Coles Corner

The Ocean is really good. Richard Hawley does well here, but aside from the single-worthy The Ocean, there's not much here to bring me back.

Song writing won me over. Very reminiscent of Johnny Cash.

Surprised by this album. Didn't think I would be into it but it's a nice pleasant listen this morning at work.

Sounds exactly like Johnny Cash

Sorry, but I just don't get it.

Enjoyable!

3.5/5. I have a feeling that this was a big influence on Sheffield native Alex Turner.

Album is okay. The guy has a deep baritone voice.

This is the first album that's been totally new to me, no context, no familiarity. Feels classic, like atmosphere music. Nice touches.

Never heard of this guy but it was a pretty solid album. Need to be in a specific mood for it though.

Possibly the best Christmas music I’ve heard, but still Christmas music…

An aggressively fine album.

Having read previous reviews, I was hoping that we'd get past the oppressively vanilla, blue-eyed soul vibe... but it never went away. It just got more and more bland and boring. Overblown production, underwhelming performances, and bland songwriting. There's just... nothing of value on display. I fail to see the point of having it here other than to pad the already significant number of British blue-eyed soul albums on the list.

Sucks balls

not for me

Surprisingly enjoyable. Maybe just caught me at a weak moment ! 3*

A bit dreary.

Meni vähä ohi, jotai kolmosta ja kakkosta

Chill

Nice

easy listening, would listen to again, easily one of the best I've listened to in this journey.

50 jaar te laat gereleased, maar kon er wel van genieten.

Really not my thing

Nice mellow album! Did not know this guy used to play in Pulp. While I like the styles and overall playing, it does become a bit stale after a while. 7 out of 10

Ich habe keine Zeit mehr für mehr unteres britisches Mittelmaß. Sentimentaler letztes Drittel des Lebens-Country. Der Sänger trifft ungefähr die Hälfte der Töne.

"the ocean" is really friggin good go give that one a spin. really pleased overall with this album! i liked the album cover, however i decided to keep my expectations low. but even if i raised them high this still would've matched them. well worth your time.

Ugh. Hated it

Smörsångare!

Essential Tracks: Cole’s Corner (Playlist) Just Like the Rain

doesn't even have his big hit on.

Aye

Not what I was expecting at all… could be one of those Starbucks records. Some nice background music.

While it may not be completely for me, this is a great mood album with swelling strings and landscaped tracks that take the listener on a somber journey. In some cases it’s like a Tom Waits record produced by Phil Spector.

I can definitely get down with this melancholic, sad cowboy, “Keep the whiskey coming, barkeep,” type shit.

Not particularly Memorable.

This was so pleasant and cool. Full of torch songs and often reminded me of Scott Walker or Johnny Cash's American Recordings. Great recommendation.

I appreciate Richard Hawley far more as a producer and sessions artist than I do a songwriter. It's easy on the ears, it's an overall enjoyable listen back to back, but nothing spectacular, and often lacking any identity or focus.

After the first 15 seconds I was prepared to skip this album...but I'm glad I didn't, this was a joy to listen to. Really enjoyed it.

This was pretty good. I had low expectations for this, so that probably helped.

Very nice, chill background music.

I typically like this kind of music but I just can’t stand the dude’s voice. Too much of a crooner.

Didnt hate it but it was boring

The atmosphere and the vocals go hand in hand on this one. 'The Ocean' has been stuck in my mind the last 5 years, and I don't think it will ever unstuck.

I was only aware of Richard Hawley by name so this really hit me out of nowhere. Beautifully composed and atmospheric - Hawley’s vocals and his melodies really go together like bread and butter. Minus one star for not bothering shooting the album cover photo at the actual Coles Corner. Lazy much?

Kinda hit tbh

The first half of the album makes me feel like I'm happily strolling down the street, mingling with friends, kissing my wife, etc. in a Hallmark movie montage. It slows down a little in the back half and took me to more of a Better Call Saul episode black and white opening scene. With the early songs strumming in the background of my head, somewhere about halfway through "The Waters of My Time" it struck me that if John Mayer and Johnny Cash had a musically talented British love child, he might sound a lot like Richard Hawley. There's nothing particularly revolutionary about this album, but it's good listening.

Fell asleep

It's a 3.5 star album, but a 4 star artist for me. It's great mood music for the fall and I love the vibes.

Album started pretty decent! I was a little excited for this album and artist I had never heard of. Then I was transported into a time warp where my concept of minutes and seconds was skewed, and I felt dizzy. Just time slowing down every so slightly with every passing second — or was it a minute? I’m not sure. I’m along for the ride. I don’t fight it. Grooving alone I find myself wondering how long the first song is… kinda feels like 46 minutes and 17 seconds. Before I know it, I hear the opening of the album again. A reprise? Nay. The album had repeated, and I realized the songs were entirely indistinguishable from one another, and time had traveled as normal. Much to my dismay since I was at work, and the previous five hour long journey I thought I had taken only took… 46 minutes and 17 seconds. 2/5 because the beginning is a bit of a bop.

I was torn on whether this sounded more like Johnny Cash or Frank Sinatra, but there were some serious retro vibes going on here. It could have all fallen apart, but the backing music was spot on and the vocal performance was suitably underplayed. It all came together to make this sit nicely together. I'm still not sure if this album needed to be made in the early 2000s, but it was pleasant enough to earn 3 stats from me even though it was slow and not a genre I'm terribly interested in.

it’s ok!

This is lovely record - proper croonery. Favourite tracks: Coles Corner, Born Under A Bad Sign, Just Like The Rain, Last Orders.

