Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle

not a fan of the voice

It was ok. Nothing really sparked for me.

Adore this record. It's just absolutely lovely. Take out of the book incorrectly, especially as there's no other Smog in the book. This is my favourite, but Dream River and Red Apple Falls are also great, and lots more besides. I'm prepared to believe that Bill really did write Eid Ma Clack Shaw lyrics in his sleep. Quirky innovations like that drivel reveal, and the one word at a time fade in from Too Many Birds hooked me in and I just fell in love with this gorgeous and comfy record. I could drink Faith/Void in all day. I've heard it so many times and only just now realised it's nearly 10 minutes long.

Not a top 1,000. Sound generic and simply nothing special

Not my cup of tea

I think this makes sense to be on the list because it's good but kind of odd. His style is unique and a bit easy to feel old but it wasn't a bad listen. At the same time I liked it more and less than I would have thought.

Odd and haunting. The vocals are almost disjointed from the music. The compositions are pleasant. The stereo mixing good. I don't dislike this. A whole album of this vocal style is a bit too much. Yet, something is intriguing.

Dumb, boring

Good background while having dinner

Es un disco muuuy tranqui, planchado mal y que no deja mucho.

I’ve listened to a few of Bill’s albums in the past, but not this one. I think it’s his best that I’ve heard and after listening to it three times it’s certainly a grower. SIWWWAE is a well crafted, idiosyncratic album that never gets boring in spite of Callahan’s deadpan vocal style. It reminds me of a more acoustic focused Lambchop, a band that probably shares fans with Smog/Callahan but incorporates more electronic music elements. Jim Cain, Too Many Birds, and My Friend are the highlights, and the droning closer Faith/Void gives the album an abstract, existential conclusion. A wonderful record that could grow into 5 stars.

this is a strangely enigmatic and fascinating album. i couldn't stop listening to it, although singer/songwriter stuff is usually not my angle.

Okay so most of this album is okay modern singer-songwriter mellow country-esque lofi deep voiced rhythmic talking with a weird bird romanticizing favor. Honestly quite chill. 3.5/5 Sidenote: Eid Ma Clack Shaw really shook me. Not because it is such a masterwork of a song (it's good), but because it sounds so familiar as if I had heard it a thousand times before and just forgotten about it. Like a dream. Which is really bizarre, considering the content of the song and the fact that I never heard of the artist, album, or any of the songs before.

Det er en lidt skør ting det her. Alternativ country.. Den var svær at komme ind i, men nummeret "All Thoughts Are Prey to Some Beast" kunne noget. Jeg vil hellere lytte til den her igen end Dolly Parton ihvertfald. Tænkte på danske Peter Wangel flere gange. Nok bare fordi de har samme måde at synge på. - Positivt.

Fed stemme. Den lægger sig lidt mellem Matt Berninger og Lou Reed. Lydmæssigt har jeg svært ved at høre country’en. Musikken minder mig mere om The National. På nogle numre er der endda de samme rastløst søgende trommer. Det er er fint og følsomt album der også er underholdende og insisterende på at være interessant. En kæmpe overraskelse der smadre min gennemsnitsrating af country

This album is so much better than the cover! I was expecting some twangy country sounds, but I got some earthy folk instead. Loved it.

I only knew Sycamore from the first album Woke On A Whaleheart prior to listening to this album. I guess I never knew Bill was so talk-sing-y? Kinda disappointed in the vocals but musically, an interesting and enjoyable album. Favorite song: Too Many Birds Least favorite: Invocation of Ratiocination Knew before? No

Little bit monotonous sound but decent. Good lyrics.

Straddling the line between hammy and sincere. It's almost like a country version of Frank Zappa. So yeah, I dig it!

I feel like I know this music… maybe it came to me in a dream? More likely I heard my partner listening to it. It’s good

Fuck. This is almost too good to be on this list. Gave me chills.

I thought it was a bit annoying voice but medium. But it's grown on me

I think I could see this growing on me, I’m surprised I never got into it before because it seems like something I would have really enjoyed in high school! Some great lyrics and his voice lends to the tone and minimalism of the project really well

Surprised I've never heard of this before. Reminds me of Mark Kozalek. I'm interested in this guy's more lo-fi stuff.

my like older millennial friends are obsessed with this dude and i remember like the dance floor of my friend tea's wedding featuring Bill Callahan tracks which was very funny to me... i think i dont exactly get it and it kinda occupies the same corniness that like conscious hip hop does in my mind

This record feels like a quiet walk through an overcast afternoon. The arrangements are gentle, with understated strings and slow, steady guitar lines. It has a touch of Leonard Cohen’s reflective tone, though it’s less heavy, more like a soft daydream. Each track takes its time, letting the mood linger without pushing too hard. There's a subtle melancholy that feels comforting, like an old memory you can’t quite place.

It was a good listen but in the end I was in no rush for a second listen.

Some nice, folk-inspired indie tunes, with some unique sounds thrown in. Chill vibe.

Very chill, folksy

This is very nice

I had a wild weird time listening to this. There's something about the mix that makes his voice sit uncomfortably on top of the music and it's probably *supposed* to be that way. To my shock, I have heard "My Friends" before somewhere, maybe my music app has figured out I'm in the 1001 algorithm, I don't. Feels like an album I may have listened to a lot in my twenties when I had a lot of room for sadboy folk-adjacent music. I'm giving this a 3 but I want to be clear that it's not a three, it's both a 2 and a 4.

