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The Sermon On Exposition Boulevard
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  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
The Sermon On Exposition Boulevard Image
Metascore
75

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

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 15 Ratings

  • Summary: The lyrics for each of the songs on this rock-oriented disc are based on the teachings of Jesus (Christ).

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. AllMusic
    90
    This is the least polished and crafted recording of Rickie Lee Jones' career, and it stands alone in her catalog. It's a ragged kid in ripped blue jeans singing her heart out to you without drama or falsity. How can it be anything less than a masterpiece?
  2. Los Angeles Times
    88
    Ambitious and sprawling, a mud-caked journey to transcendence.
  3. Billboard
    80
    It's a concept so heady and engrossing that it can obscure the fact that "Sermon" also rocks in a way Jones never has before. [17 Feb 2007]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Austin Chronicle
    78
    With every repeat spin, Sermon reveals new truths, divine grooves, and exquisite inspiration.
  5. ShakingThrough.net
    76
    You want back-to-basics? This is it.
  6. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    Sermon is not quite as transcendent as some of her earlier work, but it's still vintage Rickie. [9 Feb 2007, p.75]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. PopMatters
    30
    There are only two or three songs here that seem like they deserve company with Jones’s better work.

See all 13 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 2 out of 12
  1. winesrsw
    Feb 2, 2019
    10
    Beautiful album. Re-listened on vacation after 5-10 years. (I hate how hard it is to listen to an album, vs random songs.) I was especiallyBeautiful album. Re-listened on vacation after 5-10 years. (I hate how hard it is to listen to an album, vs random songs.) I was especially touched by Was There Where, I Like It Best, and It Hurts. Any other recommendations. Donkey Ride was odd but unique!… Expand
  2. GeneS
    Mar 11, 2009
    10
    First of all some of the acoustic (read: no computers) atmospheres would make Brian Eno green with envy. Some of the record is so playful and First of all some of the acoustic (read: no computers) atmospheres would make Brian Eno green with envy. Some of the record is so playful and inspired. It makes me laugh and smile. Some of it is devastating and heartrending. But all of it flies under the radar because the music is so darned engaging and entertaining. I'm inclined to believe "I Was There" is Rickie's greatest post-Pirates era performance. While the record doesn't issue the condemnation the Religious Right rightly deserves, it seems rather to make the point: as a spiritual peoples and collective we are so utterly lost, fumbling in the dark. Perhaps Rickie Lee Jones makes the point that realizing this is the first step toward moving to the light. The Sermon On Exposition Boulevard (a soulful update of a musical theory she explored on the 1997's Ghostyhead), is her most startling record since Pirates and easily earns a place among her greatest work.… Collapse
  4. HeleneG
    Jul 16, 2009
    10
    Raw, honest. Jones stripped, lyrics and music. LOVE IT.
  5. Garyd
    Feb 13, 2007
    9
    It could have been preachy and insufferably high-concept. But it's actually pretty affecting. A welcome return to form.
  6. ToddW.
    May 3, 2007
    9
    Inspirational stories sung heavenly by a beautiful soul. What could be better? Very few offerings, it turns out. Rickie Lee has made it Inspirational stories sung heavenly by a beautiful soul. What could be better? Very few offerings, it turns out. Rickie Lee has made it difficult for one to follow the arc of her career, but with this she puts her eccentricity aside in producing a masterpiece. All of you social rejects out there who are looking for something worthwhile, this is a great place to start. Makes you wanna holler "Amen."… Expand
  7. RudyB.
    Mar 27, 2007
    9
    Inspirational, moving and pentecostal are the effects this had on me. It made me want to read The Words and be as inspired as she appeared to be.
  8. TaniaRochelle
    Feb 16, 2007
    2
    No thanks!

See all 12 User Reviews

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