The only track of Richard Hawley I ever liked was Tonight The Streets Are Ours, but it's not on this album. I found this album to be disappointing, had the promise of easy listening... only to border very noticeably toward country (dangerous territory)

Only know one track off this album but the whole thing is great. Beautiful, classy, easy listening from start to finish.

Boring.

Sounds older than it is. I was not convinced when the first track began, and it never really hooked me. I do like some slower, softer albums, but this just isn't for me. 2.5/5

Total snooze fest. Didn't even realize it was over for half an hour.

The least classic album

A primitive, underwhelming effort (or absence thereof), that's as rife with cliches, as it is with it's lack of ambition. This album sounds more like a phoned in contractual obligation to a record label than an output of creative expression. F

If I was in the mood for this type of music, and I frequently am, why would I not just play Johnny Cash? Could have been so much more but missed and became nothing special.

Absolutely delightful

3.5/5

Can here the overlap with Pulp. Not my thing.

Beautiful. Heartfelt. I’m probably not going to remember much about it.

After a run of albums that are arguably must listen, even if I didn’t like all of them, we get this trendoid crap. Released in 2005. Won awards. Completely forgotten by 2006. I’m sure there’s a coterie of people holding onto this as they try and hold on to their thinning hair, trying to live in a place where it’s always 2005 and wondering why it doesn’t have the resonance of 1968 or 1992. Not as bad as I’m making it out. But nowhere near ‘must-listen’.

Soothing cinematic opening, warm strains, evoking a dark, softly lit and red carpeted jazz lounge. Not a jarring moment - well produced, after a gentle country moment, it returns to full stylistic form, before a fine exit. On the 2nd listen its like a male analog of Petula Clark, with Karen Carpenter perhaps. I am surpised I didnt find it corny. It is relaxing. I am not sure how this made it onto the list, but it is very listenable. And not at all challenging. If the role of Art is to uplift, provoke, soothe, entertain and educate , this ticks one box nicely. Why havent I heard of Mr Hawley?

I have never before listened to Richard Hawley. It’s quite a surprise to hear a voice recorded in this century but so clearly rooted in the last. That’s fine for me, because that’s where I’m rooted (in the best sense of the word). I reckon I’d only need to listen to this album a couple more times to fall in love with it. It’s not the greatest voice, but I love his songwriting. The strings that open the title track, & the album, are so 50’s. A time when singers thought that recording with strings meant they’d made it (I seem to remember even Ray Charles to some extent had that attitude. For Chrissake!) But Hawley refuses to be tied to a genre. (Wading Through) The Waters Of My Time is pure country, complete with beautiful lap-steel guitar, which he provides. In fact, there is so much tasteful instrumentation here. There’s 70’s singer-songwriter stuff, that is never anything but interesting. I love this record.

hmm, what? Sorry, just fell asleep for a bit there. Yeah, cool record collection, bro.

I was enjoying the first two-thirds of this album, and then it just lost my interest. I'm not sure if it's because it started sounding uninspired, or if I wasn't a fan of the compositional style at that point. All I know was that at one point, his voice started droning to me. Normally I like the "sleepy" folk stuff, but the last few tracks were not it. The first 7 or 8 songs, though - those were really nice and added to my library.

Latte alle ginocchiaaaa

Sounds like an impression of Seth MacFarlane's impression of Frank Sinatra. Like something they'd play in Family Guy for a single gag. People who listen to this in their free time are scarier to me than people who listen to harsh noise wall. Too many words. Here's my reaction summed up in three emojis: 😴😴😴

So this is a sweet little record, with a few GREAT tracks on it, but its like the opposite of visionary. Struggling to see how this made the list, despite my personal enjoyment of it 3/5

1950s Country music lullabies from...erm... Sheffield in 2005. The musical equivalent of a hug and a cup of cocoa in front of the fire on a cold winter's day.

Slow and lumbering. Like the worst Christmas album, without any of the jingles, that someone puts on in August

Elvis if he wasn't as good and only did bad country

Niks mis mee, hij heeft een fijne stem, prettige rustige muziek, maar heel boeiend vind ik het nou ook weer niet.

I'm not sure how I feel about this. It's pleasant but not that engaging for me.

Very old sounding, but in a good way.

This is somebody's jam, but not mine. Bit of a snoozefest

Love it so far. It's like Johnny Cash with older 50's/60's music. Very heartfelt and heartwarming

Decent enough

Rikit trevligt

Pretty :) kinda mad that this was nominated for a Mercury Prize though

Chill

In it's genre it's a leader. You just have to like the genre.....

This is quite an incredible album and Hawley does the broad retro sound PERFECTLY.

The bits I skimmed through sounded flawless. I just don't find it very interesting.

Quaint

first time listening

twas nice! got a bit too slow on the back end but a lovely album nonetheless! fave: the opener was so gorg! least faces? last few songs so sleepy would I listen again? totally if me shleepies

3.5 pewnie

"The Ocean" feels like a dream ☺️🌊 very calm album

brilliant songwriting and a great sound - like a modern roy orbison! best tracks: just like the rain, born under a bad sign, hotel room

Fav: Darlin wait for me Least fav: who’s going to show your pretty feet

Melancholy and meditative. Somewhat reminiscent of early Johnny Cash.

Bizarrely anachronistic.

This was pretty good. I felt like it was a bit Sinatra style, perhaps that feelint was enhanced by the cover. It's a bit melancholic to play at any occasion, but would be able to listen to again.

High 3. I really liked some of the songs and was about to give it a 4, but then it veered too much into country with The Waters of My Time. Was it very exciting? No. But I enjoyed (most of) it.

Coles Corner is the fourth album from English pop/rock musician Richard Hawley. This chamber pop / art rock album was a critical success and a beautiful old-fashioned piece of emotional songs. Richard Hawley used vintage sounds to create a retro vibe while mixing in genres of country, early rock, jazz, and blues. I enjoyed the gorgeous, chilled-out sound from this album and think this is a wonderful album. Don't skip out on listening to this masterpiece.

