A Boot And A Shoe
by Sam Phillips
  • Record Label: Nonesuch
  • Release Date: Apr 27, 2004
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. AllMusic
    90
    What sounded austere on Fan Dance sounds simple on A Boot and a Shoe, and it's the differing inferences of those two adjectives that makes all the difference.
  2. Delusions of Adequacy
    90
    The great beauty of the record, though, is how repeated listenings peel back once-unheard layers, how Phillips’ voice develops a deeper resonance with each spin, and how the deceptive simplicity of the recording gradually fades to reveal carefully scripted movements and moments.
  3. Los Angeles Times
    88
    With deft, powerful strokes, the singer-songwriter chisels emotions, impressions, yearnings and regrets, giving these 13 songs exactly as much room as they need and no more.
  5. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Phillips flirts with Depression-era stylings and pre-World War II cabaret to brilliantly convey a chaotic world of subdued rage. [7 May 2004, p.86]
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  6. Billboard
    80
    A disc of graceful beauty.
  7. Q Magazine
    80
    Small, perfectly formed and wonderfully refreshing. [Jun 2004, p.105]
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  8. The New York Times
    70
    There are hints of blues and gospel, but most of the songs could come from a rustic cabaret that is worried about waking the neighbors.
  9. Uncut
    70
    Understated and underestimated. [Nov 2004, p.113]
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  10. Mojo
    70
    The longer the album runs the more engaging the songs seem to become. [May 2004, p.104]
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Awards & Rankings

46
#46 Best Album of 2004

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. CareyC
    Jun 18, 2006
    10
    Sam's best album, each listen reveals something new and unexpected.
  2. Peewee
    Apr 18, 2005
    10
    A masterpiece. One of the most underrated artists in American music, and this is her best album. Probably my favourite album of 2004.
  3. SneedyM
    Apr 10, 2005
    10
    A bit brighter and playful than her previous release, it's no less profound and if anything just a bit better than "Fan Dance" based on A bit brighter and playful than her previous release, it's no less profound and if anything just a bit better than "Fan Dance" based on the quality of the songwriting. Husband T-Bone Burnett has produced every one of Sam's Records since 1988, and the success of each release is due in part to his general vision, but Sam's creative input is still the reason I look for every record she puts out. Because of the overloaded bass on "All Night", I would recommend listeners use that song as a guide to program their stereos to get the most "effective" settings for listening to the album ("All Night" will actually sound like something on a 50's transistor radio), which in turn is the polar opposite of how the "Fan Dance" record should sound.… Full Review »
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