Coles Corner

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

easy listening country with cinematic lyrics, starring a Frank Sinatra impersonator with a mild smoking habit. 3.5/5

The album was interesting as several of the songs had a retro feel to it. By retro feel, I mean it sounded like the song was from the '50s. Other songs had a country feel to it so I did not care for that. It wasn't a bad album and probably a little better than a 2 but I will round down.

What if Mark Lanegan was from Sheffield and not Ellensburg?

Been looking forward to this. 4 at least. And 1 point for the incredible albumcover. (The building is not even fucking Coles Corner)

Asked someone to guess when this album was released “1984. No, 1974. I really think it is 1950’s but I feel like it’s a trick question and the background guitar doesn’t sound like the 50’s”. 2005. Tried to understand why such an anachronistic album was including. Did not find the answer.

A modern folk rock album.

Bonito, tranquilo

I enjoyed a few songs, but a lot of songs I didn't care for, especially the "shoe" song. Sounds like a knockoff of classy 50s/60s music with an old timey country touch at times. He doesn't have as remarkable of a voice as the great crooners he's LARPing as. Maybe I'm too harsh. I can see why others could like it. Favorite song was Born Under a Bad Sign. Last track was very pleasant too

From pleasant start to ghostly end, Richard Hawley takes the listener through trips of life in Sheffield in Coles Corner. What sticks out is the numerous nods made towards the pre-Sixties era of music such as traditional pop and country and it keeps the album interesting from beginning to end. Do not ignore this collection. Favorites: Coles Corner, Just Like the Rain, The Ocean, I Sleep Alone, Tonight, (Wading Through) The Waters of Times, Who's Gonna Shoe Your Pretty Feet?, Last Orders.

Beautiful

05/15/2022 Very unexpected, in the best way.

This starts off sounding a lot like a Christmas album and ends up as a lullaby. It does pick up in the middle around The Ocean and Born Under A Bad Sign. Eerily enough Spotify added Tonight the Streets Are Ours to my Discover Weekly playlist last week. Certianly an album that probably grows on you.

Ok album, didn’t really like the singing

i thought the music was really interesting but man his voice… it just was not helping in any way…

I can absolutely appreciate the gentle melodies and craft involved - full stop. Even the singing is likely objectively nice. It's just that this crooning style doesn't resonate with me on a gut level at all, and especially on the more country-oriented songs. I feel a little bad giving this a 2; it's entirely a personal-preference thing; this could be someone's favourite album and I'd kind of get it but the generally laconic overall feel isn't hitting me. 5/10 2 stars

"Coles Corner" is a lovingly retro record from Richard Hawley- the whole set oozes class, elegance and heartache. Named after a popular meeting place for dates in Hawley's (and my) native Sheffield, the album concerns itself primarily with love lost and found, with a series of ballads in Hawley’s baritone croon. It's not for everyone, presumably even less so back in 2005: it's certainly a far cry from the cheeky-chappy, Britpoppy take on Sheffield's nightlife immortalised by Pulp or early Arctic Monkeys. Instead, “Coles Corner” is a grand and stately affair, with tempos and arrangements running through treacle and lyrics softened almost into total cliche. But it is very listenable, and often dazzling in its simplicity. It's surprising that tracks like "Just Like the Rain", "I Sleep Alone” and "Wading Through The Waters of My Time" were conceived with the album, and aren’t old standards. They sound like Hawley picked them out of a dusty old songbook from a distant and forgotten history, fitting right in alongside the only traditional offering “Who’s Gonna Shoe Your Pretty Little Feet”. Sometimes a little bit country, sometimes more folksy… all with a 50's crooner delivery. Musically, it’s given a tasteful modern update by crisp, full-bodied production and gorgeous guitar work. Listen to the slide in "Hotel Room", the counter-melody in the "Born Under a Bad Sign" chorus, and the chordal accompaniment running through “Darlin’ Wait For Me”. From the rest of the tracks, “Coles Corner” is the most romantic, absolutely aching with strings. “The Ocean" is the most climactic, reaching a stunning crescendo in its last couple of minutes. And "Last Orders" is the most atmospheric, sounding like the final piano drifting through the haze at the end of the world. I've listened many times walking home on a very late night and it has always fit perfectly… almost pure magic.

holy shit, beautiful album I am obsessed with the diversity these tracks have It’s like Nick Cave meets Johnny Cash and that last song sounded like Hans Zimmer or something overall beautiful album - 10/10

bnitol album pero aveces s hace country nose como jejefkfjhkdfgbf

smooth singer but low key. 3 or 4? but its so slick. 3 because its heteronormative but might work to keep me calm.

