vs 69 from 3 others −9
  3. Reflections 198160 vs 70 from 4 others −10

All The Rolling Stone Album Guide reviews

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