A modern day throwback album. Nostalgic in a totally alien way. Pretty boring, but not grating, like a ferris wheel ride.

3 1/2, maybe even 3 3/4 stars, so rounding up.

A super nice album to listen to in its entirety. Remembering good times with the velvet voice of Richard Hawley.

Val Doonican was far too much of a feature of TV growing up for me to have any positive feelings about this type of music I'm afraid. There were, maybe, two slightly brighter moments and I think that just about - and it is just about - saves it from my first 1 star. If I hadn't given that My Bloody Valentine record 2 stars then this might have fallen - as it is it joins it as the worst thing I've listened to on this list I'm afraid. It's probably genius, but I quite actively dislike it.

This was good. Bluesy.

Chill Sheffield Elvis. Wish there was at least one more upbeat song but that's selfish of me. I enjoyed it. Particularly hotel room and wading through the waters of my time. It's a very high 3 from me.

This wasn't terrible, but largely forgettable.

2006 Mercury Prize nominee. Eclectic range of instruments. I like the violins on 'Coles Corner'! His voice seems pretty good: I only ever heard Jarvis Cocker on Pulp's music. The lyrics make reference to the purpose of the real-life Coles Corner as being an area to meet a future lover. First impression after the first song is that this will be a 4. 'I Sleep Alone' reminds me of the song 'Lightning Bolt' by Jake Bugg. I rather like the instrumental track 'Last Orders'. A wide-reaching range of genres seem to have influenced this album but it is still cohesive overall. Presumably due to the genres that have influenced it, 'Coles Corner' sounds rather old. Nevertheless, it comes across as rather repetitive. This sounds like slimmed-down, mass-produced Radiohead in parts. This album, at other times, sounds part-indie-rock, part-old-time-country. It's not really my kind of music (whatever it is, it's not Pulp), but I like the background instruments. Best songs: 'Just Like the Rain', 'Hotel Room', 'Born Under a Bad Sign', 'Tonight', 'Last Orders'. Favourite track: 'Last Orders'. 7/10. I debated giving it a 6.5 and a 3, but I'll give it a 4/5 -- it was nominated for the Mercury Prize (did it deserve to be nominated, however...? I think so, to be honest, but I would have preferred if Keane's 'Under the Iron Sea' was), I like the album's instrumentation, and it's an easy listen. Most importantly, it sounds like an album that could easily be adapted for the piano/flute (both of which I play). It seems to be possible to take the album's Spotify link, paste it in to the search bar after '1001albumsgenerator.com' and it will lead to the album? Worked for 'The ArchAndroid'.

Pleasant. Simply pleasant.

I’m not sure that this should be the Richard Hawley album we review. Let me tell you why. It’s 2003! I’m listening to a radio show where every week they play a new album in its entirety – I suppose so that people can listen and decide whether they’ll go out and buy it. In the days when people still bought albums. They played Richard Hawley’s Lowedges and the impact was so forceful and instantaneous, I immediately went out to buy it. It’s haunting and wistful and just darned beautiful and I can still listen to it and hardly find a dud moment. He is a master of the noir lullaby. When Coles Corner came up this morning, i hadn’t listened to either album in a long while so I decided to listen to Lowedges first. If CC is supposed to be a better album, then I wanted to hear the progression and find out where the improvements lay. CC is still a beautiful album. Richard Hawley at times sounds like Roy Orbison or Glenn Campbell. A crooner for our times. But Lowedges was RH going out on his own, flying solo from all the bands that he’d played with previously and finding his own style. It was a revelation. Easily a 4.5. And you can hear why he went on to score music and TV. He manages to sound old-fashioned and ahead of his time simultaneously. CC the album did not have that same impact on me; it’s floaty and gentle and full of love, but not as haunting. He’s more mature, but does that make the music better? There are some standout songs but they all seem to merge after a while. For me, this is a 3.5. But for the fact that I listened to two RH albums in one day and felt blissfully mellow afterwards I commend him.

I enjoy this style of music and there was nothing technically bad about the album but I didn’t connect with his voice and so my rating reflects my indifference.

Like a perfectly coiffed head of hair, not a strand is out of place on this album. But it elicited about as much emotion as a good hairdo. This is one inclusion I questioned — what makes this a must listen? I didn't dislike it, it was just so safe.

This was nice. He's got a great, easy, natural voice. The music reminded me of The Flatlanders and k.d.Lang. Simple arrangements and production, trusting in the guy's voice and the quality of the songwriting to bring the songs home. What's not to like? I look forward to hearing more.

okay, need to listen again, didn’t feel it much

Gähn. Ich sehe, was er da macht, aber die Melange gefällt mir nicht.

I hit play on Spotify but then I had to leave and I didn't come back until the recommendations were playing. Based on the recommendations I knew I wasn't going to like this. Just pretty boring overall. Maybe if it came out 70 years ago I'd feel differently. 2.5 stars

FAV OF ALL TIMES 💜

From Frank Sinatra to Roy Orbison. From Johnny Cash to Elvis.

Pretty boring chamber pop. There's a LOT of stuff in the genre I prefer to this.

A lifeless blob of an album.

He has a very nice sort of jazzy voice but the music it is over is much less interesting than most jazz. This album did not really suit my tastes, I found it overlong, slow, and low key.

This album really surprised me. Never hear dog him before or any of the tunes. Really great start especially on a Sunday morning. I did find it slowed right down towards the end but overall I'll probably listen again.