In the right time of life and/or mental headspace this fucking slaps

This was pretty soothing. The whole album played like 1 and a half times and I was fine with it because it was easy listening. However, I also didn't notice that it repeated, which has to negatively affect the rating somehow.

this really was not for me. something about his vocal delivery or the way it was mixed just drove me absolutely nuts. eid ma clack shaw dealt me psychic damage

I was initially pretty hyped by the fingerpicking guitar but then we did kind of slide into more shoegazey stuff. I still liked this overall and sent it to a couple people, but I'd like the version that's more like the first song more.

Very calming, guys got a nice deep voice

This was a lovely little discovery - one that started out just ok but revealed more and more with each listen. The overall effect is calming but there’s a tension to the music at times (the interplay between guitar and strings on All Thoughts Are Prey To Some Beast, for instance) that adds a sense of awe and mystery too. The lyrics, meanwhile, somehow manage to sound both wise and worldly, and innocent and curious, and the frequent references to nature tie it all together. It's an album that takes familiar ingredients but creates something a little different to anything else I’ve heard before, so I can absolutely see why it made the list.

Enjoyed it more than I expected to.

Jim Cain is one of my favorite songs but I haven’t listened to this album as a whole much. Way better than I expected and a great modernish pick.

Definitely unique. This type of off-key singing isn't always my favorite but I thought it worked here.

Oh yes.

4/10 - It sounded like my horse that matt submitted in music league

Kinda boring. Don’t really care about it

This is unique and aesthetically pleasing — two things I can't say about many albums on here. Love it!

Meh, just ok.

This was adequate at best. Bill's vocal range is only about 3 notes, which kinda ruined the music, which I actually enjoyed. Overall, though, I'm not a fan.

If you're into someone doing an impression of singing under their breath and/or spoken word over pseudo country-folk then this album is great. For me, this is just someone's dad that thinks they have a great singing voice and rents a studio to put the horror show onto tape. It's god awful and boring. I'd rather listen to Dirk Diggler's unreleased studio album on repeat than listen to this.

Хороший сингер-сонграйтер альбом. Спотифай нагенерировал ультра плейлист после этого альбома. Лучшая песня - Jim Cain.

Didn’t like this at first. It grew on me. Background noise.

One arm drummer and 3 chord guitar for this karaoke singer in the Cracker barrel. No I didn't like it.

Got into Bill Callahan a little after researching Jim O'Rourke. I really dig his style.

I must have missed the memo

2/5. I understand the genre where this derives from but I never had an easy time getting into it. The lyrics are nice and instrumentation is simple and beautiful. The issue is the voice where there is not much going on for feeling and emotion and the monotone talking can only take me so far without getting bored. The lyrics were nice but I felt like I would rather enjoy reading a book than this audiobook. Best Song: Jim Cain, All Thoughts Are Prey To Some Beast, Eid Ma Clack Shaw

I don’t get it

Chill and sad

This is... "experimental" I guess. I couldn't get very far with that vocal delivery. Definitely from the tail end of an era of artists that adopted unlistenable as an aesthetic. The music seemed alright, from what I heard. This is the musical equivalent of a 20 something with a nice body who goes out of their way to wear the least flattering clothes they could find at the thrift store.

Never heard of Bill Callahan until now... and wished I never did. Total puke of an album.

Had no expectations going into this, but holy smokes was this incredible. Kind of a strange, dry, folksy, indie rock hybrid album. But these songs have depth and story telling, and they evolve over their durations repeatedly. My favorite example of this is Eid Ma Clack Shaw. The verses talk about a dream state that supposedly lets him visit a person he has lost, or maybe not? And then he talks about being gifted the perfect song in his dreams and when he wakes, finds out it was all gibberish. While this is a funny twist, the music here speaks with conviction that, somewhere in the nonsense, the perfect songs exists here. It also just generally slaps. Several songs are great, like The Wind and the Dove, My Friend, and All Thoughts Are Pret to Some Beast. Awesome album.

Boring

I like the quiet, indie-folk sound but most of the vocals don't really work for me. Hard to rate. Favorite tracks: All Thoughts Are Prey To Some Beast, Faith/Void

wtf is this album

Really un enjoyable and monotoned

Chill album. Not bad

Traces of Lou Reed or Nick Cave, but more musicality, great arrangements, near enjoyable to be honest.

Talented but no my jam. 2.5

3.5

Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle is the second solo album by Bill Callahan, originally released in 2009. Bill Callahan delivers an interesting blend of folk and country on this album. His deadpan vocals are definitely the focal point for me. Some of the production is a bit too much for his vocal style in my opinion. Some of the songs had lush strings that didn't really fit his vibe. I would like to hear just him and a guitar. Still a pretty good album.

This album is very gentle at times, but it seems be wrestling with some complex feelings. I really appreciated the humor and wit while also being interesting and emotional.

