Reviews (page 3 of 8)
I wasn't familiar with the name Richard Hawley, but several songs on “Coles Corner” sounded familiar to me. I don't have much to say about the content; this album doesn't strike me as particularly noteworthy. I think it's fine for an album to include a few slow tracks. But ballads that take up the whole album? I don't really need that. Sure, the songs are all fine and the production is thoroughly professional. You can certainly do it that way, but on a list of the best albums of all time, I actually expect something that’s somehow special.
sounded like british country, a bit boring
I really like this kind of baroque, modern take on traditional pop, and this is one of the best examples of that sound I've heard. These songs are big, with deep, up-front echoing vocals. But they're never overwrought, with the layers of sounds adding depth but not melodrama. There's nice variety between the more baroque pieces with big hooks and the country-tinged ones, making this a bit of a trip through the sounds of the 50s, 60s, and 70s. My big knock against this is that the country pieces are all pretty similar and linear, and by the end I'm a bit tired of them. The instrumental closer is a really nice comedown though. These are some great sounding songs but they're missing something unique that makes this more than just modern versions of older styles.
Nice voice. Good music. Calming, but boring.
I as not expecting to be blown away by how good this album is. Amazing. I can’t wait to listen to it again.
I enjoyed the first half of this album, though it got a little bland/boring for me later on. Nonetheless, I love this a lot; it's a mix of sweet, sometimes bitter but always maintains a wonderful instrumental for each track. My favorite tracks include: Coles Corner, Darlin' Wait for Me and The Ocean.
Movie music for artistic directors. 2/5
Utter garbage. Modern crooning at its worst. Tried to find something redeeming and just couldn’t
Mid.
Ocean - שיר ממש יפה התחושה של האלבום הזה היא כאילו הוא יצא 50 שנה מאוחר מדי, מעניין אבל לא הקטע שלי 2.6 מתוך 5
Peaceful album, made be happy. Nothing to complain about :)
Lounge music.
boring
damn boy
The first track is a throwback to the days of crooners. The second track adds the jangle of almost western style, but still with that same Mel Torme feel. This is where I stifled a yawn and tried not to skip to the next track. The third track imitates early rock tracks and now I feel like I'm being taken on a tour of historical musical styles. The fourth track feels like an early Elvis Presley\Buddy Holly song and now I feel pretty sure of the cavalcade of American music styles theory of this album. So when I get to Born Under a Bad Sign, it definitely isn't what I had anticipated. All the tracks are looking back to earlier musical styles. If nostalgia is your thing, you might find something here. I'm going to listen to Lou Reed's Perfect Day and maybe some Misfits/Rockabilly to get the taste out of my mouth.
Quite lovely
inessential, spineless
Stinks, but no worse than Pulp. Has to be worth something.
Made me feel like I was in a nursing home.
I really wanted to like this more than I actually dio. He has a good voice and there are some lovely moments. The first track especially is great. However the album could have done with a bit of trimming. It needs something to lift it a bit and make the tracks stand out. Put me in mind of Elbow but for me not as good
There’s no need for this. Not awful, I liked the last song the most. 2.5/5
Not even the best Hawley album. True loves gutter is amazing.
Sounds like Elwood's favorite meal, "White bread, toast, dry, nothing on it."
Boring
It would be a great soundtrack to a serial killer movie.
It's fine, safe, background music
Croon on crooner, croon on
Der Engländer Richard Hawley, geboren und aufgewachsen in Sheffield, schuf mit Coles Corner sein Mute-Records-Debüt in den heimischen Yellow Arch Studios seiner Geburtsstadt — und lieferte damit das Werk ab, das seinen Namen endgültig etablierte. Gemeinsam mit Bassist und Co-Produzent Colin Elliot sowie Mike Timm destillierte Hawley seinen tief empfundenen Hang zu den Klangwelten der 1940er und 1950er Jahre in eine eigenwillige Mixtur aus Chamber Pop, Country-Schatten und frühem Rock 'n' Roll. Das Ergebnis klingt anachronistisch im besten Sinne: ein Album, das sich ohne jeden Anflug von Ironie in eine vergangene Ära begibt. Die Titelsingle „Coles Corner" — benannt nach einem ehemaligen Kaufhaus in Sheffield, das als klassischer Treffpunkt für Liebespaare galt — ist das emotionale Herz des Albums: anschwellende Streicher, ein schwelgender Refrain, Hawleys warmer Bariton als Anker. Daneben entfalten „The Ocean" als episches Finale und das treibende „Just Like the Rain" die stilistische Bandbreite eines Musikers, der Nostalgie nicht als Flucht, sondern als ehrliches Gefühl begreift. „Born Under a Bad Sign" und „Darlin' Wait For Me" vervollständigen das Bild eines Albums, das unaufdringlich, aber nachhaltig wirkt. Coles Corner war für den Mercury Prize 2006 nominiert — eine Anerkennung, die dem Album half, aus dem Status des Geheimtipps herauszutreten, ohne seinen introvertierten Charakter zu verlieren. Hawley versteht es, Liebeslieder zu schreiben, die sich nicht schämen, es zu sein: direkt, ungekünstelt und von einer leisen Melancholie durchzogen, die sich erst nach mehrmaligem Hören vollständig entfaltet. Ein Album, das in keine Schublade passt und gerade deshalb zeitlos bleibt.
Well this man certainly flew under my radar. Some well written songs on this album. Relaxing thought provoking lyrics with great accompaniment. Will be listening more to Richard Hawley who shares his name with my brother's friend.
Um, curious…why is this on the list? I did not like this at all.
This sounded much older stylistically than it is, at least to me. Pleasant enough but not my favorite.
Un disco imprescindible, el mejor de Hawley y uno de los mejores de principios de siglo. Al nivel de A short album about love de Divine Comedy o de los de Scott Walker. The ocean , Born under a bad sign, Coles corner... Aroma clásico, exquisita orquestación... Orbison, Anka, Elvis... 5/5
This does have an old crooner sound for such a new album in the 2000s. I really like Richard’s vocals and his calming but powerful music. Still doesn’t hit the 5 star mark I may reserve for someone like Sinatra, but enjoyable album
a lot of the album was samey, but loved The Ocean and Born Under A Bad Sign
album #22 this isn't a bad album but i fail to understand why it's on this list. it's dull as dishwater and isn't influential/impactful. i have a feeling it's just because it won a mercury prize. it was hard for me to actually get through the whole thing because i just wasn't interested. every song sounded the same, barring the ocean. i'm giving it a 1 because halfway through i kept checking whether it was the last song so i could end the album lol. ꩜ favourite track(s): the ocean ꩜ least favourite track(s): born under a bad sign ꩜ album rating: ★☆☆☆☆ ꩜ number of albums left to review: 1,067 ꩜ number of albums from the list that i agree with being on the list: 10 ꩜ albums from the list that I would consider on my list: 3 ꩜ albums from the list I won't include on my list: 19
Great, smooth and soothing baritone, a nice listen. Few great songs, but overall not the most gripping album.