This album strives to be a timeless classic and almost makes it. But it's not quite good enough to be great, but also not camp enough to be lovable, which leaves us in an awkward middle space. The music is pleasant enough and creates a nice cozy mood playing in the background but I don't really get why this album is on this list. 2.5

I mean it’s fine.It’s slow melancholy blues.It sounds like it could be from the 70s.Not much to remember.

I was expecting not to like this, having heard bits of Hawley on the radio. Which is odd, as this really reminded me of listening to the radio late at night, with a mix of the shipping forecast (particularly Last Orders) and Radio 2 easy listening. I guess it's all about context - this really hit my mood on a grey Thursday work morning, taking me somewhere else, a pleasant pseudo-nostalgia. Not sure I would play this a lot, but I did enjoy it and can see what he was trying to do. And I loved the Last track.

I honestly think Richard Hawley is on par with Elvis. No shit. I rate him that highly. A peerless working class songwriter with a voice of velvet. Coles Corner is his masterpiece. Hawley achieves the rare feat of writing songs that actually suit his voice. There's a rhythm in the vocal delivery that matches the music. Plus he's cool as fuck. Which always helps.

I liked it. The highs on this make for some absolutely stunning pieces of music (see the title track and The Ocean), which execute the vision of the album to perfection. It sounds like a great and modernized recapitulation of the 50s crooner style, but that unfortunately comes with its downsides at times, when the songs can become a bit cheesy, and a few of the more ambient tracks lost me a bit. Overall the content is good, however, and I definitely can recommend at least some songs as wholeheartedly great.

Pretty damn good. Great music, some lulls, but overall lovely music.

I really love this chamber pop style, which is the same reason I went against the tide and gave A Short Album About Love by The Divine Comedy a 5, horse lyrics and all. I really don't understand why people take music like that so seriously... any way, Coles Corner! I don't love this as much as that album, but this is still extremely good! I just believe it may have gone on a tad long overall, and some of the more guitar heavy songs weren't nearly as enjoyable as the more orchestral sound of the rest of the album. A lot of it reminds me of less so Sintra like a lot of people are saying and more so Roy Orbison if his voice was lower and not quite as vibratto-y. Any way, still very good, just maybe too big for its britches.

Not sure why this was made, let alone what it is doing in the book. Made 50 years and 10,000km away from when and where it should be.

I thought this album was very calming and pretty cool.

I really dug this

It was ok

Soft listen but nothing more than background music. A less impactful version of Johnny Cash.

Decent Singer/Songwriter Pop/Rock Fuse that is enjoyable but fast forgotten

It's not bad. I wasn't really sure what to expect here, but I was not expecting a simple crooner. Decent. I would have liked to have heard him tackle a standard or two. Because again, the songs start to sound the same after a while. There's a bit of blandness after a while. After a while I was all "great, what else do you have?" Maybe the whole shuffle thing on Spotify and other electronic devices ruined my patience for these type of records. I'm just expecting... more.

So was everyone in the UK during the mid-2000's going with a throwback sound? It's kind of a shame I got this two albums after that Arctic Monkeys-Rascals collaboration. Hawley is channeling his best Sinatra on the opening, title track. And I gotta say I loved it - really beautiful. Ditto Hotel Room, Darlin Wait for Me, Born Under a Bad Sign, and Just Tonight. Just something about the tempo and his voice. Almost a Morrissey bend to it. I didn't love his more country-sounding Just Like the Rain or The Waters of My Time, though I Sleep Alone was kinda cool. And the Ocean, while softer tempo, wasn't quite the same or as good as some of the other softies. All in all it was really beautifully (and simply) done, punctuated by his instrumental closer Last Orders. Pleasantly surprised.

"The Ocean" is a really great song. This is a much different sound than what I would expect from an album by a guy who was briefly in Pulp. I find the music to be fairly slow, but still engaging. While I did enjoy this album, I don't know how it belongs on this list.

Nice…inoffensive…boring. Pick this to spice up a hotel lobby over the normal muzak. Or maybe tot fall asleep.

This was a little bit of a snooze to me. Some songs were fairly lovely, but I can't say this left much of an impression, writing this the day after my listen.

Boring

Best Song: The Ocean. Beautiful, sonorous voice. This song would fit well in any Leonard Cohen album. Worst Song: (Wading Through) The Waters of my Time. Not a fan of this sleepy rockabilly. Seems like it was made for old people to sway along to, slapping their thighs out of rhythm and trying to forget death. Overall: An alright album that toes the line between listenable throwback and parlor room camp. Wouldn't go back and listen to the whole album, but there are a few choice tracks that aren't bad.

Super, super langweilig

This whole album reminded me of a few different buskers I encountered lifetimes ago at Granville Skytrain station in Vancouver as I came and went from the downtown core - not particularly horrid, but off-kilter in so many ways. The Skytrain station buskers were made more interesting, however, by the perpetual smell of piss and commuters. I have very little interest in ever revisiting this.

I am not familiar with this artist at all. Yay! Finally. sounds British and croony and sad. Which is fine. Like American Music Club, minus the British. AMC...That's a cool fucking band. San Francisco. Great album. First minute that is what this reminds me of. So I might just like it.... i get a little Pulp, some Morrissey, Nick Cave and a Bad Seed or 2, Blur maybe? the schmaltzier (and good) Arctic Monkey songs.... quick google... mothafucka was in Pulp. Good call KD! and the LongPigs! Who da fuck The Long Pigs? This is fine. I like it. I will be a Richard Hawley fan when I feel like it. I learned something today. What did you learn?

I have to really hate an album before I give it one star, and I didn't actually hate it , just found it totally bland and uninspiring. There must be reasons why someone would make such an album, and why so many people seem to like it or equally that somebody thought about including it in a list of top albums. I just cant understand them. 1.5/5 at best

"Tonight" was the standout song that I've been listening to on repeat. The rest was a good listen. It reminded me a bit of Andy Williams and others of that time/genre. That's not necessarily a bad thing.

