Harps And Angels
by Randy Newman
  • Record Label: Nonesuch
  • Release Date: Aug 5, 2008
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Hot Press
    100
    Sharp, incisive, funny and at times even heart-rending in the context of some beautifully-judged rag/country/Dixie-land songs.
  2. Observer Music Monthly
    100
    It remains extraordinary this ability to jump from Tom Lehrer to early Tom Waits.
  3. MSN Consumer Guide (Robert Christgau)
    100
    Never have his arrangements exploited his soundtrack chops so subtly, changeably or precisely.
  5. PopMatters
    90
    Harps and Angels belongs up there with "12 Songs" and "Sail Away" as one of Newman’s greatest works, regardless if he took 20 years to get it out into the public.
  6. No Ripcord
    90
    This is Newman’s most touching, musically rich and consistent record since "Good Old Boys" way back in 1974; and it’s hilarious to boot.
  7. Austin Chronicle
    89
    The characters are memorable, the satire sharp, the music luxurious, and the arrangements maybe the most gorgeous in all pop music.
  8. The Boston Phoenix
    88
    Yet as welcome as it is to have Newman’s acerbic wit back, it remains a singular pleasure to listen to a simple, devastating ballad like 'Losing You,' which is wrapped up in sympathetic strings and absolutely devoid of irony.
  9. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    The stunning title track proves that Newman, at age 64, has more healthy bile in him than 64 twentysomethings....Harps has a couple of duds, though. [8 Aug 2008, p.68]
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  10. The A.V. Club
    83
    Some of the more on-the-nose satire falls flat....Still, heart-on-the-sleeve tracks like 'Losing You' and 'Feels Like Home' feature Newman at his most affecting.
  11. cokemachineglow
    83
    Newman’s work here demands high praise, especially with his resume.
  12. AllMusic
    80
    It's his signature sound and Harps and Angels captures it sublimely, as the production--a co-credit to Newman's longtime associate Lenny Waronker and his latter-day producer Mitchell Froom--has no fancy accoutrements and he's written another set of quietly wonderful songs.
  13. Rolling Stone
    80
    So his return to political-minded material on Harps and Angels is reason to wrap yourself in the flag and cheer.
  14. Uncut
    80
    Newman is at his most affecting when he plays it mercilessly straight: his flickers of sincerity all the more beguiling for only appearing rarely.
  15. Billboard
    80
    Randy Newman's shock-and-aw-shucks wit is so joyfully scathing at times on "Harps and Angels" that it's hard to believe it's been nine years since his last album of new material.
  16. Blender
    80
    This is Newman’s most unwound album.
  17. Hartford Courant
    80
    A savvy storyteller with an acid-tipped language, Newman packages yarns in a voice that is the sonic equivalent of an Emmett Kelly clown face, naturally hangdog while subtly playful as he reminisces about life's rough patches.
  18. Village Voice
    80
    Newman is a master of sardonic humor, be it subtle or slapstick. Harps and Angels is further proof.
  19. Mojo
    80
    His delievry now possesses a wry, self-deprecating warmth which, along with Mitchell Froom and Lenny Waronker's unobtrusive production, suggests a man coming to terms with it all and who realises he's as much a part of this mess as anyone. [Sep 2008, p.110]
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  20. Boston Globe
    80
    40 years after his debut, the curly-haired songwriter continues to play to his strength: three-minute social commentaries that might sound bitter if they weren't so funny.
  21. Spin
    80
    He's still way too fond of show-tune orchestration, and then there's the tossed-off corny stuff, but the orneriness of Newman's now-64-year-old wit makes George Carlin seem like Dane Cook. [Sep 2008, p.120]
  22. Paste Magazine
    79
    Harps and Angels is another fine Randy Newman album, minimally produced by Mitchell Froom and Lenny Waronker.
  23. The New York Times
    70
    Intermittently brilliant, occasionally belligerent, it presents a vision of American identity as sprawling and ultimately as confused as the country itself.
  24. Slant Magazine
    70
    If Harps and Angels occasionally seems uneven, it's because Newman is still so daring. If it seems occasionally classic, it's because he's still so insightful and startlingly good at writing songs.
  25. The Guardian
    60
    Anyone who doesn't actually live for updates from Iowan caucuses can safely skip the whole ragtime politicking middle section and, instead, enjoy the work of a true master of popular song.
  26. Sputnikmusic
    50
    It's hard to slate Harps and Angels too much, because the music is actually quite good in places and it's nowhere near bad enough to be a chore to listen to.

Awards & Rankings

12
#12 Best Album of 2008

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. ChrisC.
    Sep 12, 2008
    5
    Too much whining that some people have more money than others. Newman's old stuff was sardonically opinionated while seeming vaguely Too much whining that some people have more money than others. Newman's old stuff was sardonically opinionated while seeming vaguely informed. This just sounds like a lot of angry whining trying to be funny, but only in the 'Everyone else is stupid' way.… Full Review »
  2. JoeB.
    Sep 10, 2008
    8
    Randy Newman continues to be one of the most important artists out there, right alongside Tom Waits, Neil Young, Radiohead, Bruce Springsteen Randy Newman continues to be one of the most important artists out there, right alongside Tom Waits, Neil Young, Radiohead, Bruce Springsteen etc. His words sear the listener and force them to take inventory of what's going on around them. His sardonic wit is matched equally by his song craft. His arrangements are edited so precisely, his notes and words chosen so meticulously, it is moments like this in music that truly remind me of how small all of us other practitioners really are. Mr. Newman constantly poses challenges for himself and is apparently not afraid to ruffle a few feathers in the process. Kudos! Music should be dangerous, it should provoke thought and controversy, it should force people to take responsibility for their actions. Unfortunately, the reality is that most of these sentiments will be lost as I'm sure, nobody really cares about this kind of stuff anymore except maybe a small few of us. Thanks Randy, you always remind me that I'm not alone.… Full Review »
  3. MichaelE.
    Aug 8, 2008
    9
    More than in his past, the new album reveals autobiographical moments. Not, because Randy Newman has a message to be delivered (apart from More than in his past, the new album reveals autobiographical moments. Not, because Randy Newman has a message to be delivered (apart from his biting comments on current politics), but because of the disturbing moments and the angst that make the "ego" a vulnerable thing when growing older and older. On the other hand, the sound palette he makes use of (from orchestral to intimate chamber atmosphere) is brilliant and always serving the songs!… Full Review »
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