So good
2005 brit cosplay as Johnny Cash. There's something here, but I would need ot listen more to get it.
Ik was echt klaar voor een saaie sadboi rock song. Cue my surprise toen deze man opeens besloot om een fucking crazy goede stem te hebben. OK, Richy, ik was hier niet klaar voor! God, die stem, die pakt me echt hoor. De teksten die er bij horen komen ook wel een beetje binnen. Soms vind je een album precies op het juiste moment en volgens mij is dit een redelijk break-up album. Nou, de timing daarvan had denk ik niet veel beter gekund. Of slechter, net wat je wilt. Daarom vind ik het ook een verdomd lastig album om te reviewen, maar ik beoordeel het op hoe de muziek binnenkomt op de dag dat ik het luister, dat voelt het meest logisch. En vandaag, tsja, vandaag komt het gewoon wel behoorlijk binnen. Het album doet me soms heel erg denken aan een country album. Of een crooner album, dit is in elk geval absoluut geen album van de tijd waar het vandaag komt. Last Orders is echt een tof nummer. Sowieso is dit een album met echt veel sfeer. Het is in een keer duidelijk waar Richard voor ging qua album, en ik vind dat hij daar ook goed in geslaagd is. Verdomme, ik ga even huilend een ex bellen denk ik. FAVO: Coles Corner, The Ocean, tonight, Last orders
Really nice easy listening album.
Could easily be persuaded to improve my score based on my mood. Each song was tolerable and enjoyable, even if the process became mundane.
Surprised I’d never came across him. Very Sinatra and can’t say a bad word about it
Moreeee UK alt man
2000s crooner
beautiful voice and instrumentals
I kind of had to waffle and figure out how mad I am at this. I do think this is being earnest, and I don't have anything against Richard Hawley, but "Sinatra impression over boilerplate easy listening revival" is kind of a recipe for music that I just fucking hate. And I would like to say that I *do* like Sinatra himself. But when a modern artist tries to do the same thing, it just sits wrong with me. I also think that the songs here have too little movement to be interesting, and too little innovation to be groundbreaking. I also can't really connect with any of these songs emotionally, at least to an extent that would help me get into this thing. I really can't see who this is for aside from people who listen *exclusively* to easy listening and countrypolitan. The Ocean is probably the best here, even though it ends up a little melodramatic. And I think I Sleep Alone and Tonight are also alright, but they are still kind of a slog. But everything else just has me watching the clock as it melts into an unspecific puddle of easy listening goop. I feel a little bad, because I do think Hawley is doing what he likes, but I just dont enjoy spending time listening to this.
Hard pass.
Nope..not for me
Some of the most toothless, generic music I’ve heard on this project. At least it’s well-produced and well-performed.
Someone once asked me what my favourite song was. This took weeks to finalise, but eventually I settled on 'She brings the sunlight'. The build up to the guitar breaks are just perfect. Also, instrumental in the sound of the Longpigs. This guy can do no wrong in my eye. But this is mediocre. Nice, but mediocre.
Never heard of this guy, but he's a very talented singer. Listened 3x.
Very good
I found this album to be so dreamy and delightful. Very beautiful production.
Did not care for this guys voice. Other than that, the music was ok but not something I’d probably listen to again. Melancholic crooning is how I’d describe this album. (2)
Honestly, I enjoyed the man out of time; recapturing the crooner era vibe this has going for it.
Much better than my initial impressions were expecting. Very nice listen.
Bored, bored, bored.
Some parts were really enjoyable and others seemed to miss.
Never heard of this guy but this quite good all around music, lyrics and vocals. I’m a new fan.
oooh starting out symphonic!! soft kinda folky (but not folk) light listening. bill callahan sometimes i wish we were an eagle (2012) is very much in line with this--although i *think* callahan is american. very much just baritone singing with some accompaniment. some love songs some sorrow songs a little mystical a little mundane. it's nice. i think hawley is less mystical than callahan. i would say it's in the mid 3s. not sure whether to round up or down. on the one hand, very refreshing compared to all the angsty alt rock on this list, on the other hand, i probably won't listen again. i'll go 4/5 cause why not.
This was really kind of more special than I thought it would be. It is kind of country but also crooner light and folk. A lot about lonliness which depending on your mood can be tough because he is the kind of singer that makes you want to pay attention to what he is saying. I think I really liked this and was caught by surprise. Also I have never heard any of his music prior to this find. Thanks again to the album generator for this one!
Really boring
Yet another boring album
bit dull
Wow this is beautiful! A perfect album for a late night drive. I had such a good time listening to this! The lyrics got me in my feels in the best way and the music was also excellent.
Quite a lovely album!
I very much rate Richard Hawley as a talented performer and composer. So I was a bit disappointed to find this album a bit one-note: all very gentle and melodic. Clearly, that doesn't mean it's bad. It's full of lovely melodies; it just didn't grab my attention. I had the opposite reaction when I saw him performing on Jools; he can certainly tear the place down when he wants to. This was enjoyable but not thrilling.
smooth, retro-feel, very nice
This is a very British pull, because I don't think this album made it big in America. I was very 50/50 on the songs, but I do like the overall sound. I'm going 3 for my rating, but a very high 3-- a 3.99, if you will.
Really a 3.5. A surprisingly enjoyable listen for me.
Haunting voice and overall ambience. I didn't hate it but didn't love it either. 4.5/10 Top song Just like the rain
Smooth. Late night whiskey drinking music.
Some decent lounge style music with some decent guitar thrown in.
Quite unobjectionable “chamber pop” and singer-songwriter stylings, timelessly singing of loneliness and heartache. His old country type song works too. I could see him having his fans; it’s not unique enough for me.
Seeing that Richard Hawley had ties to Pulp, I was not initially excited for this album. There is a lot more Frank Sinatra and Roy Orbison influence here than I was expecting. That kind of late night, dreamy crooning with string accompaniment, mixed with country tinged rock 'n' roll is a welcome surprise! On some songs Hawley draws comparisons to Murder By Death, both with vocal quality and music stylings. All that to say, I really dig this.
21st century Elvis? Like Elvis, the music is sappy but soothing. Swooning guitars and vocals. I liked it, but it's nothing too special. 6/10
This is a weird one for me, since this I'm not familiar with this guy. The only other ones like that so far were MC Solaar and Liars (and Robbie Williams was just a name, same with Pulp, basically). Anyway, trying to place where this guy fits in, and not having much luck. His voice (and maybe his music) remind me a bit of country singer Jimmie Dale Gilmore and of M. Ward (who's also half of She & Him). Country singer? Folk singer? Crooner? And here's also where I come up against: is it (i.e., how I should judge the albums here) "how much do I like it," or "do I think he's done a good job at what he's doing (even if the music doesn't appeal to me)? But, in fact, it's not that I don't like it; maybe more that I wouldn't seek it out very often? But I'm glad for the discovery, and might come back occasionally. 4 stars. P.S. I intentionally didn't look up anything about him until after I wrote this; am curious now to look him up.