Not completely my cup of tea or what I expected a tribute to the steel city to sound like, but I'm here for it. Richard creates some smooth, nostalgic scenes. This has a proper melancholic, night time atmosphere throughout. My only criticism would be that it feels a bit low on energy. 3.5/5

Wholesome as hell and it doesn't even have his best tune. The Ocean, Born under a bad sign, Just like the rain - all tunes that make me jolly in my belly. Makes me feel I'm sitting there with a scotch whiskey agreeing that life is affording me all that it has to offer. I'm drunk

Was a pleasant surprise this one. Sounded more like what’s played in a ‘50s American diner than Leadmill, but I’m all for it. The Ocean was a masterpiece

Very standard. Very middle of the road. Can see the Alex Turner influence. Some melodic soulful tunes though. Sot Coles Corner The Ocean Born under a bad sign 2.5/5

It's not that deep. This was pretty mid. Personal Enjoyment - 5 Songwriting - 6 Lyrics - 7 Originality - 6 Production Value - 9 Artwork - 9 Overall - 6.5

Chill

Sad boi

Soothing and okay. No something I would go to frequently, but it was alright.

Found myself enjoying this more often than not, and I particularly like the last instrumental track.

This is a nice, pretty, heartfelt set. Probably reveals a lot more depth with repeats and listens. And wouldn’t be bad for an armchair and a book.

What a beautiful, pleasant surprise. Lovely and pleasant and honest songwriting that reminded me of a mix between old-school country and Scott Walker. Saving this for future listens!

Enjoyable Listen

Started off well enough but goes on far longer than it needed to.

This album wake a fine line between being over reliant on nostalgia and employing it perfectly. I’d say that Richard Hawley expertly weaves sounds from the 40s onwards into an extremely well produced and consistent album. The sound feels warm, lush, and lived in and the various genres blend into each other in such a way that it recalls everything at once this creating something unique.

At first I thought it was just a nice selection of songs for some easy listening. And then I heard The Ocean. The amount of pure and genuine emotion infused into that song almost brought me to tears. There are a couple other hits here that really pack a punch in a similarly expansive and beautiful way. Faves: The Ocean, Coles Corner, Born Under A Bad Sign, Darlin’ Wait For Me, I Sleep Alone

Tranquility Base esta inspirado en este album

Leuk rustig, beetje sinatra vibes

Oke i like the vibe

4 Ruhig

I like this, but as background music. Calming but not very interesting. Despite the 3-star rating, I don’t think it needs to be on this list. 1 - bad 2 - average 3 - good 4 - great 5 - outstanding

Solid

Du très bon chamber pop, j'ai pas vu l'album passer. The Ocean est une pièce incroyable

Agradable, pero no lo volvería a escuchar. Me aburrió un poco, para dejar de fondo.

Muy lindo disco, está bueno para tenerlo de fondo o cuando te pinta chill

A la mitad del disco ya cansa un poco. Me guardo un par de temitas pero no volvería a escucharlo entero.

Me gustó mucho. Es el primer album de la lista que volveria a escuchar seguido

I like the moodiness to this, sometimes reminded me of Roy Orbison. Overall a very pretty record; love the sound of Richard's voice, I like the understated guitar playing, and I would likely come back to this record again for a more focused listen.

I liked this more than expected. It sounded like Reverend Horton Heat singing things that weren't rockabilly. 3.5/5

It’s pretty music, but not really my thing at all. C

Au départ, cet album m'a un peu ennuyée, je l'ai trouvé monotone. Par contre, j'aime beaucoup la voix du chanteur. Au fil des pistes, je me suis un peu réchauffée à son égard.

kind of meh.

Like Michael buble but no Christmas vibes

7,5/10

Very romantic

This album was valiant. Sure records from this genre have been made every which way and the genre is tried and true, but the tried and true records were 50 years ago.  While the album is chronologically misplaced, it's in no way stale. He dusted off a genre from decades earlier and recorded songs produced with superior recording and production technology of the day. The songs are mostly original compositions but you can hear the sounds of yesteryear. For example, the steel guitar on "Hotel Room" is reminiscent of the steel guitar on Paul Anka's “Put Your Head on my Shoulder”.  I enjoyed listening to this and will keep it in rotation. 

It's interesting that when Arctic Monkeys won the Mercury prize, edging out this album, they said that Richard Hawley was robbed. Especially so, because these days, Arctic Monkeys sound alot like this - except better. I like the title track and a couple others, though some are more Paul Anka inspired, as mentioned by JG. I give Hawley credit for his ernest attempt at creating music half a century out of time that had little chance of commercial success.

Very nice change of pace from Pulp for Hawley. I’ve always loved The Ocean and the rest of the album is similarly lush and romantic. Great baritone voice also.

What an interesting album. I quite liked a lot of it… kind retro and cool. He does have a good voice that appeals to my ears. Although he sometimes strays a little close to Morrisset-like morose-ness. Which is something that nobody deserves. It’s alright.

Some catchy tunes but nothing distinctive.

Crisp and dynamic album. I enjoyed this much more than I expected.

Very swooney and crooney, the orchestra sounds were nice 2/5

Why was this album included on a must listen list? Its so aggressively mediocre it hurts. Why. 1/5

Once in a while, you get to listen to an album of an artist you haven't had on your radar, but which, upon listening ticks all the right boxes for you. This is a perfect example and a pleasant surprise. The songs are positively old-fashioned and romantic, and Hawley delivers them with a soothing baritone voice and fitting arrangements. I really liked this and will explore this artist further. 4.5/5

Nice and relaxing

Nice and cozy but also kind of forgettable.

