Shepherd in a Sheepskin Vest

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  2019

  James

  Shepherd in a Sheepskin Vest feels like the work of an artist taking stock of an entire life without feeling compelled to summarize it. At over an hour, it’s expansive and leisurely, allowing Callahan’s observations to wander from marriage and fatherhood to death, memory, nature, and everyday absurdity. The music is understated but richly textured, giving the songs a warm, lived-in quality. Callahan’s humor is especially important here, preventing the album’s reflections on mortality from becoming overly solemn. It’s less immediately striking than Apocalypse but arguably more generous and comprehensive. A late-period masterpiece that rewards patience and feels increasingly profound with each listen.