"Coles Corner" is a decent song. Often a simple song is better at making you feel something. "Hotel Room" reminds me of Santo & Johnny. And like their vocal-less music, this one could have done without vocals and more pedal steel I do wonder if I needed to hear this before I die. Makes me wish there were more records here from countries other than the US and UK. That being said, I enjoyed it somewhat. There's emotional potency at least. The last track was nice, a bit of ambient which we haven't had yet.
Crooner? Elevator or grocery store aisle music of previous generations, just recorded this century. Voice is ok; arrangements are ok. It's just ok background for a nap. ⭐⭐
Got a few songs in before I noticed this was from 2005, and I was shocked. Quite mellow which isn't my usual taste, but the arrangements are so lovely. The overabundance of bad vocals in these albums is really making me appreciate the nice ones more, and these are gorgeous. I do love a good baritone.
Sweet aber find persönlich bisschen schnulzig langweilig, aber für so einen Abend bestimmt top
Boooooooringggg
Mellow, listenable album. Solid songwriting.
Went in cynical, came out a believer
Too slow for me. Probably good to fall asleep to. The ocean song was good.
This crooner thing is nice at places but it's a bit repetitive overall. Not sure why this album is here. He has better ones.
Dunno it was good but all the same
Very well done modernization of 50s era country and do-wop. I enjoyed this album, but I don’t know if it’s one I’ll return to at a later time. It was competently done and very true to its roots, which is impressive for an album released in 2005. Still, not one that is gonna stick with me.
Cozy
Its too competant and tasteful for a 2, but its not my favorite.
Not for me…
Awful
When to listen: while cooking a fancy dinner and drinking a glass of red wine... AKA you need to concentrate on the cooking and not on the music. It's pleasant, it's background-y, but it didn't rearrange my mind.
Zzzzzzzzzzzz
Började rätt bra, fick direkt vibbar av Arctic Monkeys vilket verkade stämma bra. Men blev lite tråkigt på slutet
This is pleasant enough but I’d rather listen to actual classic crooners. Probably doesn’t help that I just got a Frank Sinatra record two days ago.
Guy with rock and indie cred does crooner shit. Mixed results; some of these songs were pretty stunning, like "The Ocean." Others were skippable. Not awful as he's got a great voice. But overall just a mixed album.
Yet another example of, “You just gotta listen to it” I was not certain what I was in for but I definitely had my doubts when I saw that he’s British and Apple had him egregiously labelled as Pop. The range on this album is something to be celebrated. Hawley effortlessly works in a touch of crooner, shifts to rockabilly, works in some gloomy Waits like singer songwriter tracks and one of the best country tunes I’ve heard in awhile with, “(Wading Through)” I am always glad to have my preconceived judgements proven to be wrong by a fantastic record. What a track Ocean is eh? Wow, painful and beautiful. Am I way off when I say that I kept thinking about Mac Demarco throughout my listens today? Completely different artists but there’s something there. Great stuff Hawley. 4 stars
This was such a beautiful listen, a really beautiful album that feels warm and nostalgic from the very first song with this late-night, slow and romantic atmosphere that makes it perfect for listening when you want something calm and emotional. The music itself is also amazing, the songs are full of soft guitars, strings, and subtle instruments that give the album a rich and envolving sound, nothing feels rushed nor over the top giving space to every track to build its mood, also, shotout to “The Ocean,” beautiful song in every single way, and a proof of how good Hawley is at creating emotional melodies. Lyrically, the album focuses a lot on love and longing. The way Hawley writes about relationships feels simple but very genuine, giving a bittersweet feeling throughout the whole record, like the songs understand both the beauty and the sadness that can come with love. Overall such an unexpected yet magnificent experience
It's not bad, in fact it's objectively really good, but it still manages to be so...meh
Got better for me as it went along
Interesting , probably needs another listen
Lo disfruté! Lo recomiendo ❤️
The album has a nice consistent high, not TOO high, but fairly high. It's good especially for a country album. This has that nice closeness feel that country and folk songs/albums tend to have; where it's mostly just the vocalist and a guitar. I really wasn't peeped by this album until the guitar solo happens in "Hotel Room." Made me completely raise my eyebrows in interest, a guitar solo a la Pink Floyd. That song is definitely by far my favourite. Highlight Song/s: "Hotel Room" and "Darlin' Wait for Me"
Mm boring
a tad snoozy. apart from 'the ocean', which was delivered without any power or passion, this album was just boring and tedious
Previously unknown. Kinda boring.
This was such a pleasant surprise. This is such a warm and cozy album. Definitely a crooner vibe, with warbly, reverby, steel guitars and a dreamy atmosphere. Strong songwriting. I loved the sound and vibe of this and will probably come back to listen again. I listened to a lot of the 'bonus tracks' that are a part of the deluxe edition because I was enjoying it so much.
Glad I preserved with this. Really wasn't feeling the first couple of tracks, but as a whole album this was a treat.
7/10 Really good songs, perfectly delivered. Impossible for me to dislike this, although there is the nagging feeling it is a bit of a novelty.
Torture
Bizarrement rétro.
Decent but I found songs sounded similar so bumped it down a bit.
Accurate 50s pastiche, not for me
I really enjoyed it. It's got kind of an Americana bent, and I wouldn't have known ol' boy was BRITISH if I hadn't looked up the album. It's got a very retro feel to it. It's a little jazzybluesyrockabilly in all the right ways. This album makes me feel like I should be driving off into a desert sunset in a convertible with a long scarf around my neck, after murdering my duplicitous husband and his lover after they tried to steal my inheritance. I'm going to get away with it, too, because I'm wearing the perfect shade of red lipstick. I have neither a husband nor an inheritance, but if you ever watch film noir, you smell what I'm steppin' in. Oh, I also don't have a convertible, but that's more of a want than the husband or inheritance. Standout: The Ocean
Het begon een beetje kerst-achtig maar werd wel beter. Denk niet dat ik t nog een keer zou luisteren maar wel goed
beetje saai
Alsof je in een film zit
goed voor als je in een zielige en melancholishe bui bent
My first impression was that this guy was too torchy for me. He sounds like a coroner from the 40s. However, after a few beautifully written and produced songs, Hawley had me hooked! Liked Songs Added: Darlin' Wait For Me The Ocean Born Under A Bad Sign
Beautiful
I feel the need to point out that "Elvis Costello vibes" aren't typically a good thing. So the 5-star review with that as its main justification isn't convincing at all. Fortunately the comparison to Costello is pretty inaccurate (at least in terms of vocals), and the sonic similarities mainly lie in the instrumentation. Much less fortunate is the fact that, unlike Costello, Hawley's contributions to 21st-century music are extremely and consistently dull. Now don't get me wrong: the choice of instruments is pretty solid. We start with an old-Hollywood-esque number that wouldn't be out of place as a love ballad in a musical. So the lyrics are a maybe a little surprising: this isn't about love at all! (At least, not love of a person.) It could feasibly be a Christmas ballad with a few lyrical tweaks. Hotel Room makes you want to sway, dance, maybe shine your phone light back and forth at the concert. The chord progression is the extremely predictable Heart And Soul classic – so it sounds decent until you pay attention and realise there isn't that much cool stuff to pay attention to. With all these underwhelming aspects taken into account, I have to assume Hawley is a lyrical musician to get any level of critical praise – but lyricism isn't something I pay heed to when judging music. (Though, just when I think the soft, understated instruments are this album's main strength, dang it, Who's Going to Shoe Your Pretty Feet shows up without any instruments at all. What am I supposed to with four minutes of soft, mumbled, slow, arrhythmic crooning?) The Ocean isn't *quite* as good as its Led Zeppelin namesake. (Actually, to be honest, the comparison isn't close at all. Zep beats all of these tracks with essentially any track from their own discography.) But Hawley's version is still fine. It really goes all-in on the two-chord thing (I-iii-I-iii-...) which can get pretty repetitive. There isn't much excuse for this lack of innovation in 21st-century inclusions in the list of 1001 most important albums of all time. Later on the record, Tonight appears to do the same thing, but has much fewer interesting things going on sonically. (Wading Through) The Waters of My Time is a dull ripoff of San Tropez (Floyd, Meddle, 1971) – complete with a near-identical guitar melody and sound during the solo. I say "dull" here because it's a heck of a lot less groovy than San Tropez. 2/5 Key tracks: Coles Corner, The Ocean
++: Just Like the Rain, Darlin' Wait for Me, The Ocean, (Wading Through) The Waters of My Time, Last Orders +: Hotel Rome, I Sleep Alone +-: Coles Corner, Born Under a Bad Sign, Tonight, Who's Gonna Shoe Your Pretty Feet? 6,3/10
moyen
Musique chill d'ambiance sympa
Au début très ok puis on se fait chier
What the fuck is blessing my ears? The ocean one of the best songs I have ever heard man what is this?
