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A Boot And A Shoe
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A Boot And A Shoe Image
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 15 Ratings

  • Summary: Husband T Bone Burnett produced this latest effort for the singer-songwriter, her first in three years.

Critic Reviews

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.
  4. Q Magazine
    80
    Small, perfectly formed and wonderfully refreshing. [Jun 2004, p.105]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Billboard
    80
    A disc of graceful beauty.
  6. Mojo
    70
    The longer the album runs the more engaging the songs seem to become. [May 2004, p.104]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. 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.

See all 9 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. ChristopherC
    May 15, 2004
    10
    A gorgeous release with songs that yearn to be listened to over and over again. This is Sam at her best!
  2. CareyC
    Jun 18, 2006
    10
    Sam's best album, each listen reveals something new and unexpected.
  4. iker
    Jun 10, 2004
    10
    As much as I would like to see Sam let go and rock, the minimalism suits her well too.
  5. 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.… Expand
  6. 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.
  7. JimB
    Jun 16, 2004
    9
    While I slightly prefer the darker tones on her previous masterpiece:"Fan Dance",Sam's new album is sublime regardless-"Reflecting While I slightly prefer the darker tones on her previous masterpiece:"Fan Dance",Sam's new album is sublime regardless-"Reflecting Light" is simply one of the most beautiful songs she's ever written. I thank the stars there's an artist like Sam Phillips today still writing consistently brilliant material,having been in the(currently suffering)music-industry for as long as she has.… Collapse
  8. BenjaminBunny
    Oct 27, 2004
    9
    Her most adult, sophisticated set yet and her strongest since 1994's rockier, country-tinged "Martinis & Bikinis"...or perhaps even Her most adult, sophisticated set yet and her strongest since 1994's rockier, country-tinged "Martinis & Bikinis"...or perhaps even stronger. At first "A Boot & A Shoe" may seem slight, but its been months since this was released and these subtly nagging, understated songs get better and better with each listen. Production that at first seems spare reveals itself as considerate of the most minute sonic details--a real accomplishment for Phillips and husband/producer T Bone Burnett and overall one of the most lovely, subtly engrossing and stalwart albums of this year.… Expand

See all 9 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

46
#46 Best Album of 2004