I loved Bill Callahan’s voice. It’s not particularly melodic, but the deep, growling rawness (and yet, he’s still gentle) of it makes me pay attention. I could listen to him sing the phone book, to be honest! The songs themselves felt quite basic, very pared back folky music, but very easy to listen to.

Never heard of this artist. Too soft for me.

Hyper articulate heavy vibes. Very dig.

tämä äp ei osaa ollenkaan laulaa.. ja tietää sen! yrittää kuitenkin parhaansa ja rakentaa sopivan musiikin sen ympärille...ei tahallaan laula paskasti.. ei voi vaan sille mitään... näin sitä pitää.. olipa erinomainen albumi. ni7n laiskan kuuloista mutta korvat on vittu hö-röl-lä koska viisauksia on tulossa... sit the fuck down and listen, 21st century indie-folk guy is about to speak... muutama biisi lässähtää liikaa eikä koskaan päästä sellaisiin korkeuksiin sellaisiin liitoihin mitä tarvitaan objektivistien huippulistoille valitettavasti.. mutta hyvä yritys kultsi... eid ma clack shaw

Good atmospheric vibes, enjoyed the lyrics

Loved this album a lot

An album I’d never heard of before, and not being a fan of country I didn’t have high hopes, but was again pleasantly surprised, I enjoyed this very much, will I come back to it, not totally sure, but glad Iv come across this album and believe it deserves its place on the list.

I enjoyed it more than expected. I really like the simple yet beautiful guitar, some hints of horns, and the deadpan vocals were a little off-putting at first but ended up growing on me. It definitely shines most in the poetic lyrics which are usually pretty tragic but find a beauty in the sadness, and often leave room for much interpretation. 6/10

Such an amazing listen. Enjoyed it throughout.

He has a rich, mesmerizing voice

I didn't hate this but didn't love it. Kinda fit my mood the morning I listened to it as it was just easy listening. Won't listen to it again though.

For some inexplicable reason I really wanted to like this but I just didn't. Very boring, must be an acquired taste.

Probably a 4.5

Rather liked this. Never heard of Bill Callahan but this was surprisingly interresting and enjoyable. Voice may take some getting used too but generally a fun record.

The faded pasture in the album artwork fits the music surprisingly well, even if this is no regular country album The first song I heard from this was "Faith/Void" for some reason (maybe an Apple Music-curated playlist). It works better as the finale from this album, but on its own I was quite turned off by its length. I will say though, that from experience the loss of faith is a painful thing, so having that message in a repetitive mantra is some delicious irony. The string arrangements are absolutely gorgeous and remind me of Parks's arrangements on Joanna Newsom's Ys. Oh wow, on a quick Wiki refresher, turns out Bill Callahan sang on that record as well! Watched the Tiny Desk concert promoting this album in the distant era of... 2009. I appreciate it even more, since Callahan's wry sense of humour came through much more clearly in that performance. was prepared to be bored by this artist; that turned out not to be a problem HL: "Eid My Clack Shaw", "The Wind and the Dove", "Too Many Birds", "All Thoughts Are Prey To Some Beast" September 10, 2024

I really didn’t have to listen to that before I died.

3.7 I liked it, Kinda has a purple mountains/silver jews vibe. Listened to a bit of smog after. This had a couple of songs that will go into my regular rotation.

Good voice, poor album.

A relaxing, laid back album. I've seen people describe it as prog country, and I agree to an extent. I do think certain bits went on for too long though, such as Faith/Void. Bill repeats the same line for about 4 minutes or so.

I like “Eid Ma Clack Shaw” alright (although I had already heard it a couple of times), but the rest of the album is just so boring.

The cheap motel-style cover art should tell you everything you need to know about this album. There is nothing interesting or unique about it. Musical melatonin.

Not enough variety in the music, and not enough vocal melody to contrast the distinctive voice.

Total snooze fest

This could have only ever come out in 2009. I mean, there is a song called Too Many Birds. There are definitely some beautiful moments here, but it’s ultimately too samesy for an entire album for me.

I just can't get past the vocal delivery, but the music is good.

Boring..

I really enjoyed this album. To be honest, I’m not too familiar with Bill Callahan. I’ve listened to Smog a few times and enjoyed it, and I once checked out a collaboration album between him and Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. Now, this album is absolutely amazing. I love his baritone voice, which is deep and full-bodied. His vocal delivery is calm and almost conversational, flowing naturally without ever sounding forced. The production is clean, crisp, polished, and layered, allowing each element to shine. It gives the music a beautiful, bright, and colorful vibe. Out of everything I’ve heard from Bill Callahan so far, this is definitely my favorite.

A perfect album for a Sunday.

I don't think I'd call this country. Folk, maybe. I hated it, hated his voice hated the vibe. Definitely won't be pulling this up again

It’s lovely. Pure and simple and honest. Birds and nature and Callahan’s reflections on life. Deceptively simple melodies and song structures make this a surprisingly deep and beautiful album

Really pretty stuff, like the country vibes going on here. Isn't clicking with me 100% just on the first listen, but I get the feeling it could be a real grower. The instrumentation is so nice, especially on the longer final track.

Another instant 5 star, one of my favs

I am completely floored

Wierdly good. Dark tones and beautifully simple music. Enjoyed.

