Smoke Ring for My Halo - Kurt Vile
Smoke Ring for My Halo Image
Metascore
82 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 28 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.0 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 22 Ratings

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0 out of 10
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  • Summary: The fourth full-length from the Philadelphian songwriter showcases his ability to weave stories and strings together with his lyrical craftsmanship – comparable to Tom Petty and Bob Seger – and guitar-playing skills.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. No Ripcord
    Apr 28, 2011
    90
    Smoke Ring For My Halo might not be for everyone, but it will definitely find a wider audience than anything else in Vile's catalogue.
  2. Q Magazine
    May 18, 2011
    80
    Dark, often opaque, but also full of emotion, this is a gem. [May 2011, p.127]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Hartford Courant
    May 24, 2011
    80
    It's a record with a folky, sometimes psychedelic edge, but it's never self-indulgent or less than focused. In fact, Smoke Ring for My Halo is persuasive evidence that Vile has come fully into his own as a songwriter and musician.
  4. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Mar 8, 2011
    50
    For its circuitousness, there's always been a lean, mean backbone to the guy's writing; even his most bored-sounding toss-offs came wrapped in barbed wire. Here, he just kinda sounds bored.

See all 28 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. philkinney1903
    10
    Album of the Year. The production on songs such as Runner Up's and On Tour is phenomenal. An album to introduce your friends to, and live the songs sound even better with his trademark drawl.… Expand
  2. Hackskeptic
    7
    Whilst mostly impressive, there are moments of overwrought weariness that portray a self piteous, almost precious characteristic that Vile can't help but reveal. That said, such self absorption often guides the listener to the complexities of the new millennial stoner/strummer, and one can forgive the odd soul searching moment because overall the rewards outweigh the negatives. http://hackskeptic.com… Expand

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