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10.0
111979
10.0 |
The Guardian
Humour and subtly shattering insights into a new life as a parent add profundity to Callahan’s expansive album
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9.0
111999
9.0 |
No Ripcord
The instrumentation, which includes acoustic strums, a slide guitar, a touch of piano, a measure or two of French Horn, and even garden chimes, harmonizes with Callahan's delivery by adding a little punctuation to his delicately emotive phrasing
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9.0
112016
9.0 |
Exclaim
A record that is an adventurous stocktaking of his own life, set to tastefully arranged folk and an open spirit that welcomes us in
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9.0
111876
9.0 |
The Music
The six-year gap between records found fans and Callahan alike both wondering if he was busy living happily ever after. Yes and no
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9.0
111914
9.0 |
Uncut
This sprawling, beguiling collection strives to reveal all, but every answer brings more questions
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8.5
111877
8.5 |
Pitchfork
A peerless storyteller gazes deep into domestic life and offers a long, sun-warmed double album that is a highlight of his career
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8.3
111969
8.3 |
Consequence Of Sound
The Austin singer-songwriter's stories are as rich and captivating as ever
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8.0
111973
8.0 |
All Music
Unassuming yet frequently profound, Shepherd in a Sheepskin Vest is a gorgeous and much-needed return from an artist whose powers have only grown during the time he spent living his life
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8.0
111982
8.0 |
The Observer
Callahan’s gnomic half-smile and his ability to pull the rug out under certainties remain. The shepherd’s in a sheepskin waistcoat, after all – capable of betrayal.
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8.0
111994
8.0 |
musicOMH
At over an hour long, this isn’t an album to dip in and out of – it’s that rare album that you have to commit to, and let it wash over you.
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8.0
112036
8.0 |
NOW
The musical arrangements are even sparser than Callahan’s last studio album, 2013’s Dream River, yet his foghorn voice remains intimately pushed to the forefront of the mix
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8.0
112037
8.0 |
Record Collector
Appalachian-tinged country songs with a Spanish flourish (think a laconic Wille Nelson), mostly acoustic but with the odd harmonica and pedal steel to offset that trademark baritone
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8.0
112012
8.0 |
Spectrum Culture
What sort of Shepherd could coax this mad zoo?
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8.0
111874
8.0 |
Loud And Quiet
The record may lack the dazzling poetic ambition and complexity of his best work, and its monolithic intensity demands perhaps closer concentration than its content ultimately rewards, but it nonetheless remains a rather touching insight into a musician usually too opaque for true empathy, a shift in stance as welcome as it is unexpected
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8.0
111875
8.0 |
The Line Of Best Fit
Shepherd in a Sheepskin Vest isn't perfect. Its sprawl lacks the tight focus of Dream River, and a few of the tracks drift in and out of focus. Give it enough time to cohere, however, and this largely successful attempt at rebooting Callahan's songwriting soon acquires a hypnotic pull
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8.0
111915
8.0 |
Mojo
Beautiful and surprising album. Print edition only
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8.0
111928
8.0 |
The Irish Times
A record that walks earthy roads, towards the heavenly
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8.0
111939
8.0 |
NME
A long time coming, but well worth the wait, 'Shepherd In A Sheepskin Vest' is a rich and complex album, layered with beautiful explorations of birth, life and death
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8.0
111966
8.0 |
The Skinny
The seismic changes that have taken place in Bill Callahan's life over the last six years have beautifully informed his 20 song-strong return
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8.0
111913
8.0 |
Q
The cumulative emotional impact is profound. Print edition only
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7.0
111903
7.0 |
American Songwriter
At the end of the 20 tracks, you’ll feel both closer to yourself and to Bill Callahan as you drift along with his expansive, occasionally humorous, always provocative and quirky mindset
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