Haunting and beautiful. Bill Callahan is one of those artists I wish I had listened to more of earlier in my life. I love his sardonic lo-fi country ballads that give a dark and lonely feeling. He uses repetition to the point where they become mantras. To be honest the album didn't grab me at first and I thought it was a bit dull. Once I settled into his style and the mood of the album I was enveloped by its duskiness

Gentle singer-songwriter, a bit foreboding-sounding at times

1. jim cain - 1 2. zhauu - 1 3. dove - 1 4. zephyr - 1.5 5. birdz - 1.5 6. friend - 1 7. beazt - 1 8. invocation - 0 9. faith - 1

Bill Callahan’s songwriting is incredible throughout the whole album. I also really like his authenticity for each song, like his voice just sounds so real and genuine. His vocals are very spoken, but there’s just enough or musicality in his voice that makes it feel like he’s telling a story, just through song. I also just like the music, too, also very authentic with acoustic guitar and acoustic drums. It’s a very cozy album, which it does a great job portraying. I feel like I’m sitting around a campfire while Callahan sings these stories to us.

Superb record this. Familiar with Smog but I dont think I’ve ever checked out his stuff under his real name. Poor lad gets banded as alt country, but the only thing remotely country for me is his accent, everything else way surpasses that genre. Probably more folk thn anything. Definitely got an air of Wilco or even very early National about this at times. Even a very tad krauty for a song or two, think it’s the drumming that does it. Great stuff anyway, will have this on a lot I reckon

The title and cover art were extremely concerning but it turns out Bill makes "alternative country" music as opposed to actual country, which seems to mean a kind of slightly country influenced indie. And it was actually pretty decent! He has a great country voice but applies it to far more interesting, enjoyable music, and the result is something very unique, at least to me. Would love to hear more, think there's a lot of mileage in this sound. Really refreshing change to standard country.

Very cool, very different. Jim Cain, and Eid Ma Clack Shaw were a strong opening to the album, and Too Many Birds was nice. Like a more miserable, Sufjan Stevens, lyrically - he mentions zombies at one point too. I really didn't like the last track though, crushingly long and repetitive.

When I saw this was listed as country, I thought I knew exactly what to expect and was fully expecting to hate it....... How wrong I was! Not quite sure what I would call it, but definitely don't think I would call it country. Not sure I can think of much to compare it with at all. It really drew me in though and thought it was really interesting. The guy sounds really familiar to me, but can't place why or who I think he sounds like. Really enjoyed it and will be back, although think it started better than it ended. Highlights were: Jim Cain Eid ma clack Shaw Too many birds 4

Unexpectedly excellent. This is an album I went into completely blind, but the first song entranced me. My notes whilst listening: Jim Cain - Oustanding song. Made me realise Callahan is the singer from Smog. Distinctive voice. Lovely, soothing guitars. Excited for the rest of this album. Jim Cain - Oustanding song. Made me realise Callahan is the singer from Smog. Distinctive voice. Lovely, soothing guitars. Excited for the rest of this album. The wind and the dove - Feels haunting in places. Twinkly piano. Slow and melodic. I like. Rococo Zephyr - Nice build up with this song. Kinda reminds me of Jim White acoustic songs. 'jaunty as a bee' is a great lyric. All thoughts are prey to some beast - my second favourite. Lots going on with this one. Also one great song title. Invocation of ratiocination - No singing but makes for a nice ambient track. Probably the weakest on the album though. Faith/void - Really like this, with the lyrics covering Faith and God. Bloody gorgeous guitar on this too. Man oh man. What a way to end an album! 'It's time to put God away' Just when you start losing faith in the 1001 album generator, an album like this comes along and the hope returns. This is really something. Brilliant music, charming lyrics. I enjoyed this throughout, it continued to impress me more and more. Highly recommended.

I liked that -- it was mellow but interesting.

I don’t mind weird voices, and I typically like experimental softer stuff ala Cotten Jones, etc. the instruments were good too but something didn’t click. This one dragged for me

What I do like about BC is how simple effective Melodie’s are married to intricate, exquisite production values. This isn’t the best I’ve heard of him, but it does give a nice nudge for me to do a deep dive …

ruim

Nah

I don't get it. Did this guy take some kinda cocktail of antidepressants? I think this music was designed for drowning yourself in the bathtub.

awful

There is nothing interesting here. I guess he’s trying to be another Leonard Coen. If I was into that, I’d just listen to Leonard Coen. But I’m not, so I’m not going to listen to either.

It gives Silver Jews in the best way, very enjoyable and poetic music with an understated delivery.

I've come late to Bill Callahan; I'm catching up gradually. This was new to me but it's lovely.

Some ideas could stand to be more fully formed, but Callahan’s melancholy and yearning are powerful. Reminds me of a folksier Cohen.

I was expecting to hate this, but instead found something that I thoroughly enjoyed.

This was a bit below three. Not so bad it was a two, but lacked anything compelling to make me listen to it twice

It's good and its enjoyable. I think it's anachronic tho

Sometimes I wish i we’re an eagle so I didn’t have to listen to this album

It's a soft, mellow country album. What Callahan lacks in depth of his voice (it's smooth though - just too smooth sometimes) he makes up for with great arrangements and lyrics. It's not your cowboy stuff.