that was a sweet little album!
It's the 21st Century version of Frank Sinatra, except it's even more boring. God help me. Favorite Track: "New Orders".
This is well-executed, but mostly really samey and quite dull? I was starting to like the alt-country vibes on the last track, but it did not make up for a whole album of Sheffield Man Is Not Johnny Cash.
Mostly harmless. It’s lush and beautiful and I’m somewhat glad it exists. It even grabbed me a couple of times, like The Ocean’s glorious guitar climax or the haunting Last Orders. The exaggerated cowboy songs weren’t particularly up my liking but an overall decent listen.
This music isn’t bad, it’s just unremarkable and generic. Americana, I think it’s called. If someone told me this was an AI generated album I would be in no position to disagree.
What a massive waste of time.
Lovely. I also love this line from the review: "The title immortalises the legendary Sheffield landmark Coles Corner, a popular meeting place of old and new lovers."
A bit boring, but definitely not bad
Haven't gotten all the way through it yet, but I like it so far.
This album sounds old-fashioned and contemporary at the same time, wch is typically a sign that the artist has really internalized the music he's paying homage to. There's a nostalgic quality that suits the theme, and I feel like he does a lot of things well. But it still was mid an interesting listen than a great discovery.
British people sure do love Pulp, don’t they?
This was a really good album!
Never heard of em. Favorites: - The Ocean Thoughts: Not too shabby but not too great. Listen again at some point tho, The Ocean is so fire.
5/10
I can't imagine ever being in the mood for this album
Chill/lowkey.
Desconocía este álbum y al artista. De hecho no iba a escuchar el álbum, pero por cosas del destino, una historia de Instagram con una canción que llamó mi atención me hizo ir a buscarla y resultó ser de este álbum!! Gran coincidencia. La canción era "The ocean". Ahí me decidí a escuchar el álbum completo y fue una gran sorpresa. Lo disfruté mucho.
3.8
I wasn't familiar with his sound, so I didn't know what to expect when I first listened to this album. But it was pretty enjoyable and I'd listen to it again at some point.
Ganska intetsägande i gränslandet mellan singer/songwriter och crooner. En tvåa
cant believe a musician can put a song like 'the ocean' in the middle of an album and then just move on. the people need time to digest a masterpiece
I recognised the voice and style immediately from Elbow's "The Fix" which, honestly, I wasn't a fan of. All in all there were parts of this album I enjoyed, but as a whole it was just so incredibly boring.
I kinda don't give a shit
Doesn’t quite make it with me; a somewhat credible attempt to mirror a mix of folk music & crooner. Strikes me as monotonous & a bit irritating.
Boring, just very boring. Not good, not bad. 2/5
Rigtig fint chamber pop? Synes det var decent, men måske også en anelse forgetable. Tror det er noget jeg skal genbesøge senere.
From the jump, I couldn't tell if Hawley crooned pastiche, authenticity, or a bit of both, but soon realized it didn't really matter. These songs are self-justifiers, every note being the right one, the vibrant one, the dark one, the lonely one. Like Roy Orbison, Hawley's central topic is loneliness, and I find it very cool that we get to have an Orbison of the 21st century, tho there's also some Johnny Cash and Petula Clark in the mix as well. Lyrically, he's where he needs to be, not masterful like Costello or Smokey but good enuf and at times memorable: 'So think of me, when you feel that moon / Oh it calls to me, as it calls to you.' Still, opting for retro has its costs, even if the music is damned good: it's a mood piece, a moody piece, and can be drab.
dette er et av de vakreste albumene noensinne!!! denne skal jeg høre på cd i kveld <3 // hørt to ganger idag. skal nå høre en gang til på cd. for et vakkert album. Fanger noe så romantisk og spesielt og menneskelig. Gir meg en sterk følelse av ro. Det føles ut som om jeg alltid har kjent dette albumet. Så vakre musikalske bilder. høydepunkt: Cole's Corner, Darlin' Wait For Me, The Ocean, I Sleep Alone, Tonight, Who's Gonna Shoe Your Pretty Little Feet
Crooner meets old time music - kinda trite but good singer.
Mostly boring
This album fell through a time portal from 1960 and I am here for it. Some of it sounds like "A Summer Place," some of it sounds like Ricky Nelson, and some of it sounds like country when it was still called country and western. Beautiful lush arrangements all the way through, though it did get a bit samey at times. A really great discovery!
Fantastisk röst! Helt ok album, lite mycket av samma bara. Bra men inte min preferens. Kul att lyssna igenom album som jag aldrig hade hittat om det inte vore för slumpen.
It was ok probably won't listen to again
There were a couple of songs on here that I thought were really good but most of it was nothing too special.
Coles Corner The Ocean
Not bad as I was in mood for some slow music. His voice is good. But it does get boring very quickly. Still a nice listen.
nothing really standout here in my opinion. this album, i thought, almost sounded like american country at some parts, but others it had a nice indie spin to it. it was aight, but nothing i would really come back to. i liked 'The Ocean', but could leave the rest of the album
Slow, steady, easy listening. It’s what Nick Cave could be if he didn’t sing about weird shit.
You know, I thought that this album would be boring, dull, and droll. I wasn't wrong... but it kinda works. It's like a mix of Burt Bacharach and Johnny Cash. Feels like it should have come out of the 60's rather than 2005. Much better than I was expecting overall.
