'Sno Angel Like You - Howe Gelb
Metascore
86 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 15 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. 100
    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]
  2. Fans of Gelb's have to be excited about this because it's perfect, a career high.
  3. 90
    There's a lot to love about 'Sno Angel... Like You. [#71, p.98]
  4. With its subtly joyous tones and lustrous songwriting, 'Sno Angel Like You turns out to be a labor of love with endless rewards.
  5. 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.
  6. 80
    Feels freshly ironic and original. [Apr 2006, p.98]
  7. 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]
  8. The soulful harmonies complement Gelb's dry one-liners and restless guitar surprisingly well.
  9. While nothing wholly spectacular, 'Sno Angel is no less an exceptional effort from a charmingly earnest, yet still somewhat self-conscious, lyricist and singer.
  10. Gelb has produced his most focused work in ages.
  11. 'Sno Angel Like You is not only beautifully performed and recorded, but also wonderfully written.
  12. An immensely pleasing and happy album.
  13. The album is consistent in tone and spirit, never wandering far from its uncluttered ethic. [#13, p.85]
  14. 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]
  15. Most of Gelb's seven new songs hold their own with four primo re-rolls.
User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. Wig
    9
    Another excellent release - you MUST see him live to fully appeciate his work...
  2. AJ
    9
    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. Full Review »
  3. erike
    9
    another billiant album by giant howe !