It's fine, i don't like this style of singing that sounds just like talking, it feels like there is no passion riding on the sound waves. But it's only my opinion. I have the impression that his voice can be really amazing but he just perhaps needs to refine his style a little bit more. Having said that, I listened to his two more recent albums (2022 and 2024) and he seems to use the same style and he sounds the same, so I'm not sure if I will ever like one of his albums. But that's fine, I am just one person with my own opinions.

I thought this was decent. Not really my type of music, but it's different and got some good ideas.

This was super nice and chill and I really liked it.

Talky alternative Country.

Idc I freaking love modern country. It's basically regular country with good production lol

Soothing. Nice. Sort of boring.

I was really giving this a chance, hoping it would catch my interest. Nice mellow melodies, and then the next song was talk-sing. And the next. The whole album is talk-sing. I think if I checked out his other albums (not gonna), they'd all be talk-sing. I mean, there's a lot of Leonard Cohen songs where he isn't really singing, and a lot of Michael Gira, and Edward Ka-Spel - so I should be okay with this, right? Nope. It just felt forced to me, and grew less and less compelling as the album went along. Kept expecting him to order a sarsaparilla and tell The Dude he should swear less. Oh, and one star deduction for an album cover and title that made me wonder if I should even try to listen to it . . .

Ahh yes an artist who straddles that line between spoken word and singing. It’s like it’s a Lou Reed album if Lou was slightly happier with life. I would say that Bill Callahan is a lot less poetic than Lou Reed. Maybe he just didn’t do as many drugs. I don’t know. I’m flying off the cuff with my knowledge and thoughts of an artist. It’s not bad for background music but you won’t be playing it at parties or using it as your main sample when you DJ Choice cut: The Wind and the Dove

Very mellow, poetic and a little boring. After 30 minutes I was willing it to do something a little different to keep me engaged, and it did, and it was a bit cringy. Maybe if I was in the mood for this I could really like it, but I’m not in that place right now, so it’s getting middle marks.

Not ridiculously bad

I didn't hate it, I quite enjoyed it. Prog Country for the win

A uniquely sparse album. I don't think there's a lot of fat that could be trimmed here, everything (aside from the weirdly spooky "Invocation of Ratiocination") does feel like it belongs. Reminds me a bit of Modest Mouse, or some long-forgotten folk album of the 70s. Call it a 3.5. Favorite tracks: "All Thoughts Are Prey To Some Beast", "Jim Cain"

Day 39 - July 10th, 2024 Mid. 3/5

want on vinyl this album atomizes me i love great country songwriting

I swear Bill Callahan must have had an old man's wisdom since he was a teen...

I have never heard of this artist and will probably never listen to this album again. Really didn’t enjoy it. The music/ tunes were lovely but I just didn’t like some bloke talking over them.

Usually not my bag, but I kinda dug on most of this. Except for that last song. That was a ten minute song that could've easily been 2 mins. And shoulda been. Repeating the same line for 8 full mins is just playing with yourself.

Who does Bill Callahan sound like? I turned on this record and I was like okay I've definitely listened to this guy before but I didn't recognize him or find him on any of my playlists. I'm a big fan of this style of sad indie-folk. The music is chill and easy listening while the lyrics are kind of intense and deeply personal. This album reminds me so much of the indie music I was into around this time which makes it incredibly nostalgic. Okay I figured it out. Bill Callahan sounds exactly like Silver Jews or maybe it's the other way around, I dunno.

This was cool. It honestly just felt like generic 2000s indie. It sounded like 15 different artists from my youth. Not bad! I enjoyed it.

I’m not certain I need to listen to it before I die. It’s nice and I like Callahan’s voice. Can it be just that?

beautiful music and i want to like bill callahan more, but he's just another case of a voice I don't like at all. he can't help that though, and he's brilliant when it comes to all the stuff he can

Do I actually like Country and just didn't realize it? This doesn't sound like what I think of as being country, and I really enjoyed it! I will definitely be checking out more of Bill Callahan's work. "Eid Ma Clack Shaw" and "Invocations of Ratiocination" were my top tracks. I feel like this project is making me realize I really do enjoy instrumentals/interludes/soundscape tracks, which I would never have guessed.

Those horses on the album cover are warning you - stay the fuck away from this album. "Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle" {sic} because an eagle could not play this album. Couldn't play any other albums either, but it would almost be worth it. Why? Just why did this make a list of any arbitrarily large number of albums that you must listen to before you die?

It all sounds the same, and it sounds derivative. It's not something I need to listen to again.

Not bad but I found myself zoning out a lot during it's run. 2.5 bumped to a 3. It probably shouldn't even be on this list if we're being honest.

i had to take 2 fully days to get through this album. there is such a deep weariness and sadness in Bill’s voice that i’ve seen very few artists replicate. it fits so perfectly over the sparse and sometimes a little plain instrumentals. you’re really just there to listen to Bill, and he has a lot to say. he brings devastating lyrical content to the table, only aided by his unique tone that adds so much more character to the album. he sounds so tired, not apathetic but too exhausted by life to care about much anymore. it’s so human, and i can’t wait to hear more from him.

gentle, drawn out, sad lyrics .... love his take indie/folk rock. I don't love it but I don't hate it. That's all I got for this one.