Promising start, feels like the intro to an old animated Disney movie. I’m not American nor British, but the first song kinda sounds like their carols, idk if I’m crazy. Ok second song and this kinda falls apart. Eh, actually kinda chill after that. He nails those Sinatra vibes if that’s what he’s trying to do. But just like the albums from that era, this one suffers from the same problem. The songs sound kinda samey. It’s relaxing, soothing even sometimes, but not that interesting over time. I did pretty much enjoy listening to this, but it’s not really my jam. His voice is nice but it gets monotonous over time. He’s not doing that much with it, to be honest. I feel like he could’ve explored his capabilities in a much broader way. The instrumental is fine for what it is, nice to have as background, no complaints honestly. I like the guitar parts, for example on Tonight. I’m a fan of the blues-leaning songs and a hater of the ones that kinda go to folk but not quite there, it makes sense to me. Overall pretty nice, goods and bads, but a nice experience. I’m surprised honestly.
Surprising!
1. corner - 1.5 2. rain - 1 3. hotel- 1.5 4. uuait - 2 5. ocean - 1.5 6. born - 1 7. alone - 1 8. tonight - 1.5 9. uuaterz - 1.5 10. feet - 2.5 11. orders - 1.5
This is ok, but a bit dull. It’s way more old-school Country and Western than I expected from some bloke from Sheffield.
I really liked his voice actually and I thought it was smooth. Kind of bland and not anything that unique. For an artist that small I’d say a great album
I feel like I need more than one listen of this one to really know how I feel
Good study music
very chill, pretty solid listen
Vintage vibes, strings interesantes. Una voz que me recuerda a alguien, una especie de sinatra moderno? No me llama la atencion por ahora. Medio folk. kinda boring... muy monotono Likes: I sleep alone
I was feeling a bit under the weather today, this was a really lovely tonic, so pleasant and flowing beautifully. Was kind to my head, heart and my soul.
It wasn’t bad, but I’d rather just go listen to the music he’s imitating
Dreamy chamber pop and lounge music from a former Brit Pop musician. It doesn't feel like something that should work but it's actually pretty good. I only wish it had my favorite song of Hawley's, "Tonight the Streets Are Ours". Still a nice album though.
not my vibe lol
15 days into this challenge and i have had the first artist that i've not heard of before (i hope this happens more often). this album is miraculous. i should be working, but i can't stop listening to this. i will seek out more of his stuff after this
What a find! Never heard of Richard Hawley before now. Good baritone voice, and a bit like Morrissey in his singing style.
lovely little listen
sounds pretty lame. no catchy melodies.
this reminds me of johnny cash. such a lovely deep voice with slow music and sad boy lyrics. a little twang
gente? q capa linda FAVS (top 3): coles corner, hotel room, whos going to shoe your pretty feet mençoes hornosas: just like the rain, darlin wait for me, the ocean, tonight, last orders MEU DEUS?? que album lindo do começo ao fim, acho q as q eu n marquei como mençoes hornrosas talvez seja pq n prestei mt atenção mas serio muito belissimo esse album e adorei a voz dele, me conquistou com a capa e com as musicas comentario bonus: de seguida qnd terminou o album o spotify tocou open up your door, outra musica dele, e simplesmente SUPER LINDA estou in love q maravilhoso nota final: 5/5!
Винтажный дух присутствует
Pleasant music, but kind of boring. And it was too long. Crooner stuff can be cool but this misses a little for me.
Bisschen Elvis, bisschen Paul Anka, bisschen Alex Turner. 3-4
I was stumbling into a dusty bar where time stopped.. and.. I just.. kept adding songs to my playlist.. The vocal delivery is absolutely devastating; there’s an almost-spoken tenderness here. It provides a completely fresh vintage ache. Spins: 3 Playlist Additions - Coles Corner - Just Like the Rain - Hotel Room - Darlin' Wait for Me - The Ocean - Born Under a Bad Sign - Tonight
Look at me I’m melancholic
Typically when the Wikipedia description of an album includes that "it was nominated for the Mercury Prize" I buckle up for some real shit. However, I was into this Dad-rock singer-songwriter crooner of a record. At times bleak, at times a bit country I can see myself coming back to this for sure.
Increíble álbum, es el mejor que escuchado hasta ahora de los 1001 Genuinamente se siente que este tipo hizo esta música con mucho respeto y corazón, claro que yes Hay ciertos instrumentales que necesité repetir
Pretty, relaxed, good
couldn’t get through it
Chilled and happy vibes
Singer-songwriter, 65 eme album =>2/5 Pas désagréable mais rien d'original. Morceaux (et album) inutilement longs.
Nice background music but that’s it
Whoa what a surprising little gem this i
Great sometimes but also sounds like Shatner at times
Ovo je kao malo manje nepodnošljiv Nick Cave ili nešto (mrzim Nicka Cavea i nadam se da ga ovim neću prizvati).
Well, that was pleasant. I like the final instrumental of Last Orders.
Costó una banda. Entiendo que debe estar bueno que un artista haga un álbum asi en 2005 pero imagino mejores canciones se hacían antes de este mismo género. 4/10
I'd only ever heard a few Richard Hawley songs before and never really went much deeper (sacreligious considering I used to live in Sheffield) but this is very good. Sounds a lot older than it is but still an interesting take on this style of music. Not sure how often I'd relisten but very enjoyable. Fav tracks: The Ocean, Born Under a Bad Sign, Coles Corner
Really liked it
This was not at all what I was expecting. Don't know what I was expecting but... Nothing stood out, could've died without hearing this but it wasn't bad, just not much to it. 3/5
I really enjoyed this. He felt like a reined in Morrissey. Definitely left me wanting more.
This dude really wishes was a crooner. I found a single song to even be really enjoyable, and the rest of the album was forgettable. Another pick on this list that doesn’t deserve its spot.
전반적으로 무난한 리듬, 무난한 흐름. 잔잔해서 듣고있자면 잠이 온다.
Not quite my cup of tea.
A lovely nostalgic and warm listen. It's so supremely cosy - maybe a little too cosy? - and takes me straight back to the era. Weirdly I'd say the two big singles are the best song (Coles Corner) and the worst (Born Under A Bad Sign), which is just quite cloying.
Heard maybe 10 seconds of the first song then kept skipping to find a good one until there were no songs left.
This whole album feels really derivative and the country numbers are terrible, but this does have its moments. 2.5/5.0: Mixed
hes got a nice voice but this was incredibly boring
Probably my favorite album I have listened to during my journey on this site. It's incredible, it perfectly encapsulates the feeling of love for me. Born under a bad sign is an incredible song. I listened to the whole album twice back to back and I cant wait to listen more.
This one is from a British artist I never heard of until now. The music is mellow, and the tracks range from new age to country to pop. The album could almost have been made in the 1950s. The singing is clear and crisp. My only complaint is with the track “The Ocean”, which mentions the ocean countless times and became annoying.
What's all this then? Never heard of this guy, but it seems like my kind of thing. Good clear voice, nice background music, but ultimately a little too sleepy ("easy listening") for me to really love.
