Halos & Horns
by Dolly Parton
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    She pulls it off, magnificently, thanks to her spectacular trill of a soprano and earnest approach.
  2. E! Online
    91
    It'll charm the chaps off both diehards and the folks who've discovered these backwoods sounds because of the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack.
  3. Billboard
    90
    This is a showcase of a hugely important American artist at full power.
  5. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    80
    Parton's risks here bring great, unexpected pleasures.
  6. CDNow
    80
    Fans of both Parton and refreshing acoustic roots music should find the album unambiguously divine.
  7. PopMatters
    70
    A pretty strong, spiritually-themed album.
  8. Mojo
    70
    She's still producing songs that stand comparison with those past and purloined classics. [Aug 2002, p.106]
    All this publication's reviews
  9. Rolling Stone
    70
    Halos & Horns doesn't so much rehash bygone eras as showcase Parton's skills as an interpreter -- especially of herself.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 18 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 18
  3. Negative: 2 out of 18
  1. ChadS
    Jul 7, 2005
    8
    Maybe its because the last record I listened to was Animal Collective's "Sung Tongs", but "Horns and Halos" sounds pretty wonderful. I Maybe its because the last record I listened to was Animal Collective's "Sung Tongs", but "Horns and Halos" sounds pretty wonderful. I think people forget that Parton is a songwriter. The strongest impression she made on me, before this album, was her performance of "Jingle Bells" with Paul Schafer and The Late Show Band on Letterman. My favorites are "Not For Me" and "Hello, God", and especially "Raven Dove", one of the better peacenik songs I've heard in some time. To my surprise, Parton does a more successful job reinterpreting Page/Plant than Bread. "If" sounds pretty awful when the banjos kick in. "Stairway to Heaven" works wonderfully.… Full Review »
  2. WayneA.
    Nov 21, 2002
    10
    Simply amazing! I was blown away by the depth of the writing and the enticing sound that almost forces one to listen like the siren song of myth.
  3. MichaelD.
    Oct 11, 2002
    9
    I was comforted by the purity of Dolly's voice. I have always enjoyed her music but her ability to bring the true sounds of Bluegrass to I was comforted by the purity of Dolly's voice. I have always enjoyed her music but her ability to bring the true sounds of Bluegrass to a new generation of listeners is very inspiring… Full Review »
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