I was worried when I saw the cover but I live this type of indie music. Really good, made me feel things.

Un artiste mature qui exsude une assurance tranquille, bâtissant sur une fondation solide de folk pour s'élever dans son propos singulier

“Alternative country” - worst combination of genres possible. Hold the country and give me the full blast of alternative instead please.

Well okay, this is why I'm doing this list. Love this.

Крепкий альбом, но я не любитель такого жанра

I liked this one. Not the most exciting, but will definitely revisit for more listens.

I quite liked this album; it hits a nice combination of "great background music with a strong vibe" with "there's a lot to listen to if you turn it up." His voice is unique and enjoyable. I was tempted to give this a 5, but I think part of that was the novelty; I wasn't familiar with this artist before, so this was a pleasant surprise. On balance, I think this is 4 stars -- I think this is something I'll come back to and enjoy.

Really enjoyed this.

Alternative countrya ja on kyllä ihan siistiä. Jotkut kappaleet on kuin musikaalista. Sit on myös perinteisempää countrya. Parhaat: Eid Ma Clack Shaw, All Thoughts Are Pray For Some Beast, Rococo Zephyr

At first I thought this album was pretty deep and Callahan was a singer like that guy from the national with the super deep voice. As the album progressed I realized he just isn’t that good of a singer and lyrically this is pretty good but it doesn’t make the album stand out that much. It’s a calm low toned album of various different life perceptions. 5.5/10

Beautiful and serene without any of the cheesiness of normal country music. No girls, beer, or tractors in sight.

Hyvä!

Missed this at the time but was listening to plenty of similar stuff, Timber Timbre, Bonny Primce BIlly, Sun Kill Moon. This fits right in with those. It's nice enough, a rare country-tinged album I can get along with. But it is a bit more of the same. It was OK.

His low voice and the lovely production makes listening to the album calming yet impactful. Callahans lyrics are engaging. My favorite song was "Too Many Birds" as it has solid guitarwork, what sounds like a nice fiddle and some particularly fabulous songwriting. I appreciate that Callahan is conveying some big themes through metaphors of animals and such, but I couldn't catch too much of it. All in all a beautiful and serene album : )

Good

There’s a bit of wit in this. Generous 3.

I dig that he has an interesting voice and the music was actually pretty cool but I’m rating a 2 because to me it doesn’t sound like it was properly recorded like they weren’t sure how to mic him so this is a 2 for technical reasons.

This album is great, though not as good as his 2007 release. Too Mamy Birds and My Friend were my favorites here.

The combination of Bill’s lyricism, singing voice, and songwriting create an unmatchable feeling of melancholy that becomes something to truly behold. Not to mention, the horn and string arrangements on this thing set the perfect backdrop to the world Bill attempts to build for the listener. By the last track, you feel empty, yet with a resounding sense of hope, as long as you have faith in pure humanity.

it sounds like its a parody on songs that try to mean something profound, in the style of folksy music. I dont like it but I can't hate it either

I think I bloody love this and need to explore Bill and Smog more. Total love. 4

Oh I love Bill Callahan's near-monotone voice. I'm more familiar with his Smog work and haven't ever listened to this album. But this scratches the same itch. I bet this gets savaged by other people on this site.

Stamping a place amongst underground circles for years under pseudonyms, Bill Callahan came around to using his own name and forged a concrete identity with it. His second record, Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle, is a revelatory, riveting listening experience from start to finish. Not a note is wasted, every minute of a song has meaning and it pulls you into a world you'd wish you'd stay in for longer than forty-eight minutes. I've got nothing else to add other than give it a listen. I'm glad I had.

Ok

Something about his voice timbre and/or the forwardness of his voice in the mix doesn’t really match the instrumental sound. Or maybe it’s that he doesn’t really sing so much as talk. I mostly liked the instruments (3.0)and mostly disliked his singing (2.0). 2.5

I get Leonard Cohen/Nick Cave/Jack Johnson vibes from his vocals... it's good, but his low voice makes the songs feel extra sleepy. Some of the instrumentation is very nice, but overall it's a very chill album that's good as background. 3.4

good voice, was a nice singer songwriter album to listen to with some interesting ideas

Maybe a 3

Gillade andra låten. I övrigt fanns det ju mer att önska.

Country folk, very monotone. Not my thing at all, and ended up liking it in the end. All Thoughts are Prey to Some Beast is the highlight for me.

man what is this

I listened to this while inside on a rainy day, and I feel like it fit the vibe perfectly. Calm soothing indie folk is a vibe I enjoy a lot, and I loved this album.

Enjoyed this way more than I had expected!

Zzzzzzz

known country music hater hates country album

Very good

I knew BC from only one song, "The Mackenzies" which I loved. This album has delivered a lot more. And I love that it works as a whole, something not so often seen in the selection I've had so far. Doubted between the 4 and 5 stars - 4 because of a couple of weird turns in the music that I didn't love. Other than this, a whole universe in itself - we are all soothed into it by Bill's honey baritone.

Not terrible, just so bland it's soul crushing. Not even notable enough to be mad at.