Serious old school crooning in the modern age. Will revisit.
I enjoyed the title track and The Ocean, similar in places to Mark Knopfler which I enjoyed. Probably a higher end 3.
Sounds like that stupid song from love actually that the pop star sings a Christmas version of. Boring.
one of my favorite albums of all time. reminds me of harrisonburg, va and walking on mason street and being at friends houses and printmaking in the studio and watching the banksy doc :)
Didn’t know anyone made this music anymore.
Was a bit scared initially because music from the UK on this list has been so...not great. This album really doesn't portray the vibes the album art gives (at least to me) and I enjoyed living in the moment of listening to it.
UNBELIEVABLY boring !!!!
Others call it slow and boring, I call it calm and beautiful
A surprise to me - a really pleasant soundtrack to my morning commute. Born Under A Bad Sign was pretty Morrissey-esque in the best way. A perfectly comfortable, well-executed record that makes me feel nostalgic and comfy.
Background noise at an Adult Dinner Party(TM)
A ver a ver, yo me pregunto cómo no tiene más reconocimiento este disco de quién fuera guitarrista de Pulp, una de las 4 grandes bandas del britpop que alcanzó popularidad a fines de los 80 y comienzo de los 90, una banda de Sheffield, misma ciudad de donde salió arctic monkeys, para mí está clarísima la influencia que tiene este disco en Alex Turner, y los últimos 2 trabajos de arctic monkeys lo demuestran. Me sorprendió mucho este disco de Soft rock, que suena muy jazzero, sin ser para nada un disco de jazz, pero incluyendo y mezclando elementos de ese género y del blues. Que sonido tan suave y envolvente, es un disco cálido, sencillo y complejo a la vez, con elementos armónicos muy lindos musicalmente y con esa voz grave que lo hace profundo y cálido. Me gustaron muchas cosas, suena clásico, la columna vertebral es una guitarrita, unos teclados que suenan increíble, cuerdas, algunos vientos y para mí todo encaja bien, las canciones me gustaron harto en su construcción, las líneas melódicas, el sonido de los bajos, etc. La batería es muy sutil, va marcando el tiempo con el bombo, usa poquito la caja y con unas percusiones con maracas y otras cositas a los costados. No conocía para nada a este artista y este álbum y me llevo una grata sorpresa. Me gustó el cierre del álbum igual, que para ser un tema instrumental fue muy atmosférico, con poquitos elementos hizo una canción que me generó varias emociones. Dude mucho si ponerle un 3 o un 4 porque creo que está escalones más abajo que Good kid maad city (que le puse un 4), para mí es un 3,5 y como en otros discos redondearé para arriba considerando que hay otros discos que nos han salido que para mí son un par de decimales mejores Canción favorita: the ocean
oh wow, i was really surprised by this. v good
This was cool. Kinda country, kinda Cash. Chill listen. 3.5/5
This was one of the more surprising discoveries since starting this exercise. I really liked it. A very cool record that crosses a lot of genres and in the end defies a singular style…all the while maintaining a timeless cohesive feel. Will definitely be returning to this one.
I really loved this, what a great surprise/discovery. Listened to this twice and saved for future listens. I feel like if someone quizzed you on the release date of this you could rightfully miss by up to 20 years potentially, and I dig what that says about this.
Well performed but over kinda ‘meh’ for me.
A chill listen. I enjoyed it. Need me some dreary weather and a whiskey to fully enjoy. 3.5/5
A perfectly cromulent album. Almost frustratingly generic.
My god this is dull.
Adult contemporary is not my jam, but when this album is at its best (The Ocean, Coles Corner, Born Under a Bad Sign) the song writing is masterful. Yes, this is a rehash of the softer side of 50s rock, but it does do with sincere respect for the source material. The poignant vocals on Coles Corner are incredible. Hawley’s baritone voice is tailor made for the bittersweet balds on display. The sometimes-bittersweet lyrics are appropriate for an album best listened to on a quiet, rainy evening. Overall, this was a pleasant listening experience. Another record where the second listen was better than the first.
I'd never heard of Richard Hawley before but I think I've heard some of the songs before. He's a modern day British crooner and whilst I don't normally listen to that style of music some of it was good, especially the first track 'Coles Corner'. It was easy listening but all the tracks were a bit too similar in musical and vocal style to really stand out from each other.
Pleasant but boring and entirely forgettable
Proto-Arctic Monkeys in a way that feels like an important link in the evolutionary chain
I loved this! the vibe was excellent, and oddly country at times? Born Under a Bad Sign was my fav, but goddd that outro track is heavenly. would be a 5 if a few of the songs didn't kinda tire me, like Tonight
A surprise four for me. I had low-expectations, (2000s, low monthly listens, British) but Hawley's soothing singing was on loop today. 5/5: Yeah I am flipping this to a 5. I have listened to this album too many times to be a 4.
Made me feel things! I don’t listen to enough of this style and genre either.
Pleasantly surprised by this. I won’t pretend I knew who Richard Hawley was until this roll, but I’m glad I do now. I get why “The Ocean” is his top track on most (all?) streaming platforms. It’s interesting and it develops beautifully over the course of its runtime. The decision to include strings as a sort of downtempo attempt at alt rock trends of the 90s and 2000s really worked for me. Listening to the album all the way through and then letting the first track come back on is an extremely rewarding experience. Will probably throw this one on again from time to time.
Really enjoyed this. I love a crooner!
As big of a fan of 'The Car' by Arctic Monkeys I am, I was surprised that this one left me a little bored. There are some good moments here and there, but I found the arrangements pretty sleepy and unimaginative.
I think the best days of doing this are the ones where I have 0 expectations and then get wowed. They're so rare. But something about this album on this day just clicked. I kinda sighed when I saw the cover art because the damn generator has burned me so many times before but I can’t even be flippant because I am actually genuinely astonished by how much I enjoyed this on a first listen. From the moment those first strings hit I was buying what this fella was selling. I’m pretty sure I’ve read Richard Hawley’s name a time or 2 in my Britpop travels, but I was not at all familiar with his game. Love his voice, love these Burt Bacharach-esque arrangements. But with like, just a hint of Roy Orbison or Elvis (Presley or Costello for that matter). Someone in that vein. So many of these songs have that "I wonder who wrote that" pop standard feel to them and I'd swear they were out of the Great American Songbook or something, yet all but one is original. Pretty high key obsessed with this sound and will seek out additional work. Absolutely my favorite "only-listened-to-it-because-this-website-told-me-to" album so far. I’m telling y’all, if I get 10 duds in a row followed by something new that I love, the whole thing is worthwhile.
Richard mate this is good music but I’m not really that into it
It’s a good record. Nothing that is not available other places but it’s solid. Probably wouldn’t seek it out but I am glad I came across it.
-this is objectively a very pretty album. made me feel some serious wistful yearning -that being said it’s not exactly the most interesting album in the world to me. sort of one note, and not all that memorable just from one listen. maybe i’m just biased against this guy somehow? idk -but like i said. very pretty. 3 stars -Favorites: Darlin’ Wait For Me, I Sleep Alone
Beautifully relaxing put me in genuine flowstate for like 5 hours. Gorgeous piece of music.