Day 12: Wasn't awful. I could see myself giving it a better rating if I listened to it in a different mood or time of day. I did enjoy most of the songs but felt that a lot of them fell into the background and didn't really interest me. Favourite Song: The Ocean

Nice music. Not at all what I was expecting. 2.5/5

I thought I would hate this, I am almost disappointed that I like it. Who knew.

Corny. Boring. If I could give it 0 stars I would.

Bacana, bem de boas

I love Hawley's voice. It's like a cross between Nick Lowe and Damon Albarn. A lot of it reminded me of Blur's The Universal. A nice chill listen!

Really liked this album ...from Title track, to Hotel Room, The Ocean, Tonight and Last Orders...A couple of these tracks feel throwback enough that Tarantino would try to hip them up in Pulp Fiction 2: The Pulpening

I remember this being praised when it was released but never gave it a listen. Earnest old-timey crooning (with a slightly modern sheen) that clearly influenced Alex Turner. Might be a bit top heavy? Either the best tracks are in the first half, or I just got a little weary of it towards the end. Or both.

Beautiful record. Used to listen to this frequently but have no given it much thought over the recent years Lovely cosy sound. It relaxes me

This one was pretty

Not my lane, I'm sure it's OK for people who like a crooner, but simply too schmaltzy

A charming collection of songs. It’s nostalgic tone awakes the empathy on the listener. I did not have this on my radar, but now, it belongs to my Nick Cave-like playlist.

i would never have guessed it would sound like it does, having read the wikipedia page first. He is a crooner, with a great voice and cool style, almost out of a different era. great to relax to on a sunny afternoon. i would come back for more, not normally my style of music though.

A fairly bland exploration through honey.

ganz nettes pop album mit ein paar coolen instrumentals und einigen tracks die ich mir definitiv nochmal anhören werde. viel mehr aber auch nicht

Irgendwie unbeeindruckend. Also nicht schlecht aber zieht einfach so an einem vorbei, konnte dem nicht wirklich viel abgewinnen. Würde es vielleicht im Hintergrund laufen lassen

Ganz nett aber irgendwie nicht soo mein Fall, zu Sinatraige vocals tbh

Ganz nett, aber man muss wirklich nicht 2005 anfangen diesen Balladen-Vibe rekreieren völlig dekontextualisiert.

Solid sound. I liked it pretty well. Reminded me of bob dylan

A modern, singer-songwriter interpretation of crooner music. Works better than you might expect.

Sonzao bem diferenciado, calminho

New discovery for me and loved it. Need to make sure I go back to it

Tooooooooooo sloooooooooow

Love the old school country!

I liked it

Not my style of music.

Tja

Niet vervelend, ook niet heel leuk; liftmuziek!

Veel te glad

Het openingsnummer is mooi! En de rest kan ik eigenlijk ook best goed hebben.

Mooie stem, mooie liedjes, maar op een gegeven moment wilde ik gaan slapen.

The description of this album was perfect. A short is Coles Corner wraps itself in the dreams of Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Scott Walker and Lee Hazelwood. With a baritone perpetually in anguish over broken love, dead love, bittersweet love ( anything other than happy love), Richard Hawley, like Chris Isaak, shifts to past decades without resorting to complete nostalgia. He lets the strings engulf him, the piano sway him, and thee ballads play him. I wish these were my words but they are how I felt about this listen. Perfect for a rainy night or a overcast day.

Very gentle. The Roy Orbison of Sheffield...

Boring adult contemporary schlock.

Great when I’m in the mood for it

7/10 cheesy and over the top at times but pretty relaxing and enjoyable :)

6/10. Pretty good, wouldn't listen to it again though.

