User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Shepherd in a Sheepskin Vest
by
Shepherd in a Sheepskin Vest Image
Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 22 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 38 Ratings

  • Summary: The first new release in six years for the Austin-based singer-songwriter was recorded and mixed by Brian Beattie.
Buy Now
Buy on

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. The Guardian
    Jun 14, 2019
    100
    Its hour run time notwithstanding, few albums are this expansive. The acoustic arrangements and brushed drums expand its sense of the infinite, and Callahan disarms with humour and subtly shattering insight.
  2. Uncut
    Jun 10, 2019
    90
    This sprawling, beguiling collection strives to reveal all, but every answer brings more questions. [Jul 2019, p.18]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. No Ripcord
    Jun 18, 2019
    90
    Abstractions give way to specifics, and the result is a cascade of feelings, ideas, and images overlapping and enhancing each other in the listener's mind.
  4. The Skinny
    Jun 14, 2019
    80
    Further instrumentation was added with care afterwards, but the skeleton of each song can still be discerned, pleasingly, like a pencil sketch beneath watercolours.
  5. The Wire
    Jun 20, 2019
    80
    The parsimoniously arranged, mostly acoustic sound of the record enhances its projection of intimacy. ... Callahan doesn’t entirely give up his old taste for blankly delivered disturbance; his memory of childbirth includes the blood. But he’s never sounded so open or so genuinely happy. [Jul 2019, p.48]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. musicOMH.com
    Jun 17, 2019
    80
    At over an hour long, this isn’t an album to dip in and out of--it’s that rare album that you have to commit to, and let it wash over you.
  7. American Songwriter
    Jun 12, 2019
    70
    At the end of the 20 tracks, you’ll feel both closer to yourself and to Bill Callahan as you drift along with his expansive, occasionally humorous, always provocative and quirky mindset.

See all 22 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. Lana-banana
    Aug 31, 2019
    10
    Without a doubt, the best album of the year. Lana is one of the best artists of all time, an authentic, strong and powerful woman.
  2. All_ButTrU4
    Nov 20, 2021
    8
    A fascinating 1hour masterpiece carried by philosophical observations, meditations on death and fatherhood. Bill has never sounded this strongA fascinating 1hour masterpiece carried by philosophical observations, meditations on death and fatherhood. Bill has never sounded this strong before pulling off 20 tracks that never feel like fillers or indulgent. The phenomenal "747" has one of the most stunning lyrics on death inspired from looking out of a plane and seeing the clouds from a higher perspective. Bill has a knack for making the mundane feel so important.… Expand
  4. sammyanthony
    Jul 4, 2019
    7
    Love how Bill Callahan wrapped cute love and introspective stories up in a serene, ambient, and dark way. Frightening at first, but at someLove how Bill Callahan wrapped cute love and introspective stories up in a serene, ambient, and dark way. Frightening at first, but at some point it feels more relentless as it goes through till the end; makes it dull and unfulfilled its purpose to deliver.… Expand

Related Articles

  1. Best of 2019, Music

    The 20 Best Albums of 2019 So Far

    The 20 Best Albums of 2019 So Far Image
    Published: July 4, 2019
    These were the best-reviewed new albums released during the first half of 2019.
    More »

Awards & Rankings

19
#19 Best Album of 2019
44
#44 Most Shared Album of 2019

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 If I don't make it, I love u - Still House Plants
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
91 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
90 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
89 All Born Screaming - St. Vincent
88 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
87 Bright Future - Adrianne Lenker
87 Bite Down - Rosali
All Current Music »