Interesting enough for me to listen again

Bill Callahan es uno de los mejores cantautores alternativos surgidos de la escena indie rock norteamericana. Con un ligero regreso a su inicial estilo lo-fi (cuando se hacía llamar Smog), Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle (A veces desearía que fuéramos un águila) es un disco oscuro, en el que Bill Callahan da muestras de enfado y misantropía, pero musicalmente sencillo de escucha en su voz de barítono casi lineal. No hay lugar al engaño, desde el arranque con \"Jim Cain\", se anticipa de lo que vamos a encontrar: introspección y duda. Me gustan los aires orientales que resuenan por detrás en \"The Wind and The Dove\" y el tono semi-épico, con un ritmo que simula el paso del caballo hasta el galope final, de \"All Thoughts Are Prey to Some Beast\" (Todos los pensamientos son presa de alguna bestia).

Started off very strong, slightly loses momentum.

Unconventional but not so much as to discourage emotional connection. The poetic songwriting is strong enough to justify the eschewing of traditional structure. Gentle piano and string arrangements abound. Didn’t even really mind the monotonous vocals, they somehow fit. Listened to: walking on the high line. Favorite tracks: Eid Ma Craw Shaw, Rococo Zephyr

Country alternativo, folk. Curioso. Un 4.

Alternative country.

“Jim Cain” is first-rate, particularly the yearning-edgy-icy strings, which balance out the heavy (close to plodding) baritone. “Faith/Void” is also terrific, one’s personal song of the year whichever year one first heard it. One digs this and believes all sorts of listeners would benefit from more time with JC. “Too Many Birds” and “My Friend” are strongest of the middle cuts, some of which do sag. “All Thoughts” is not one of those, with poignant little riffs, in the middle of some menacing percussion, ominous strings and brass. The whole thing is lovely, with literary touches and a depth that one experiences as spiritual (or spiritually inclined), notwithstanding the atheistic leanings of the meditative (and unforgettable) closer. A highly interesting and impactful inclusion on this list that in no way deserved to be exed from the book.

This one didn’t hit do it for me. I get his vibe and the Leonard Cohen-esque voice and delivery, but it didn’t work for me. And I had to end the last song because it was way too repetitive for nearly 10 minutes.

Ah this is nice. Fav songs - Jim Cain - all the songs are a similar quality so there ain't many particular standouts.

kinda boring 2/5

My friends is a great song, the rest range from pretty good to meh.

Beautiful album 👌👌👌

3.5/5

One of the best surprises I had so far in the 1001 list. Dark, melodic, impressive.

A fully flat voice Barely sings formal ditties On sweet melodies

Writing this one a bit away from listening, but it felt like a bit of a slog. Poetry for sure, but not something I’d revisit.

No jaa. Ihan hauskoja hokemia, mutta aika lauleluksi meni, mitä nyt välillä erikoisuudentavoittelun puolelle (sanoituksissa). En lämmennyt.

Artistilla ei ole taitoa tai kiinnostusta erotella hauskoja ideoita hupsuista. Hänellä ei myöskään ole riittävää huumorintajua matalaan puhelauluun.

i enjoyed the instrumentals, just didn’t care for the singer

Beautiful instrumentals but the vocals were not great.

Very Nick Drake inspired. Some cool lyrics, but don't love the melancholy vibe. My second time hearing this in the last few years, put on my do not repeat list, but decided to give it one more shot. Same outcome.

Not quite as unique as people perhaps think- there are many many artists banging their heads against the wall and not many get through. Bill did though and this is good to listen to. Honest, human with integrity.

Anesthesia in musical form.

My Friend is a great tune

This is all quite well put together. Like the production, the vocals, a lot of the lyrics. Something about this one. Something about it, I don't know.

There's something authoritative and reassuring about Callahan's voice that elevates proceedings. A lovely little amble through the mystical backwaters of alt-Americana.

I was so prepared to hate this, but it’s lovely. Lyrics are original, thoughtful, not in the least bit twee. Production is deeply layered, much subtle use of strings and the like. Somehow it manages to seem both rich and understated at the same time. There’s much effort here, but also much artful harmony.

I'd never dream of listening to this without the prompt. Brilliantly well done, well crafted, fantastic album.

it's time to put this album away forever

I really liked this. Never heard of Bill Callahan before, and thought at the beginning it was going to be another mid alt-country recording, but had so much more going for it than that. Definitely something I'll be coming back to.

This just isn't my genre, but I did think it was good for the genre. There were bits I actually liked a lot. The singing vaguely reminded me of something like Calvin Johnson. I don't especially dig the baritone vocal style. 3/5

Pretty, but not really for me. I’m glad I got to check this out but I don’t see this being something I go back to. C… +?

While I prefer an album Apocalypse, this one is still very good. What a great story teller and such an amazing voice. 4 stars

Really enjoying the composition of Eid Ma Clack Shaw. The strings were unexpected, but add a ton of depth to his fairly non-dynamic (verging on deadpan) delivery. I found myself bouncing along. Invocation of Ratiocination is eerie as shit -- almost like a Boards of Canada song. I found this to be a fairly light and sleepy album. I enjoyed it for the most part, but I do have a hard time with the vocals. For some reason deep non-dynamic droning vocals just turn me off; it is for this same reason that I cannot get into a number of other bands. This falls pretty middle of the pack for me.