Total snooze fest. 4/10

This sounds just like a Jim Reeves album. A man, his guitar, and his feelings. This is slow, mellow music that works best if you have someone by your side. Heat up some chocolate, turn the volume up and bring your partner close. Beautiful and simple. Favorite tracks: Born under a bad sign, Ocean, Tonight.

Slušala san navečer i baš odgovara toj nekoj noćnoj atmosferi. Dobar đir skroz, ugodno, malo retro, sve u svemu-sviđa mi se :)

Nisan čula za Richarda, a jako mi se sviđa. Zvuči puno starije od 2005-e haha. I baš je smirujuće

Kako je ovo lijepoooooo

I liked it a lot actually

Un'atmosfera natalizia senza il Natale, da mettersi sotto le coperte con la cioccolata calda mentre fuori nevica. Anche la seconda canzone continua sulla falsariga, anche per via della voce piena e che sembra provenire da 50 anni prima. 'Darlin' wait for me' è struggente al limite della commozione. Anche 'The Ocean' è veramente bella. Stupendo e non lo avevo mai sentito nominare! 5*

A nice, sweet, romantic album with a medley of musical influences. Hawley's got a great voice and a nice assortment of lyrics that make this a joy of an album to listen to.

I went to listen to this album with low expectations, was already prepared to not like it, buuuuut it was a nice surprise. It reminded me of 50/60s music, with a lot of influence from Johnny Cash. Overall a decent album, probably gonna listen to it some more times. Favorite tracks: * Ocean * Just Like The Rain * Coles Corner

It's just kinda Burt Bacharach-y schmaltz.

Absolutely loved it, very dreamy melancholic and romantic

Good stuff. Great listening even if it isn't spectacular.

These tracks are so beautiful and epic, I especially loved "Born Under a Bad Sign". It had incredible instrumentation and, like the other tracks on here, the vocals were quite nice!

This would have been a great album in 1965

Low key and soulful and pleasant. Not at all what I expected when I saw the listed genre as "Britpop"

Feels like a bland redo of those golden voice type of american singers in 2005. Why is this even on the list? It's not bad, it doesn't hurt my ears, but is boring as hell. Two songs really stand out though: Coles Corner and The Ocean are pretty good.

Glad to be intrduced

Almost wrote this one off, not sure why it was even on the list. Reading about it, it was apparently critically acclaimed, nominated for a Mercury and such. Finding out that he wrote most of the songs made me warm up to it, at first I thought it was some guy singing standards. The fact that I thought they were standards is a testament to his writing ability I suppose. Gave it a couple listens, in the end coming down in the middle.

All I had to do was look at the cover to know it was some British thing I've never heard of. This could be an exciting prospect except that it turned out to be some kind of thoroughly bland nostalgia act. Wait, can you even call it a nostalgia act when the person making the music wasn't alive during the time period they are emulating? He sounds very reverent to his inspirations and all, but he also sounds utterly boring. Not only that, but the clean modern production kind of neuters the aesthetic. And his voice just simply isn't capable of pulling off what he's trying to achieve. I'm five songs in and I really don't want to finish this...

Retro-sounding. I can appreciate it but sort of boring for me.

Listened Before? N This was a surprise! Never heard of the man or the album. Pros: Wonderful old-school sound. They keyboards on some of the slower songs are chill-inducing. A nice mellow listen for a romantic evening or a melancholy day. I love the instrumental outtro of "Last Orders". Cons: Some of the songs (Who's Going to Shoe Your Pretty Feet) are too long and meander a bit slowly to keep my interest, but it's a small gripe. I can skip it. Songs added to Playlist: Just Like the Rain Added To Library: N

It’s a sweet sounding album, very nostalgic crooner ballads but with a captivating modern beauty. 4/5 - Perfect background music on a Sunday morning

This one's tough. The album cover kind of looks like a self-distributed album by one of your friend's dads. And then you start listening to it and the strings come in and you feel like "uh-oh, what am I in for." But then the vocals come in and it's not the amateur hour thing you thought it was going to be. But then as it goes on, you realize none of this is connecting with you. And maybe that's because you don't know who Richard Hawley is and nothing in the music is giving you a ton of affection for him. I don't know what the personality is here. I couldn't get into it. But it's a pretty pro sounding record.