Decent

Mira, este sí que era desconocido para mí, pero me ha gustado bastante. O sea, si discos de country tienen cabida en este listado, entonces por qué no Richard Hawley

I have never heard of Richard Hawley so I am looking forward to today's listen. Richard Hawley is a singer/songwriter whose vocal delivery is very similar to Nick Cave, and sounds like a cross between John Denver and Frank Sinatra. The fact that this album was released in 2005 is amazing. If I learned it came out in the 50's - 60's, I wouldn't have been surprised. Some of his songs are very croonish, and others are kind of country folk/soft rock. I thoroughly enjoyed today's album. The man can certainly write a song. His song topics included: love, and heartbreak. I listened to this album twice today, and will definately listen again! Favourite songs: (Wading Through) The Waters of My Time, Coles Corner, Just Like The Rain, Hotel Room, Darlin' Wait For Me, Born Under A Bad Sign, I Sleep Alone Least favourite songs: The Ocean, Who's Going to Shoe Your Pretty Feet 4/5

I was previously unfamiliar with Hawley. It's a certain kind of mood for a certain kind of day. A certain kind of person would really get into it. I liked the progressions, but it all felt like shadow puppetry.

One of the best albums by one of my favourite artists. This album means the world to me. I wish I could give it 6 stars. Best song, Coles Corner

Mjög fín plata, aldrei heyrt áður. 2-3 lög þarna sem fara pottþétt í róteringuna.

Enjoyed this. Some beautiful tunes.

I always wondered what happened to the Longpigs. Now I know what one of them did.

Too slow

I was optimistic when I saw that Richard Hawley is the guitarist for Pulp, who I like. So, I was expecting a more interesting, upbeat album but this one just really fell flat for me. Not many standouts at all but not offensively bad either, just king of boring to me. Curious to know why the creators of this list felt that this belonged on here, considering I feel like this album is pretty derivative and there are plenty of albums that do this similar type of music better or before this album. Standout Tracks: I Sleep Alone

Loved this album, enjoyed it very much. Nothing here incredibly original, but it’s nice. 3/5

Solid 3, nice and nostalgic/dreamy but dragged on for me

Okay, but a bit generic and boring.

I didn't particularly like it, slow crooner, touching on twangy country. Nothing really memorable.

Super quick listen and forgettable

Ok this wasn’t objectively bad but I am not sure why it was on here. The ocean was pretty good but overall this album was not memorable.

Chilled out, pleasant-enough listen. Think I'd prefer "Hawley Corner" by Richard Coles though.

A nice sit down and a cup of tea of an album.

steel city & western

This is a mellow, dreamy, cozy album with 40s crooner vibes. I didn't love it at first but it grew on me as I listened. It's unusual enough to catch my attention while being eeeeeeasy to listen to. It's not revolutionary but it is well crafted and enjoyable.

Fine. The soft, poetic singer-songwriter genre is really hit or miss for me, and this was a bit of a miss.

Cozy

Meh. Leonard Cohen without the Leonard Cohen.

Kind of a big nothing

I can see what the fuss is about now. Lovely voice. Ditto songs. I can hear the ghost of Johnny Cash in a few.

Very chill, sounded straight outta the 50-60s

What a joy this was to listen to.

It's very tasteful, he sings well, and it won't offend anyone, but my word, it's boring and uneventful. Bafflingly, I actually bought this at the time. I Sleep Alone caught my ear, probably because it picks up the pace a bit, and has some more interesting guitar tones.

I went to Sheffield once. It rained the whole weekend and our mini-cab driver was involved in a rather unsavory incident with a traffic warden. In this context, Richard Hawley's music is joyous and exotic. Thankfully however, I'm not writing this review from Sheffield.

Astonishing this made it onto a list of must listen to albums

Not a huge fan of his voice, but loved some of the arrangements

This was a nice surprise. Born under a Bad Sign, Tonight, Last Orders were particularly interesting. Hearing John Grant vibes.

This really grew on me.

Conflicted about this one. It sounded gorgeous at first, but very tired by the end. Soothing without sounding like certain recent purveyors of piano-led soft rock: this album is much more interesting. Another one that could span several decades. Shades of Roy Orbison (sort of) and Johnny Cash and much else that you wouldn't expect from someone active during the Britpop era. I'll play tracks from this again, but perhaps not the full album. Prime cuts: Coles Corner, Born Under a Bad Sign

Charming, earnestly old fashioned pop with sleepy, languid arrangements. Wears a little thin well before it's over, but I enjoyed it. Fave Songs: Just Like the Rain, Born Under a Bad Sign, The Ocean, Last Orders, I Sleep Alone, Hotel Room

Music put me to sleep and I’m not trying to sleep

This was super pleasant to listen to. Hard to believe it’s from 2005, it sounded decades older.

3/5 Again another british pop rock album. Nothing really to differentiate them right now

Great musician, captures some raw emotions in song

A bit slow, but not in a bad way. Enjoyable listen, but nothing that made me take notice. Great album to study or work to.

Next plz

Liked the last song but thats about it

I was sure I was going to hate this album by about two songs in, but it actually kinda grew on me. It's a real folksy, melancholy thing that I dig.

Sounds like it could've been released in the 50s

Nice voice, so-so album.