Calm, but doesn't feel purposely calm
Hipster listening, Leonard Cohen with an English rockabilly vibe. There’s no twang, but it’s implied. Check out the expanded 20th anniversary edition, which has a cover of my dad’s favorite Everly Brothers song “I’m Just Here To Get My Baby Out Of Jail.”
It's okay, but it makes me question how this record is on this list. There's nothing inherently captivating about this record. It gets a little weird past the half way point too. Favourite Track(s): Coles Corner, Just Like The Rain Least Favourite Track(s): Who's Going to Shoe Your Pretty Feet
Surpreendentemente gostei muito. Apesar de nao ser o tipo de pessoa que costuma atribuir sentimentos pessoais a musicas, estava no lugar exato para me identificar com as letras, o que me fez gostar mais do album do que teria gostado em outras circumstancias. Com isso dito, acredito que minha parte favorita do album seria os instrumentais das faixas, mesmo tendo gostado muito da voz do cantor :) tbm acho que a capa encapsula perfeitamente a vibe do album. Gostei muito como um todo
A canção titular do álbum encapsula bem sua proposta: Uma nostalgia-trip delicadamente produzida. Não é tão inspirador assim pra mim particularmente, mas dá pra curtir. A voz dele é suave como seda, e por menos imaginativo que o conceito proposto seja, é indubitavelmente agradável de se ouvir, completamente inofensivo aos ouvidos. Mas por mais reconfortante e agradável que seja a escuta desse disco, ainda o achei um pouco entediante em momentos. A pegada de easy-listening nem sempre me conquista por completo, e muitas vezes acaba se tornando música de fundo para mim. A capa do álbum é linda. 3/5
Lovely album.
enjoyed it
The orchestral arrangements in this are fantastic
A very pleasant and well Produced singer songwriter record. A little post rocky/alternative but very dry pretry
A lovely album if a little languid in parts. Hawley’s music oozes style and this is definitely his best work. I have to be in the right mood to listen to this, but it’s a decent time.
0/16 bekannt 6/10 Beste Songs: Girls & Boys, Bank Holiday, magic america
3 stars
Okay, interesting. Late century crooners are not exactly my jam, but I do appreciate that Richard is not a mediocre rock band, and that ought to be good for at least three stars.
Flawless perfection
Didn’t really stand out to me
This is sort of an odd, sleepy, semi-crooner record that I didn't really expect. He's got a good voice but the songs are sort of simple and plain. He delivers them well though. But I'm not exactly sure who this album is for. It came out in 2005 but if you told me this was from the early 60s I wouldn't have questioned that. There are some interesting things going on but I don't think I would really recommend it to anyone. It's not bad, it's not great, it just is. 2.5/5
This was easy to listen to
Effortlessly smooth baritone performed over a solid set of songs.
Boring
Too slow for me. Liked The Ocean
Like if Lord Huron met Albert Hammond with a Frank Sinatra tone
I was really ready not to like this but was pleasantly surprised. Love when that happens. I got Leonard Cohen vibes... but less dark. Great late night listen.
Coles Corner is an album that wears its heart very openly. It is steeped in romance, nostalgia, and a deep sense of place, and you can hear Hawley’s love for classic songwriting in every detail. The production is warm and unfussy, letting the songs breathe and giving them a timeless quality that feels deliberately old-fashioned without slipping into pastiche. It is the kind of record that invites you to slow down and actually sit with it. Hawley’s voice is central to why this works. There is a calm, almost conversational intimacy to his delivery that makes even the most sentimental moments feel sincere. Tracks like “Coles Corner,” “Tonight the Streets Are Ours,” and “Born Under a Bad Sign” capture that late-night feeling of quiet streets and half-remembered conversations. The arrangements are restrained but elegant, with gentle strings and guitar lines that serve the songs rather than overpower them. If there is a drawback, it is that the album’s mood is so consistent that it can verge on sameness. The tone rarely shifts far from its romantic melancholy, which might leave some listeners wanting a bit more contrast. Still, as a complete piece, Coles Corner is beautifully realised. It is thoughtful, tender, and carefully crafted, the sound of someone fully committed to a particular mood and seeing it through with real grace.
this record is Tylenol PM. Maybe I just don't get it. "I Sleep Alone" could be used during a movie montage...that's something, I guess?
Whatba beautiful, beautiful album. I was aware of Richard Hawley before as he is one of the main names of Sheffield music scene, but this album always gets me. The instrumental is gorgeous and the story he tells are always nice to listen to. I know it is an outlier, but this is a 5 star album. I know it might not be mega relavant, but this is a necessary album . "Ring 999, Richard Hawley has just been robbed"Alex Turner
well this was just lovely. moody and beautiful and really pleasant to listen to. <3 i put it off for a few weeks because i thought it sounded dull. how wrong i was!!!
never heard of this but it was a very nice listen. sounds like something out of the 1950s with the crooner voice and big band instrumentation... i was shocked to see it's from 2005. very nice and got two listens from me. Favorites: coles corner, just like the rain, darlin wait for me, the ocean, born under a bad sign, last orders
Приятная музыка, когда сидишь где-нибудь в кафе, но точно не для прослушивания дома.
Really good.
Kind of depressing. But not horrible.
Incredible, sophisticated, and very surprising. I had no idea who Richard Hawley was before getting the book. Initially this album didn't leave any impression on me. I thought it sounded too country or americana. Later, after I became a huge Scott Walker fan, I rediscovered this and the similarities are uncanny really. Of course, Hawley lacks Walker's lyrical prowess, opting for painting simpler, more mundane pictures of love and urban life, but the songwriting is almost as sophisticated. Marvellous arrangements and atmosphere throughout, like a nighttime version of The Divine Comedy. A true hidden gem. Key tracks: Coles Corner Just Like the Rain The Ocean Born Under a Bad Sign
Great singing voice. This came across as quite melancholic. Not my particular taste.
Very calming, peaceful, and at times even dreamy. It’s a very cozy and snug album overall. This is another one of those records that makes you want to curl up with a hot chocolate and watch the rain while it plays. It sounds like the kind of album our grandparents would have slow danced to in their kitchen in the 1950s. Hawley blends elements of country, 40s–50s rock, and a few other influences into this warm album. However I am wondering why is this even on the list? It's not bad but it's not the most interesting piece of music i've ever heard, can be a bit boring at times. It doesn't feel too special or impactful for me, I mean not sure how this was so inspirational, especially since it came out int 2005. Maybe Arctic Monkeys got something from this? I heard they both come from Sheffield an worked together in the past, well maybe so. A few songs that really stand out for me are Coles Corner, Darlin' Wait for Me, The Ocean, Born Under a Bad Sign and Last Orders are pretty good.