I love this album. Richard Hawley is a weird one - a Big Name in British music, who will always garner critical praise and find top-notch collaborators. But as a popular act, he'll never cut through. That's probably because he's ploughing quite a lonely furrow as Britpop's own Roy Orbison / Johnny Cash revanchist. I'm glad somebody's doing it, as this is gorgeous, lovingly crafted and thick with atmosphere. Hawley shepherds the ghosts of the past with grace and charm, yet there's enough of the man himself here to prevent this being a glorified tribute act.

Not bad, not bad. It gave me Mark Lanegan vibes, minus a few hundred whiskey bottles and several decades of smoking cigs. Probably the kind of music that would work well in some David Lynch scenes, which is a very specific, but personally enjoyable compliment. If another Richard Hawley record shows up on this list I won't roll my eyes. Pretty. High. Praise, guys.

Calm and relaxing album. Would be nice background music, "The Ocean" my favourite song. All the songs are very similar, nothing extremely standout either good nor bad.

This is a pleasant enough album but it doesn't linger with me. Perhaps I need to be more attuned to the Americana sound by way of Sheffield to fully appreciate it.

trash tier sounds like elevator music, got a bit better towards the second half kinda proto-orville peck but trashier

This is a hard one to pin down but, ultimately, I don't particularly like it. It's like he's trying to be Roy Orbison and that, to me, isn't a winning move.

ROCKABILLY!

Listened to this without knowing anything about it. Didn't even look at the year. It felt like it was 50s or 60s. Surprised it was 2005. I liked it a lot. Soothing, comfortable.

Perfectly pleasant. Not entirely sure it belongs on the list, as the schtick is that he's perfectly and earnestly recreating the sound of a bygone era - so why not give us some of the originals this is aping? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Fave track - "Coles Corner" was a lovely opener, and "Last Orders" a lovely closer, so let's go with them....

This album was fine. He has a good voice and the lyrics work well enough. It's not my thing, but I could see why people like it. For me, though, it was hard to understand how this album was innovative or significant. It seemed like another late era Brit Pop album that made it to this list because it was popular, not because it was particularly meaningful or groundbreaking. Also, this album just keeps fucking going without really changing or doing anything interesting 3/5

Not really my thing but I can appreciate it, the ocean is a great song.

Had not heard of Richard Hawley before and I don't recall ever hearing any of these songs in the past. I'm not always great at picking up when a musician is performing something ironically, but to me, he is not, and I like that. There is so much familiarity in what he's doing, but it also doesn't sound just like someone imitating or covering music from the past. That's really hard to do. Impressive.

Enjoyable album

Jao što Richard Hawley zna kako do moga srca. Coles corner mi je definitivno na listi najdražih albuma uz Late night final.

Bruised romanticism and classic songwriting. An absolute delight.

Old-timey music in the modern age. Fine.

Pop. Soul. Lento. Suave

I'm sure somebody thinks this is well-written, well-performed music. To me, it's awfully boring.

Very soothing with oldies feel that I'm super digging

Relaxing and easy listening. Something I could listen to again just trying to unwind.

You would never know this album is from the 21st century. Very easy to listen to and love the crooner style voice.

Cool voice, pretty slow, good song writing, loved the slide guitar in various tracks. Best track: Hotel Room

Beetje melige muziek, sprak me weinig aan

Definitely an interesting album overall. I dig Hawley's voice, and despite the album falling under a folksy/country umbrella (which I'm not the biggest fan of) I definitely appreciated it and liked the subtle hints of blues and jazz throughout. Favorite Tracks: Coles Corner, Darlin' Wait for Me

Mooie singer songwriter een beetje nick cave achtig minder duister

Good album, had a nice Christmas feel in parts despite not ostensibly being about Christmas

Pleasant album to be driving through the snowy suburbs and highways of Greater Manchester to.

Rating: 6/10

such as easy listen, i avoided it first day but it is actually very good

211121 10:40 3 :(

I have never heard of this man before in my life. But hear me out, he sounds like a mixture of Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble, and Elvis. He has a great sound. Makes you want to sit down with a nice whiskey and with about your existence

Mellow, but done well. Perfect shower music. No recognized songs

A little twangy

The worst type of music. As bland as unsalted cardboard.

