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Halos & Horns Image
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 18 Ratings

  • Summary: The legendary singer's third roots-country album for Sugar Hill Records includes 12 Parton originals as well as covers of Bread's "If" and, of all things, Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven."

Top Track

Hello God
[Chorus] Hello God, are you out there? Can you hear me, are you listening any more? Hello God, if we're still on speaking terms Can you help me like... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 13
  2. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. She pulls it off, magnificently, thanks to her spectacular trill of a soprano and earnest approach.
  2. 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. This is a showcase of a hugely important American artist at full power.
  4. Halos & Horns doesn't so much rehash bygone eras as showcase Parton's skills as an interpreter -- especially of herself.
  5. Mojo
    70
    She's still producing songs that stand comparison with those past and purloined classics. [Aug 2002, p.106]
  6. Uncut
    60
    Some of her best singing in years. [Sep 2002, p.114]
  7. The problem is, Parton seems hesitant to just go ahead and continue to make the kinds of albums that will attract hardcore folk and roots enthusiasts, instead tempering her material with apparent attempts to hold appeal to a wider audience. So, at best, the final results are a bit mixed.

See all 13 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. 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.
  2. LynnH.
    Sep 12, 2002
    10
    I am a Dolly Parton fan and love her voice. This album is very country and I love her writing. These Old Bones really made me feel my roots. I am a Dolly Parton fan and love her voice. This album is very country and I love her writing. These Old Bones really made me feel my roots. I am from Eastern Kentucky and related to the old woman. I've seen and heard that kind of talking. I have played the song too many times to count. Also, Halos and Horns is a favorite too. It helped me some when my mother recently passed away. Keep doing it your way Dolly!! Expand
  3. RonG.
    Oct 3, 2002
    10
    This makes 3 in a row for Dolly. Back to her roots. This is a great album.
  4. SkipL
    Jul 21, 2002
    9
    Incredible, will she ever stop outdoing herself? I sure hope not! Hello God, blew me away. I'm Gone, another instant Dolly Classic and Incredible, will she ever stop outdoing herself? I sure hope not! Hello God, blew me away. I'm Gone, another instant Dolly Classic and Stairway to Heave, wow it really does work. Radio might not play it, but Grammy will remember it. Expand
  5. MattC.
    Sep 5, 2002
    9
    An inspired, warm, incredibly accessible album, Parton's voice has actually improved with the texture of age. This album ranks among An inspired, warm, incredibly accessible album, Parton's voice has actually improved with the texture of age. This album ranks among Dolly's best. Her cover of "If" gives new credence to seeking out and re-working old gems, and even gospel-hued numbers like "John Daniel" will have you tapping your foot. With this album ending a trio of blugrass inspired music ventures, Parton has assured her place in music's pantheon as the quintissential American musical artist: blissfully contradictory, unabashedly sentimental, and herculean in her strength of lyrical prose. Expand
  6. AaronL.
    Jul 17, 2002
    8
    Okay, I was initially frightened when she decided to cover "Stairway to Heaven." Fortunately, she has created a new bluegrass classic with Okay, I was initially frightened when she decided to cover "Stairway to Heaven." Fortunately, she has created a new bluegrass classic with her version. This CD along with her last two are proof that she is an amazing singer and songwriter in the prime of her musical career. Expand
  7. 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. Expand

See all 8 User Reviews