[1] Upon its release, Michael Ruby of No Depression commented, "Standout tracks here, such as 'Tous Les Animaux Sont Tristes', 'Peppers and Tomatoes' and 'I Don't Think About You', find McTell doing what he does best: telling unique stories from unique viewpoints.

"[4] Clark Collis of The Daily Telegraph wrote, "Few easy singalongs emerge, but the album offers further evidence of McTell's reflective strengths.

Three decades after his 'Streets of London', a song called 'Care in the Community' highlights one of the social issues troubling him now.

"[5] William Ruhlmann of AllMusic described the album as a "full, expansive collection of songs that makes a worthy addition to the singer/songwriter's catalog".

He added, "Sand in Your Shoes finds McTell over 50 and reflecting philosophically on the passage of time, the approach of death, and several social concerns.