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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.

The Confessions of St. Ace
by John Wesley Harding


8.2

based on 8 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 4 votes
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Rate this album

LABEL:	Malt/Mammoth
RELEASE DATE:	29 August 2000
DISCS:	1 disc
GENRE(S):	Rock, Alternative, Pop, Folk

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...

Splendid

Without a doubt the best Elvis Costello record that Costello never recorded.... wistfully irresistible pop confections filled with effervescent melodies and clever lyrical wordplay.

Checkout.com

His latest release pops to life with the Beatlesque piano beat of "Humble Bee" and maintains a buoyant atmosphere throughout.

Wall of Sound

The lyricism is, as always, witty, wry, and full of cleverly deployed twists, along with literary and cultural allusions and smart metaphors...

All Music Guide

It is one of his best in years and is filled with witty, thoughtful songwriting and polished instrumentation that works together to make a seamless album, engaging the listener.

Magnet

Through the first three songs, Confessions sounds for all the world like the masterpiece John Wesley Harding has seemed unwilling to make throughout the detours and bypasses his career has taken since his magnificent 1990 debut.... Unfortunately, he has a difficult time reaching those heights again. [#47, p.97]

The Onion (A.V. Club)

St. Ace is as quotable as it is catchy, with production that stays just on the safe side of lush and a sound that's eager to win the audience Harding has never quite found.

Sonicnet

Harding has streamlined his lyrics and placed them in taut, soulful settings à la John Hiatt...

Spin Cycle

Unfortunately, Harding misses more than he hits.... musically most of the tracks sound forced and untrue.

The average user rating for this album is 8.2 (out of 10) based on 4 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Jeffrey H. gave it a 10:
Catchy melodies, and rhythyms... clever, ultimately open-ended lyrics invite many listenings. Bravo!

Maribelle gave it an 8:
This reminds me a lot of here comes the groom and the name above the title. I am more partial to his acoustic leanings, yet the more produced sound does not detract from his witty and clever revelations-(and anywayhis eloquent lyricist's side always was my favorite slice of Wes)

Robby M. gave it a 8:
Possibly Harding's best effort yet! Full of great hooks, and wry song writing. Harding's songwrinting has matured without becoming dull or pretensious.

Josh B. gave it a 7:
Same songs live were much more enticing--studio and these arrangements don't capture the charm.

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The Confessions of St. Ace by John Wesley Harding

The Confessions of St. Ace
by John Wesley Harding