I really like this
Didn’t think I would like this when I read the Wikipedia but was pleasantly surprised - maybe I’m influenced by the snowy morning when I listened to this but it sounds very nostalgic and Christmas snowy winter vibes to me - would put this on at like a family party - not my usual genre - would give a 3.5
Wow this was beautiful. I always wanted to spend more time with Richard Hawley - always heard his singles and thought he sounds great. This was so pure and brilliant though. Beautiful simple songwriting. And I just love the way that songwriting is packaged here. The production choices are so tactful and simple but clean and pure and beautiful. Awesome record
The voice is lovely but stays safe all the way through. Ended up too gentle for me.
I do love a crooner, great songs
Started off liking this - nice voice - but after a while realised I'd stopped listening. It's just too bland.
I wondered whether my opinion of Richard Hawley might have changed in the 10 years since I saw him at Cardiff Student Union. I am much more into crooners now than I was a decade ago, and it’s true that some of Hawley’s romantic, mellow style sits more comfortably with me now but even accounting for genre his music is extremely uneventful. His fans hail Cole’s Corner as the best of his LPs so I can only imagine how little happens on a typical album! There’s a nice, swaying lyrical nature to it but I’d prefer to be listening to a grander, more detailed Elbow album.
Never stopped being lovely for me, maybe it’s caught me in the right mood at the right time of year but a tentative low 4 for me, certainly repetitive and could easily track as bland but to me right now it feels warm, emotive, and elegant - will be digging this out over the winter a fair bit I think and will check out his other work
A bit insipid and generic. OK for background music. 5/10
I'm sure he is talented but I just found it a boring listen. I sometimes liked his guitar work. His voice is soft and low but stylistically there was nothing engaging in his singing. Some of the lyrics were well turned phrases but overall just too sleepy for me.
Inoffensive. Sinatra-adjacent while being neighbors with Johnny Cash.
Mystic Seaport rock
A really pleasant album from an artist that is new to me. His voice and mellow singing fits very well with the jazz and country feeling a lot of the songs have. I think I'm gonna listen through it once more today!
A really pleasant bit of early 60’s nostalgia. His voice is great and the lyrics are impactful. The perfect album for washing the dishes in the dark. Favorites were Coles Corner, Just Like The Rain, The Ocean, Born Under A Bad Sign, and Tonight.
"I said 'That's nothing, you should hear me play piano.'" The Queen Is Dead, Morrissey In 1999, I saw R.E.M. on the Up tour, when Michael Stipe came out and ham-fistedly strummed his way through Why Not Smile. What could have been a moment of fragile sincerity - or even a brief shift in atmosphere - was simply awful. He could not do it. It was no good. The song was hardly essential, and the whole thing wasted my time, the band’s time, everyone’s time. They could have played Welcome to the Occupation. Peter Buck’s solo album where he barks unpleasantly is not half as bad, largely because nobody expected a good time from it. But Stipe’s performance revealed something striking: a man with such a good ear, who had spent twenty years as a professional musician alongside other professionals, had somehow absorbed no musicality through osmosis. A three-chord song should not be that hard to stumble through. But pop music has never relied solely on musicality. Stipe and Morrissey are both excellent melodicists in their own ways - one more limited than the other, perhaps - but each has always needed a co-writer to give them a harmonic shape, something on guitar or piano over which they can instinctively weave a melody. If they loved music so much - and clearly they did - they could have spent their teenage years learning chord shapes and lead runs. But if Morrissey had used that time learning New York Dolls riffs, when would he have read Elizabeth Smart and Shelagh Delaney? A front person needs personality, persona, passion. There are always other dorks available to play the instruments. You would not want young Johnny Marr wasting his youth on becoming well-read. Listening to Born Under a Bad Sign, I was struck by how much it sounded - with its low, purring melody circling a handful of notes - like Morrissey solo. Morrissey truly solo. As if he were more focused on the few acoustic guitar chords he might know than on being mercurial and erudite on top. With nobody to support him. A bit like now, really. Marr ultimately left the Smiths over Morrissey’s insistence on covering Work is a Four Letter Word, and then came the sticky final music-hall mess of I Keep Mine Hidden. Without Marr’s tempering instinct, the Smiths would have been nothing but sixties pop pastiche - and that is assuming Morrissey could even have played enough to manage that much. I do not know whether Richard Hawley realises that his music skirts parody of Roy Orbison and Tony Christie, that those strings are lifted almost directly from Van Morrison’s Have I Told You Lately. Or does he believe he arrived at all this himself, after long adolescent hours hunched over an acoustic guitar, rather than through the development of a personality? Of any inner life to share with us, rather than simple, uninspired generalisations. Perhaps Morrissey and Morrison fared badly in the personality stakes in the long run. But we listen to records, not late interviews. 2 I really appreciate the risk that Richard Hawley takes here. He is going for an old-timey timelessness in his songwriting without giving himself the protection of any sense of irony or pastiche. The music aims to be simply beautiful without show of cleverness. The lyrics are written as if no one has ever written a lyric before: _Darlin’ wait for me By your gate In the evening light, Ah I just can't wait For I have to go, In the morning too soon So honey don't you cry, I'll be back here soon._ (Darlin’ wait for me) And Richard hangs this sort of thing out there without nudge or wink. Forgets that he is mates with Jarvis Cocker. Ignores that he’s from Sheffield (‘The Ocean’) The whole thing is an unabashed shoot for the songwriting moon. Well that’s the way to do it. I wish there were a hundred Richard Hawleys. However, I don’t necessarily wish for their records to be released. This type of simplicity is actually really hard to do well. Bob Dylan is very good at it - I thought about Time Out of Mind at different times while listening to Coles Corner. That’s an unreasonable example of course, you don’t have to be the best songwriter there has ever been to write a good, sweet simple song. What Dylan in particular has in abundance though is exactly what Hawley is missing; lightness of touch. Hawley’s work is wholesome but a bit of a chore to get through; a sermon of songwriting rather than an illuminating anecdote. I dare say with a few more listens there are melodies on this album that would creep up on me and win Hawley’s efforts more affection. As it is, I listened to the last couple of tracks where Hawley makes a sort of musical claim that there is some sort of transcendence in this project and I was completely unconvinced. He didn’t earn the right to throw crawling, heavily reverbed piano stabs at me at the conclusion. But nice try. 2/5
At first I thought, oh can't go wrong with an orchestra but the orchestral parts weren't substantial. This guy has a lovely, warm voice. I wish there was more movement in the string instruments and piano, it's kinda basic. This is pleasant enough to be good background music but not interesting enough to be a focal point, I feel like I need to be doing something else while listening. The production quality and mixing sounds clean and polished.
Pre listen thoughts: OH HELL YEAAAAH. I was sent The Ocean years ago and have been in love with that song. I think I’ve listened to this full album before, we shall see. That slide guitar mmmmmph. Folky, twang in all the right ways. Classic soul vocals, surfy, orchestral, deliciousness. All of the instrument tones are so fucking juicy and mixed so nicely. And the song compositions are fantastic and nice to listen to. Definitely atmospheric as well. This music is bringing me to another world. Really enjoy listening to this. Actually listening through for a second time. Yeah I fucking love this. Dreamy. Makes me happy. 5/5