The Boxing Mirror
by Alejandro Escovedo
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. AllMusic
    90
    In the 21st century, this is what singer/songwriter albums are supposed to sound like. The Boxing Mirror is brilliant, and it is his masterpiece.
  2. PopMatters
    60
    If anything clouds the reflection offered by The Boxing Mirror, it comes in the form of a couple of odd production choices.
  3. Uncut
    60
    It understandably struggles with a weightiness, an emotional claustrophobia. [Jun 2006, p.100]
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  5. Rolling Stone
    70
    A resonant, if occasionally dour, mix of gritty, tuneful rockers and restrained, spectral balladry that evokes Leonard Cohen fronting Crazy Horse. [4 May 2006, p.56]
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  6. musicOMH.com
    40
    Most of the time, it's run-of-the mill soft rock.
  7. The Guardian
    80
    Sober chamber strings dignify a magpie mix of classic rock and conjunto styles; these 11 songs embrace life in all its joy, sorrow and anger.
  8. The A.V. Club
    75
    As is often the case with Escovedo, a certain necessary edge is missing.
  9. Spin
    80
    One of [the year's] most heartfelt albums. [Jun 2006, p.80]
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  10. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    A triumphant CD that owes an unmistakable debt to Lou Reed's noirish 1978 rock operetta Street Hassle. [28 Apr 2006, p.137]
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  11. NOW Magazine
    100
    At last, everything Escovedo does well is represented on a single disc.
  12. Austin Chronicle
    78
    His genius is on bold display in the way he intertwines the raw beauty of tunes like "The Ladder," a ballad for Christoff, and "Evita's Lullaby," about his mother's love for his deceased father, with the urgent, Velvets-esque drone of "Break This Time" and the ferocious pounding and vivid imagery of attempted suicide on "Sacramento & Polk."
  13. Billboard
    100
    A masterwork from one of the genuine lights in rock music.
  14. Village Voice
    80
    Subtract [a few tracks] and Los Lobos could've made this album if they, too, got John Cale to produce. That's a compliment to all involved.
  15. ShakingThrough.net
    90
    Inspiring and masterful.
  16. Neumu.net
    95
    An album full of vitality that is smart and intelligent without being boring. More importantly, however, it is simply incredible.
  17. Amazon.com
    70
    The darkest, most mysterious album of his career.

Awards & Rankings

50
#50 Best Album of 2006

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. MarkH
    May 15, 2006
    9
    The Boxing Mirror is among the greatest Escovedo efforts that also include Gravity and A Man Under the Influence. Swings deftly between raw The Boxing Mirror is among the greatest Escovedo efforts that also include Gravity and A Man Under the Influence. Swings deftly between raw rock and dark ballads. Break This Time is an instant classic.… Full Review »
  2. MichaelM
    May 10, 2006
    10
    I him perform many of these songs live a couple days before the cd came out. It was a very powerful performance and I was a little worried I him perform many of these songs live a couple days before the cd came out. It was a very powerful performance and I was a little worried that the passion and energy might not come through on the cd. My fears were totally unfounded, this cd rocks. Oh, and if you get a chance to see him live do it.… Full Review »
  3. Dave
    May 5, 2006
    10
    An early entry in the race for the album of the year.
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