A modern 50's pop rock n roll album. Coherent and excellent production, which hides any dud tracks, except for the country ones at the end to which you take notice. Several really great tracks. I like albums where everyone has a different favorite track. Not a fan of the songwriting, which seems like a big component, but there's a lot of other things to like here. Favorites: Darlin Wait For Me, The Ocean, Born Under A Bad Sign, Tonight

Solid album - I had listened to it a few times when it was released and now I again. It is quite pleasant and I may listen to it again in the future, as with so many records: not clear why is in the 1001-list.

Melancholic, dreamy, smooth, and a tad boring to be honest. Seems influenced by singers like Elvis and Johnny Cash.

Chill, jazzy, acoustic album. It was alright

Nomas que meta segundón y llega a 5

Sí lo vuelvo a poner, como no.

Mislim da bi mi baš više pasao album, bio je dobar dok sam ga slušao, ali sam zaspao. Tak mi je reko Ivan da si ga pustim taman navečer jer tad paše. Dao bi 4 možda da sam stigo do kraja.

Iako u trenutcima meni osobno malo dosadan, izaziva toplinu oko srca 🤗 Ne mog to opisat, ovo mi je primjer zasto ovu stranicu koristimo, jer sam nit bi otkrio nit pustio. #mellowyellow

It's always weird hearing this kinda oldies-style music coming from someone way after, in this case 2005. I can never really get it out of my head that it's all a big gag, some ironic hipster thing. This honestly doesn't sound bad, but again: how on earth is this something I needed to hear before I die? Or more to the point, why are the only albums in this style i've had so far been by this guy and fucking Morrisey? About the closest thing otherwise has been maybe Johnny Cash, and even then it's still miles off. I'm over 400 albums in; surely there could have been some kind of original crooner-type in there by now. 3/5 cause it's honestly not a bad listen. Biggest criticism is that it's a bit boring. At 45min he doesn't really break any of my album length rules, but it doesn't mix it up at all.

Sounds like a smooth soundtrack to a straight to TV Christmas movie. Well produced but not for me.

I found the album a bit boring. No songs really stood out from the others.

This sounds like my grandparents music, sad guy on a piano singing about love and loss. Very slow, voice is ok but doesn't really stand out in any way. The opening song definitely sets a really unexciting tone, some of the later songs pick up a bit but they go from like a 1 to a 3 out of 10 max. Everything about it just seems like a very generic version of what's happened long ago. Like an AI was tasked with generating an album after listening to Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and any other 50s guy that just sings slowly. This is what that AI spat out.

Чистый кайф

Never heard him before, but was at a concert Richard Hawley headlined this summer - missed him against my wishes, so chuffed to see this pop up. A lovely, rockabilly, non-ironic album. It's great this.

What a cozy and snug album. I want to curl up with some hot cocoa and watch the rain while this is spinning.

This somber, longing album is quite choice for when you are in the crossover zone of romantic and depressed. Standout track is Last Orders.

Added!

Pausado, tranquilo, relajado, buena voz y melodías.

Mellow to the point I forgot I was listening to music. 3 listens of the album with the same drifting off each time. Happy to know that this album was made in the mid-2000's, fully respect people that just disregard current musical trends and just make the music they want to make.

2/5 sadly nope.

not really familiar with this genre, but sounds like Arctic Monkeys got something from this (I do know they both come from sheffield and have worked together in the past)

Surprising & interesting album - wide range of styles, maybe not all that many memorable songs but definitely some classics.

Looking at the track list I see songs named "The Ocean" and "Born Under a Bad Sign", so of course I'm thinking Led Zeppelin and Cream covers. Turns out not to be the case. In fact, couldn't be much different from those two bands. Pleasant enough, but not really my thing. 3 stars.

Wow, mys! Efter lite dåligt engagerad lyssning under gårdagen slog jag återigen igång albumet när jag skulle cykla hem från tandläkaren. Öppningsspåret "Coles Corner" passade så jävla väl in i det lummiga där jag cyklade. I de gamla Sala Backe-trakterna och det var så höstigt, så höstigt på ett drömmigt sätt. Löv på träden, i luften och till sist på marken. I den där goda orangea färgen som får en person att bli varm rakt igenom. Fortsättningsvis flyter cykelturen och musiken isär något. Musiken blir lite tråkigare i takt med att jag kommer in i centrala staden. Stressen av att agera som en bil i trafiken på min cykel går inte hand i hand med det gosiga soundet. Men det var en fin upplevelse så länge det varade. Bäst: "Coles Corner"

Not for me.