Loved the Longpigs the Sun is Often Out back in the 90s, this is very not that. Had this recommended a year or so ago from someone who seemed to love everything and anything that came out of Sheffield. Anyway. This is a nice, huggly sound. Kind of sounds like fellow Yorkshireman Chris Rea except good. But will I think to listen to it more than the two times I now have? Questionable. The archetypal 3/5 for me, nothing stands out, nothing to dislike. Actually a few tracks in, I realised the problem. It's really nice and cosy for a track or two. After that though, I'm bored rigid. This is on the list when something else more interesting isn't. 2/5

Great atmospheric album, you can really feel Hawley's influences in his songwriting and performance. Found two new faves in The Ocean and Last Orders. Will return to this album when the atmosphere calls for it.

First half sounded like music you’d put in the background of a montage in a corny and maybe beachy romantic movie. Ngl was bored second half but no strong feelings about any of it. Very background music

Well crafted record, though not really my jam.

I don't like crooners. It's not that I don't like modern music that sounds like old music. I really dig lots of bands that do new tunes that sound like music from my parents and grandparents generation. But there's something about crooners that turns me off -- even if they sound a little bit like Mark Lanegan. Hotel Room stands out a decent track. Born Under a Bad Sign is a sweet tune reminiscent of Petula Clark swinging 60s pop.

Such an unexpected sound and voice. Really enjoyed it. 3.5

I just want to know how much of Richard Hawley's own funds went to recording and publishing this album? I've listened to it three times today and the repetition has not helped it any. Though it may have been innovative 40 years earlier in 2005 this music has nothing to offer. Even worse -- though #metoo came many years later -- by the time this album was recorded lines like "you belong to me, you belong to me" should have been a distant and unfortunate memory. Born Under a Bad Sign makes me wonder if Hawley is just trolling the blues-influenced British rockers who came before (waaaay before) him. The album's silver lining is some nice slide guitar on tracks like Darlin' Wait for Me. Unfortunately, the lining gilds a piece of dry toast.

Derivative, repetitive, and boring. Sounds like a christmas suicide.

Overall not great to ok. Hotel Room was the stand out for me.

It wasn't horrible, but questioning why this one was on the list. I could see my mom enjoying it though no cap. Mother's vacuuming music genre.

Kind of a dud for me. I probably would have been into it in 2008

Its so, so. Quite calm.

Jazzoso, vocerrón y unas composiciones arrechísimas. Me dejó queriendo escuchar el resto de la discografía.

It's a strange choice for this list as the influences are so obvious it comes across as a pastiche tribute album. You might well as just gone back to the 50s/60s source material and picked an album from there.

Morrissey would kill to put out something like this, but with more racism.

An album and artist I'd never heard of before. Fairly pleasant I suppose, not sure about having to listen to it before I die though

A strange album in that the music is clearly a couple of decades older than the album. It sounds like the soundtrack to a couple generic but wholesome movie classics. Definitely comforting background music. Hard to see it as more than that - but sometimes that's enough.

Repeated references to this as “retro,” which seems a little off to me - more a factor of this being difficult to define, genre-wise. Wikipedia calls it art- and chamber- pop, but it’s country elements are as strong as the pop, along with a heavy vibe of singer-and-band, which (for all that’s its most iconic stars are of an earlier era) never went away, so is it really retro? Whatever the case, I liked it, and it’s ambiguous but decidedly gentle style was a nice change of pace.

Solid album. Not sure if it's my thing or not.

Made me believe in love again

Usually I'm all in on melancholic music, but you have to be in a very specific mood, to thoroughly appreciate it. I wasn't in that mood during my first listening and as a result the whole album just slowly disappeared somewhere in the background, without me noticing anything special about it. Fortunately, by a coincidence, I gave it another chance, late at night, with a glass of wine for company - and the reception was so so much better. Richard creates an amazing atmosphere around his songs; you can feel as you moved in time 50 years and enjoy a full moon with a loved one on a bench in a park. It also helps, that Richard's voice is so soft and charming, that he slowly hypnotizing you into submisson to this album. As for my favourite song, I think I actually have to choose the first song on the album - titular 'Coles Corner'. The song is slightly different from the rest of the record - even more melancholic, perfect cooperation of violin and sadness in Hawley's voice, makes it the best song on this album. I was ready to quickly dismiss this album as just 'another boring work', but I am so lucky to give it a second chance. Really great album!

An odd album for it's time. Great vocal talent and nice for a rainy morning with coffee but the tracks blend together.

Mjög ljúfur og stundum angurvær hljóðheimur. Hann grípur mig ekki föstum tökum en það er eitthvað heillandi þarna og ég gæti vel hlustað á þetta aftur. Ég er enginn stóraðdáandi svona baritóna, en Hawley sleppur fyrir horn. Jájá, fínt.

This album really grew on me. On my first listen I found it too slow and it took me awhile to get through it but by the closing track it started to come together for me. After that, each listen got better and by my third time through the album had won me over.

This album grew on me as it went. I actually thought the songs got better near the middle, which means they were probably put in the wrong order, for me at least. A pretty record, but not one I can see myself going back to again.

Quite nice but it needed more fundamental range.

WOW. This is some good sounding stuff right here. I would love to listen to some more of this guy's work.

Old school slow music

boring

I bought this when it came out on a wave of critical acclaim but don’t listen to it often these days. It’s a really well polished take on a romantic crooners collection, but with hindsight I’m not sure exactly why he did so - it’s well sung and arranged, but ultimately feels like very high end karaoke.

It starts strong and remains cozy throughout, but I wanted a bit more variation and memorable melodies.

The fact is Richard Hawley is not Frank Sinatra or Tony Bennett or Bobby Darin or Tom Jones or Johnny Cash. If you sound just vaguely like the greats but are not one of them, you'll be judged harshly. This album sounds like cover songs and not interesting ones either.

