A Sailor's Guide to Earth
by Sturgill Simpson
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Apr 15, 2016
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 83 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 77 out of 83
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 83
  3. Negative: 6 out of 83
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  1. Custom_Concerns
    Apr 20, 2016
    8
    I wish all country was like this. Denser, more ambitious, and more authentic than the stereotypical "bro-country" that has pervaded radio stations for upwards of 30 years. Simpson incorporates southern rock, psychedelia, soul, and, above all, country on the latest record of his. A Sailor's Guide to Earth is not only in the top 5 albums released in 2016 so far, but one of the best countryI wish all country was like this. Denser, more ambitious, and more authentic than the stereotypical "bro-country" that has pervaded radio stations for upwards of 30 years. Simpson incorporates southern rock, psychedelia, soul, and, above all, country on the latest record of his. A Sailor's Guide to Earth is not only in the top 5 albums released in 2016 so far, but one of the best country albums of the last decade. If you are wary of the genre, do not discount it until you have given a listen to Sturgill Simpson.… Expand
  2. Shrimpy
    Apr 28, 2016
    8
    Good record even if E. Swartz disagrees. The fact it is an open letter to his son is risky and unique. After his last album it is a bold statement musically.
  3. LoyolaProp1
    Apr 18, 2016
    9
    This isn't the album you may have thought you wanted from Sturgill, but instead he gave you something you didn't know you wanted. I adore this album for what it stands for, his departure from being the next outlaw country darling. Musically this album is genre-less, which only shows Simpson's musical prowess even more.
  4. Platendraaier
    Apr 18, 2016
    8
    On A Sailor's Guide to Earth Sturgill Simpson sends several postcards with life wisdom's to his son. The musical package goes from the emotion-rich sounds of the country, the swinging of the soul and funk to his expressions of pain and sorrow in the blues. This combination gives the text more depth and supports the messages he sent as a touring musician to his son. It is the cry forOn A Sailor's Guide to Earth Sturgill Simpson sends several postcards with life wisdom's to his son. The musical package goes from the emotion-rich sounds of the country, the swinging of the soul and funk to his expressions of pain and sorrow in the blues. This combination gives the text more depth and supports the messages he sent as a touring musician to his son. It is the cry for freedom and love he conquers as a bandleader and translates into his energetic and sonorous songs. Sturgill Simpson sails his own route and let his discoveries and experiences come to life in the most beautiful postcards that you can wish for as a son. 8/10

    Full Review in Dutch: https://www.platendraaier.nl/albumrecensies/sturgill-simpson-a-sailors-guide-to-earth/    … Expand
  5. Sshaban1
    Apr 20, 2016
    10
    This is coming form a guy who rarely listens too country. This album blew me away, you can feel the raw emotion and when I realized he made this album for his son it meant so much more. This takes country to another level. 10/10
  6. mlarch
    Apr 23, 2016
    10
    There really isn't anything like this album. Another reviewer stated "genre-less", and I could not agree more. Wonderfully put together, this is the most unforgettable album I've ever listened to. I wish this was the type of country we heard on the radio.
  7. bakertom09
    Jun 20, 2016
    9
    If you don't like it, fine. But if you don't like it because it's not Meta Modern II then that's a problem. A beautiful album that proves SS is in it for the long haul and will refuse to play by anyone's rules regarding what "country" music is/should be. It's obvious he is committed to making great music, to hell with the bowl people try to put it in.
  8. zabboo
    Jan 14, 2017
    8
    A rollicking and meaningful country and soul record, with an inspired Sturgill Simpson directing his musings on life and the hardships of the sea to his infant son.
  9. krazyyeti555
    Feb 21, 2018
    8
    For those who declare themselves "country haters", this is one of those albums that challenges them. Simpson returns genre-bending as ever, and even in the moments where his music seems to stem purely from a southern-rock influenced country, it retains a sense of defiance of the status quo and dedication to itself that it can't truly be captured by a genre. This album is at times touchingFor those who declare themselves "country haters", this is one of those albums that challenges them. Simpson returns genre-bending as ever, and even in the moments where his music seems to stem purely from a southern-rock influenced country, it retains a sense of defiance of the status quo and dedication to itself that it can't truly be captured by a genre. This album is at times touching and dreamy, and at times rowdy and nearly over-the-top, which holds it back from its potential to be a total embrace of the "metacountry" that he self proclaimed in his last effort but again never quite reached. This work comes closer and is deserving of the praise it receives. I can imagine someday playing a few of these songs to my children. "Breakers Roar", the cover of Nirvana's "In Blood", and "Oh Sarah" are high spots of the album if you are looking for the emotional touching side of Simpson's music, while "Sea Stories" and "Keep It Between the Lines" rock and roll liken the sea they openly proclaim to be set in. Another success for Sturgill Simpson and for creative musicians everywhere.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

19
#19 Best Album of 2016
99
#99 Most Discussed Album of 2016
22
#22 Most Shared Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. The Telegraph (UK)
    May 13, 2016
    80
    Sturgill Simpson has recorded an interesting album about the lure of home. Musically, it's a bold step away from the excellent Metamodern Sounds in Country Music (there's more soul and brass in A Sailor's Guide to Earth) but the songwriting remains strong and beguiling.
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  2. Q Magazine
    May 5, 2016
    80
    A Sailor's Guide to Earth is audacious in a genre that prizes hat size over innovation, a concept album about parenting and childhood intended for consumption in one continuous sitting like a short story. [Jul 2016, p.114]
  3. Classic Rock Magazine
    Apr 19, 2016
    90
    Cue nuggets of advice from someone who’s had his own share of knocks, self-inflicted and otherwise, as Simpson and the band tackle brassy R&B, Memphis soul and swampy country, augmented by semi-orchestral strings and bound together by his extraordinary baritone.
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