It's...fine I guess? I think if it had been either a little more or a little less twee I'd have liked it a lot more, but it's not played straight enough to be good or broad enough to be fun.

ovo bi slusala da sam sredovjecni bhm (not even in a bad way)

I GET IT!!!! YOU LIVE IN THE CITY IN AMERICAAAAA

First half is like really dark, and almost kinda boring? It sounds like death, not the band but actual dying. Coudln't explain why I felt that way, I could just feel myself slowly aging as it went on. Second half I liked a lore more. I felt like a good amiunt of the music gained a new sort of personality vs. just the sound of slowly dying to alcoholism and cigarettes'.

"You don't have Frank Sinatra records? I'll make my own Frank Sinatra record, then!" -- Richard Hawley probably

Sikke et lækkert album. Har den gamle fede lyd fra Frank Sinatra Robinson et virkelig Hyltebjerg album som jeg skal lytte meget mere til på nogle sene aftner

Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Coles corner, The ocean, Tonight

Not bad as far as crooners go. Nothing I would crave for but my wife would enjoy 2.5 🌟

he has a great smooth voice and the album feels as good as walk on the beach. Too emotional for me though.

Good qualitu music, but boring. Very boring.

Ik vind het wel lekkere muziek. Leuke melodieën met een aangename stem. Mijn favoriet is "Just Like the Rain". ***

Te zoetsappig voor mij

Lijkt in eerste instantie saai, maar het is naar mijn mening een sfeervol folk/country-album waar ik wel van hou. Verrassend.

This was pretty good, but I had had enough by half way through. It was rather samey

this one's easier to be objective about, since i'd never heard of him at all, despite pretty clearly remembering being alive when it was released. it was an interesting mix of tracks i did not care for one bit, and a couple i found really nice. great voice, and of course the one standout track for me was the one that got the least play on that album (according to spotify) - which tells me i probably don't really like his overall style that much. but I Sleep Alone was a great one, just sayin'.

English rock artist with a 1940's flair, almost smooth crooner meets rockabilly. Strange to see this type of album from the middle of the 2000's. That being said...needed on this list?

1.5

4.0 - Well, I’ll be damned! What a pretty album this is. Ballads of longing, regret and reminiscence, sung in a rich baritone, inflected with old rockabilly/country crooning à la Cash and Orbison.

A very pleasant surprise. Love Just Like the Rain and The Ocean.

Vraiment bon et rafraichissant, j’ai reecoutee dans lammeme journee car j’avais adore.

Really smooth listening. Some twangy stuff, soft voice, enjoyable.

Do not listen to this if you're morose or mourning. Wow, I've never heard his solo stuff and this album convinced me I need to dig into it. I don't know how to even categorize this music.

Liked this album…. Good listen

All of this guys songs sound like they are the song that plays at the end of the movie as the credits roll. I'm not sure why this came out in 2005 or who this guy is but I liked Ocean. He almost is like a knock off Johnny Cash in a way. And so he is just waiting outside at his own concert for someone to show up and they aren't showing up? Kind a sad.

What a pleasant surprise. Never heard of this so immediately knew it was something British. I liked the first track but couldn't help groaning knowing this would be a consistent aesthetic choice. But the album spanned a number of genres in this old-school crooner type style and I found myself enjoying much more than I thought, especially on the back end. Some of the country-tinged tunes near the end are really excellent. I didn't expect to dig this here we are. Favorite tracks: Who's Going to Shoe Your Pretty Feet, Coles Corner, The Waters of My Time, Last Orders, Born Under a Bad Sign. Album art: The guy looks like a dweeb but doesn't love make us all look stupid? I really like the colors here. The picture isn't too remarkable but the bold yellow/orange and blue is fantastic. Definitely fits the music. 4/5

6th August 2021 Listened on my phone in the morning before we drove to Norfolk to go camping with Joe, adna and Anna Lewis! Really enjoyed this actually, it was like a cross between brit pop and old school crooning.