Wasn't into it at first but started digging the R&B style

I wish someone asked me to guess what year this came out before I saw the answer. I don’t know what I would have said but probably not 2005. Richard Hawley had a great, old-fashioned style and his songs are filled with nostalgia, both in the musical influences and also in the bittersweet, sentimental lyrics. The music feels deliberately timeless. He has a great voice. Sounds a lot like Morrissey at times. “The Ocean” could be a Nicole Atkins song. I guess they’re both drawing from similar influences. She’s always had a pretty old-fashioned style too. The closing track “Last Orders” is stunning. (And probably the track that would most tip me off that this is a more modern record.) Such a beautiful instrumental. It’s the kind of calming music that could soothe you to sleep. Really wonderful.

Great voice with a timeless sound. I looked ahead and saw Steve's comment about "The Ocean" sounding like it could be a Nicole Atkins song, and I could not agree more!

The album is beautiful. Everything is really pretty and romantic and also meticulous without sounding too perfect. I really like how polished everything is. I think it has a lovely timeless sound and I think it will get even better with age. Thoroughly enjoyed all around. Just remembering that I randomly heard one of his tracks "Tonight The Streets Are Ours" from a different album and I've been listening to it all year. Pretty cool!

Richard Hawley brings a beautiful raw performance to this quietly calm piece of pop-indie. His voice at points is touching and feels honesty with the intentions he’s bringing

Oof this did not start our well for me. Mediocre/derivative white man croons. The lounge/country thing just doesn’t do much for me— I felt the same about Willie Nelson’s lounge album. Not repulsive, but not much for me to love here. I will say, the album improved as I kept listening. Wish I could give it 2.5 stars. I’ll round up because it more tolerable as the album went on.

Too retro for me. It plodded along nicely, but nothing to make me return.

Easy listening, inoffensive, bit lethargic at times.

Did not enjoy. No snap to this music.

Did not enjoy. Stylistically, it was all over the place. I feel like this site is just messing with me now.

While this old style country jazz period piece of an album may suit romantic entertainment by the fireside on a cold winter night, I found its initial charm fading away rather quickly. Half way through, I was rather bored.

4.25

Aight

If Johnny Cash grew up in the suburbs playing the piano. This album sounds like what a movie would have in the soundtrack for a character's dinner date, but in a good way. It conveys a story, is suitable for most audiences, and reminds me a bit of BCNR.

I thought I had this album in the past but must have been a different Richard Hawley one. I prefer the other one. Rip Coles.

Not for me, sounds like Michael Bublé mixed with Jarvis Cocker. Easy listening for the 2000's

Fantastic voice, not my style of music. Somewhere between elevator and lounge music.

It is nice, but I got bored

Trodde inte jag skulle gilla det här men det var bra? iofs är det ju han från pulp så, inte så big av en surprise ändå.

Helped me fall asleep

Smooth

no es mi estilo de musica pero me senti comodo escuchando, buena letra relajante me gusto mucho el album

Some lovely moments in this one

Well I’ve herd his guitar in the longpigs and he’s good… The album opens with the title track a pleasant stroll compared to what I’ve heard of his work before. He’s got an amazing gentle ( Christmas singer sounding) voice which works for the music being done. Just like rain takes a folkier tone compared to the last one still quite well produced big band yet solo singer stuff, good. Hotel room is a lovely sounding song great but not my type of music to be honest. Next is Darlin’ wait for me another song of similar opinion it’s slightly worse just being slow without much substance for me. The ocean is cool again this dull feeling but this is just more epic and mysterious great stuff. Born under a bad sign has this slight bit pf acoustic guitar shuffling that really glues the song together, all in all it’s still the same big band lovey-dovey sounding stuff but not a bad implementation of it. Then is the folky track, I sleep alone it’s a good left turn that shows knowledge of good sequencing not my favourite not my least. Tonight is a gloomy acoustic song it’s good but like none of this album hits in the greatest way. The album goes folkier again with one of the best songs on the album ( wading through) the waters of my time it’s just relaxing well written and memorable something you want from any solo artist. The album’s penultimate track whose going to shoe your pretty feet lacks quite a bit in instrumentation just a poem with a more echoey version of Hawley’s usual vocals. It goes will with the piano based closer last orders a cold and gloomy track but it’s still one of the best songs somehow and it’s instrumental. I am gutted with this album to be honest I thought the guitarist in a rather underrated band whose best aspect was their guitars would make quite a fun album not one that’s all maturity and nothing else.

There are some really nice arrangements here but it is a bit derivative, and I don't think the vocals are powerful enough to carry through as much as they should

I mean, whatever. I feel like this album would be playing at an outdoor skating rink in NYC. It’s got an atmosphere and that’s about all it’s got for me.

Pleasant enough, and competently made. Not for me at all. Highlights: Just Like the Rain, Last Orders. Couldn't listen to: Who's Going to Shoe Your Pretty Feet.

What’s going on? A country Christmas album… from Sheffield? You’re being weird Richard. Stop being so weird. Nothing offensive but nothing I’ll revisit.

His voice is lovely, the first track is wonderful. Songs will really depend on the mood but he's good.

This is... not what I expected... but really quite good. Very easy, gentle listening in general, and he takes it up a notch every now and then. It's an interesting sound, somewhere between crooner and the slightly arch conversational style (you can tell he was in Pulp for a bit!). I'm coming into this after a little run of really dire albums, so resisting the urge to overrate this one because it's not them, but it comfortably merits a 3. The Ocean in particular is a great song, title track is good, and none of the rest are bad.

I swear to god if I have to listen to one more album of a British guy trying to be a 50’s crooner

I started off thinking that this was yet another boring album that’s on here for some historical or music critic reason but by the end I was totally on board. The vocals are basically nick cave from the boatman’s call mixed with frank Sinatra but the production is on a whole other level of mixing genres and it’s all really beautiful sounding