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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.

'Sno Angel Like You
by Howe Gelb


8.3

based on 15 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 19 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album

The Listener

MUSIC:

Official Artist Site

The Giant Sand leader is backed by an eight-member gospel choir on this 14-track set.

LABEL:	Thrill Jockey
RELEASE DATE:	21 March 2006
DISCS:	1 disc
GENRE(S):	Indie, Rock

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Mojo

It's remarkable how organic and right (as opposed to gimmicky) the church voices sound on these 14 melodic folk, spare soul and various-tempo blues songs. [Apr 2006, p.98]

All Music Guide

Fans of Gelb's have to be excited about this because it's perfect, a career high.

Magnet

There's a lot to love about 'Sno Angel... Like You. [#71, p.98]

Pitchfork

With its subtly joyous tones and lustrous songwriting, 'Sno Angel Like You turns out to be a labor of love with endless rewards.

cokemachineglow

Weighty and authoritative, the gospel backings help convert Gelb’s often world-weary musings into straight-talking wisdom, the kind of stuff you want to listen to on a bad day.

The Guardian

The soulful harmonies complement Gelb's dry one-liners and restless guitar surprisingly well.

Q Magazine

Get To Leave and Paradise Here Abouts unite Gelb's notoriously scattered logic into music showcasing an immense generosity of spirit and poetic warmth. [May 2006, p.124]

Prefix Magazine

'Sno Angel Like You is not only beautifully performed and recorded, but also wonderfully written.

musicOMH.com

Gelb has produced his most focused work in ages.

Tiny Mix Tapes

While nothing wholly spectacular, 'Sno Angel is no less an exceptional effort from a charmingly earnest, yet still somewhat self-conscious, lyricist and singer.

Uncut

Feels freshly ironic and original. [Apr 2006, p.98]

Stylus Magazine

An immensely pleasing and happy album.

Under The Radar

The album is consistent in tone and spirit, never wandering far from its uncluttered ethic. [#13, p.85]

Paste Magazine

Fortunately, while the pairing produces a mawkish or awkward moment here and there, 'Sno Angel Like You ulitmately captures the unique mixture of ugliness and beauty Gelb has strived to achieve throughout his career. [Apr/May 2006, p.115]

Village Voice

Most of Gelb's seven new songs hold their own with four primo re-rolls.

The average user rating for this album is 8.3 (out of 10) based on 19 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Wig gave it a9:
Another excellent release - you MUST see him live to fully appeciate his work...

AJ gave it a9:
This is like the good twin of Nick Cave's "Abattoir Blues." Gelb sounds self assured and the gospel choir lends a sense of religious authority to his quirky nuggets of alliterated wisdom. You get the feeling that he toned things down a bit with the choir involved, but it actually aids the final product. The album feels like an album. It has a sense of direction and cohesiveness without sacrificing the whimsical nature of Gelb's musings and vocal style. Fans of Gelb know that he can stray too far at times. He doesn't here.

erik e gave it a9:
another billiant album by giant howe !

Tobey T gave it a7:
howe gelb really does sound like a southwestern lou reed. it definitely takes a few listens to get into this album.

Dave A gave it a0:
These guys will never be good.

danny c gave it a7:
I'd be interested in how many of the reviewers still listen to this album? - it is quality but the female vocals have started to bug me to the point of turning off, any chance of a male only vocal version howe? > listen again and see what I mean.

David M gave it a9:
Actually would give it a 8.5 if could, not quite a true nine. No single song is a masterpiece, though the closing minute of Chore of Enchantment comes close, but ever song on this disc is solid, and the interplay between the choir and Gelb's countrified Lou Reed delivery totally works. In a weak year for music, a front-runner for album of the year, though would only rank in low teens/maybe twenties for me for 2005.

'Sno Angel Like You by Howe Gelb

'Sno Angel Like You
by Howe Gelb