Would have never guessed this came out in 2005! A really great and eclectic take on musical styles from decades before. Favorite tracks were “Just Like The Rain” and “The Ocean”.

Mezcla de estilo de Elvis, Sinatra, etc. cantado en la actualidad.

Buena voz. Cantante melódico moderno. Piano. Bastante bonito el disco. Un 4 le voy a dar.

It was pretty alright

meh

Decent album…not what I was expecting

That’s a no from me dawg

What a beautiful pop record I had no idea the lead singer was the bassist from Pulp. This album just oozes a nighttime listening experience. The orchestral arrangements and guitars bring this cathartic experience dealing with relationships and breakups. I love the lyrics extremely relatable with some great songs as well. Extremely consistent album I love it. Easy 9/10 for me

Smooth jazzy, good background music. Not great though. Vocals wanna be Sinatra but no.

A lot more interesting in context with what Cole's Corner is, and to me paints a lonely guy who just can't seem to find the love he's looking for. Not my type of music, maybe too slow for me, but the album was good. Its lyrics definitely stand out more than the music for me, except for the title track where the music stands out just as much

A curious mixture. Made the commute a little better

Top 3 1. (1) Coles Corner 2. (3) Hotel Room 3. (5) The Ocean Bonus: (11) Last Orders

Great

- stellar recordings, - warm vibes of home, first crooner I've enjoyed - somewhat samey but some standouts (I sleep alone, last orders

Love this - can’t believe it was 2005!

3.5

I love his voice

Thoroughly enjoyed. Born under a bad sign is my favourite off the album.

Leonard Cohen-ish, Perry Como-ish, Roy Rogers-ish, lounge singer-ish. That probably sounds worse than I mean it to. It’s not sleazy or anything, just kinda beige. Bland. Nondescript. Perfectly inoffensive, but challenges the listener not at all. Still, there’s something comforting about it, like eating a cupcake or snuggling a teddy bear or slipping on your favorite pajamas and staying in bed all day. There’s value in that. Also, holy crap! This album is from 2005! I would’ve guessed 1958.

Fantastic production and a great voice, however, I felt like there was not much sonic variation and many of the songs blandly waltzed along. Nice dinner party background music.

3 1/2

This album is fantastic.... at putting me to sleep.

OK

Was very easy listening. Inoffensive - I liked some bits but it was very easy to tune out of.

Sounds like the soundtrack to a Richard Curtis movie.

I just didn’t get it.

A wonderful jazz mix about love and loss

Really easy to listen but nothing outstanding. Might return to it one day.

I figured there might be a crooner album somewhere on this list, but I was not expecting it to be from 2005. He's got a nice voice, but it's not really my type of thing.

Not my bag but done well

Joah best oké

Very beautiful, sublime and we'll crafted album

Un départ en fanfare rapidement anéanti par un tapis dans lequel Richard va se prendre les pieds dès le second morceau. Heureusement que l'intéressé a su en rire par la suite en transformant cet épisode potentiellement traumatique en une force avec le lancement de sa propre marque de revêtement de sol.

Soothing Easy Listening

Song got to my likes. Nice

Sometimes it sounds like classic country, sometimes like mood music for a romantic comedy. At no time does it sound interesting to me.

Best Song: Last Orders Worst Song: I Sleep Alone

I was very surprised by this album. I’d never heard of Richard Hawley before. He sounds like someone who would perform in the Roadhouse on Twin Peaks. I also get some slight Elvis Costello vibes, especially his album with Burt Bacharach. Loved it.

pleasantly surprised by how much i liked this album

Very Scott Walker. I enjoyed it

sacre intro, sinon sympa sans grand renversement de situation, 3/5 vu qu'il y a pas 3.5

Excellent voice with quite instrumental music. Chill and relax.

New to me. Really good

More like Richard Yawn-ley... am I right???

Gorgeous, gentle, quite beautiful romantic music. Very impressed. Retro, but does that matter?

*emoji de fuego*

A lovely album, nice songs and sounds fantastic

I really like the style and vibes from this album. Love the voice and liked all the songs.

