 Good Kid , M.A.A.D City received widespread acclaim from critics . At Metacritic , which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications , the album received an average score of 91 , based on 36 reviews . Pitchfork 's Jayson Greene felt that " the miracle of this album is how it ties straightforward rap thrills " to its " weighty material " and narrative . David Amidon of PopMatters felt that the album is simultaneously accessible and substantial , as it can appeal to both underground and mainstream hip hop listeners . Fact magazine 's Joseph Morpurgo called it an autobiographical " triumph of breadth " and a " wide @-@ ranging , far @-@ reaching success " . Sputnikmusic found its reach comparable to Kanye West 's 2010 album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy , " but with much subtler shades " . Jaeki Cho of XXL called it " one of the most cohesive bodies of work in recent rap memory " and wrote that each song is " both complexly arranged and sonically fitting , foregrounding Kendrick 's vivid lyricism and amazing control of cadence , and awarded it a " perfect XXL " rating . " Jim Carroll of The Irish Times viewed it as an important and entertaining album that is forward thinking , even though it echoes the past era of West Coast hip hop . AllMusic editor David Jeffries characterized the album as " some kind of elevated gangsta rap " and wrote of its subject matter : 
