Sweet Warrior
by Richard Thompson
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. The Guardian
    100
    This is one of the most brilliantly gloomy albums in his long career.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    The guy's a six-string hero whose artistic sweep runs from plangent ballads to fiery barnstormers to, well, a heap of engaging styles in between. [1 Jun 2007, p.69]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Slant Magazine
    90
    The tightness of Thompson's compositions grounds the explosive, whimsical meandering of his improvs; Sweet Warrior, and "Guns Are The Tongues" in particular, captures that glory as well as anything else from this century.
  5. Amazon.com
    80
    Characteristically classy tunes that will thrill Thompson's fans, who have been waiting for just such a set of literate and challenging music from a musician who never delivers less.
  6. Boston Globe
    80
    With nothing particularly unusual to recommend, non-fans will miss out on yet another in a long string of superb collections.
  7. Hartford Courant
    80
    A freewheeling stylistic brew.
  8. Spin
    80
    Of course, the main attraction remains his bristling, zigzag guitar licks, which still astound nearly 40 years on. [Jun 2007, p.96]
    All this publication's reviews
  9. Uncut
    80
    He sounds more like a loner--intense, precise, impervious to fashion--than ever. [Jul 2007, p.102]
    All this publication's reviews
  10. PopMatters
    80
    If you’re a lapsed Dickhead, Sweet Warrior would make for a great reintroduction to Richard Thompson. Likewise, should you require only one RT album per decade, this disc may well stand as his best of the 2000s.
  11. The A.V. Club
    75
    Running nearly 70 minutes, Sweet Warrior is perhaps too indulgent in the album's flabbier second half. But fans surely are happy to let Richard be Richard.
  12. The Boston Phoenix
    75
    Sweet Warrior finds him spinning epic yarns instead of heroic solos.
  13. Billboard
    70
    The 14 tracks find Thompson in typical tasteful form, playing with understated flash that straddles the trans-Atlantic divide to embrace Celtic soul and rootsy Americana, with bits of jazz and Jamaica ("Bad Monkey," "Francesca") thrown into the mix. [2 Jun 2007]
    All this publication's reviews
  14. Paste Magazine
    70
    The [anti-war] track hits so hard, in fact, that it renders much of the other material inconsequential.
  15. The New York Times
    70
    Even when Mr. Thompson uses his caustic wit for laughs, the songs on “Sweet Warrior” hold a tension and vehemence that make their bitterness linger.

Awards & Rankings

22
#22 Best Album of 2007

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
  1. PhilW
    Oct 25, 2007
    10
    One of the best albums of our generation.
  2. MarkL.
    Sep 26, 2007
    9
    Yet another gem from one of the best songwriter/guitarists of our time! While RT's voice is, admittedly, an acquired taste, this could Yet another gem from one of the best songwriter/guitarists of our time! While RT's voice is, admittedly, an acquired taste, this could also be said of several notable artists(i.e., Dylan, Neil Young, Tom Waits) and after years of listening I actually find his vocalizations quite appealing. While many of the tracks are outstanding, I think the relevance and rawness of "Dad's Gonna Kill Me" make it the song of the year.… Full Review »
  3. ChristopherW.
    Sep 25, 2007
    5
    My experience with Richard Thompson has been an incredibly frustrating one. While he writes wonderful songs and has impeccable skills on the My experience with Richard Thompson has been an incredibly frustrating one. While he writes wonderful songs and has impeccable skills on the guitar, his voice (ugggg!!) has to be one of the most unpleasant and annoying of any modern singer in my memory. (Imagine this...I actually love Dylan!) It's too bad really! If he'd step away from vocals and let a more competent and enjoyable singer take over, I'm sure his albums would be the wonderful pleasures they should be. Very sad!… Full Review »
See all user reviews »