Twee and horrible.

Great voice and nice songs, not quite enough to drag me back though

A wonderful surprise.

lagano, enjoyable

This was close to a 4, but a few songs near the end brought this down a bit for me. Still a big fan of this - its very somber and croony, but I like how it feels way older than it is Liked: Coles Corner, The Ocean

Saved Prior: None Off Rip: Coles Corner, Just Like the Rain, The Ocean, Born Under A Bad Sign, I Sleep Alone Cutting Edge: None Overall Notes: Britpop and Easy Listening had a decently enjoyable child

Comedown music

Production: 13/20 Songwriting: 14/20 Innovation: 11/20 Bangers: 10/20 Emotional response: 14/20 =62 Liked it

Aunque lo conozco, nunca había escuchado un disco completo. Maravilloso. Mucho rockandroll 50s, onda crooner, Roy Orbinson, Lee Hazlewood, Nancy Sinatra, Harry Nilsson, Dylan. Hermoso, me hizo sentir bien, que se agradece en estos días tan oscuros.

Very interesting that this came shortly after the Frank Sinatra record. It's very old school, and I could see Sinatra having recorded these songs. Good songs, but a lot of them sound similar. Well-produced. Listened twice.

Classic country beats, but recorded in 2005. Interesting.

Nothing special, soft vocal jazz type thing.

I really like Richard Hawley. Particularly Longpigs era. But this is straight up crooning.

was always going to be a 3, fairly nice songs and voice but instantly forgettable

Really, really enjoyed this album. I was slightly familiar with Richard Hawley from Rewind the Film, but his own work is new to me. Will definitely be checking out more of it. A high 4.

no, no me gustó

Pues me sorprendió que me gustara un album de este genero musical. No sé si las letras son buenas o no, pero a mí me gustaron. Creo que las canciones que más me complacieron fueron Just like the rain y The Ocean. Mood: Cñor Sad

It was a surprise back in the mid 00s, such a rara avis in that musical landscape. I always preferred his posterior Ladies' Bridge, but The Ocean is such a beautiful song

nice and slow solid three

Ein Mann wie Whisky. Nicht immer aber in gewissen Stunden genau richtig. 3.4

Mit dem ersten Song hat er mich total abgeholt, mit dem letzten wunderbar wieder rausgleiten lassen, da steuerte ich schon auf eine 4. Dazwischen war mir dann aber zu wenig Variation und zu viel Johnny Cash, und das lag dann nur bei einer zwei. Insgesamt: macht das: 2,5

Lounge music. easy listening, but didn't get me excited.

A little too christmasy there for a bit.

Me encantó. Tiene como un mood que me gusta mucho, los arreglos, las letras y la voz. No tengo mucho que decir más que lo disfruté bastante. Sobre todo "Coles Corner", "Hotel Room" y "The Ocean", que sí me pareció maravillosa. Me gustó el cierre instrumental y pues bueno, qué bonito cuando un disco te hace sentir así. 9.5/10

Muuuuuy buen psychrock

Beautifully moving and incredibly diverse.

The corner is still remembered by many Sheffielders above 30 years of age as the place to arrange to meet one's date.

Not a at all for me... actually might be my least favorite kind of music after country. It's chill but not my kind of chill.

Semibängeri Skön musik, lite väl långsamt för min smak

Yeah. Wasn't sure at first but it grew on me.

Album acilis ve kapanis sarkilari cok guzeldi. Bir de ocean sarkisi favorim.

Fine. 5/10

unexpected. this is like "music to die slowly to".. music for an old folks home. i feel like i'm getting older listening to it. some pat boone 50's thing going on here. pretty boring... born under a bad sign has some morrissey potential in it, but otherwise forgettable.

Listenable, not very exciting or new. Not my favorite vocal quality

If I could cherry pick a few songs the score might double

Very middle of the road for me... I like the style okay, but it wasn't very distinct. Fell into the background for me. Good music to nap to.

he's no Frankie

No.

Not really into this genre of music

Yuck

A bit Johnny Cash but not as good

The album sound like crooner music. It is pleasant to listen to. I was surprised by the 'recent' release date.

A really weird album. Like something from the 70s, except from the 90s.