These songs have a Johnny cash vibe. Like he turned up the mic volume over the instrumental. Wasn't terrible to listen to but wasn't the intriguing. 3 stars

Good voice, calm tunes, nice strings. High 3.

I really like the effect that his monotone deep voice puts on the album. It compliments really well with the piano and guitar that are sneaky good in the background. The drums aren't too shabby as well. I am going to have to give this another listen because some absolute Marklar at work kept interrupting me, but first listen is certainly a pretty high 4.

Ayy this guy is from Silver Spring and was in the band SMOG. This dude sounds like a way better Tom Waits. Can't remember if it was Too Many Birds or My Friend but that shit rocked. Going with a low 4 here but honestly going to come back for another listen today.

I enjoyed this Artist and Album - hadn't heard of either before. Relaxing vibe, beautiful voice and some interesting lyrics

Unusual genre – country prog? Most of the tracks are pretty long (though none overstay their welcome) and any instrumentation/melody changes within songs are very gradual and subtle. Bill Callahan's voice is old-fashioned, almost Johnny Cash-esque but with a less pleasant vocal quality. Sounds a bit underproduced. It's a weird juxtaposition with the otherwise fairly clean production, but still cool-sounding regardless. Also fun to hear the half-spoken half-sung vocal style that seems to be a rarity in the post-2000s era of music. Beautiful string playing. It's quite raw-sounding; it really sounds like a string ensemble, or (at some points) an entire Romantic-era orchestra, is playing on the stage behind Callahan. And yet, it's a very thin texture. Generally I'm not a fan of thin textures unless they're placed as a contrast to much thicker, more dramatic textures in other places. That isn't really the case here; the album doesn't have much sense of "flow" or "ups and downs". It commits to one thoughtful, melancholic mood and sticks to that throughout, which definitely limits audience excitement. The strongest instruments are the acoustic guitar and piano. Simple and pretty playing over (mostly) standard chords. The drums, during their appearances, are played lightly and tastefully. 3/5 Key tracks: Jim Cain, Too Many Birds, My Friend

Gave this many chances, and while a few tracks felt soulful, the overall vibe just didn't speak to me, and I found the repeated lyrics pretty underwhelming. It's time to put this record away.

Appealing voice, unusual sound. And sooo boring.

I don’t hate and don’t love it. But it’s pretty good, quite outside of my usual genres. I liked Eid Ma Clack Shaw. Not sure how much I would listen to this in the future but definitely has its place!

Mournful strings and horns over sparce acoustic singer songwriter tracks with distinctive and characterful vocals. Right up my ally. Rating: 4/5 Playlist track: Jim Cain Date listened: 27/04/24

Fine. Pleasant. Am I a horse?

Ah, love me some Bill Callahan. This might not hit me the way Apocalypse or some of the Smog albums have, but I can’t deny its greatness. Solid stuff.

I hadn’t heard this before and really liked it.

It was an easy, mellow listen first thing in the morning but I’m not sure how it found it’s way on to this list as it was just a gentle country song compilation. One track in particular raised the general sound so I’m giving a generous low 3*

So unassuming yet so fascinating. Well written, composed and arranged in it's simplicity. So many subtleties. Second listen through is even better than the first.

Didn't mind this. Not one I would play often, but I quite like Bill's voice and his general demeanour. I couldn't hum any of the songs back to you, or name them, but I enjoyed this.

I knew nothing about this. There's a commanding voice reflects the delicacy of the songs. It reminded me of Richard Hawley, never a bad thing. There's a very polished sound, but maintaining a DIY feel. Monday morning music.

Chill album, didn’t like his style of singing, he was mostly talk singing and that doesn’t appeal to me

Lots and lots of cool stuff here. Glad this is my first album of his. Room to grow. 4/5

Monotone and interesting in parts. Enjoyed more than I hated

Really lovely album throughout, with lyrics that paint beautiful pictures. Not an every day listen, but emotionally affecting. Favorite tracks: "Too Many Birds" (his only song with which I had prior familiarity) and "All Thoughts Are Prey To Some Beast."

Never heard of this guy, obviously a big influence on David Berman and Silver Jews

Singer-songwriter, alt-country, Americana. I was pretty skeptical of this album at first, not really the genres I delve into a lot especially one as recent as this. The first song kind of threw me off, some of the vocals sounded dangerously close to spoken word and I did not want a full album of that. But as the album progressed, Callahan shows off his vocal ability and the lush, soothing instrumentals backing him really pulled me in. It was a very mellow and introspective album, the lyrics clearly felt very personal even if I didn't read into them a whole lot. I think this album was mixed and produced masterfully and I loved how weird it occasionally got. I felt like it picked up a lot in quality towards the later half, but it could have been that I listened to that part at a different time. Overall, very happy with this album. I would love to listen to it again and read the lyrics. Really want to relisten. 4.5/5

"Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle" by Bill Callahan, released in 2009, is a sonic exploration that delves deep into the human experience with poetic lyricism, minimalist instrumentation, and introspective themes. Let's delve into a comprehensive review of the album, examining its lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, while also highlighting its pros and cons. **Lyrics:** Callahan's lyrics in "Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle" are evocative and thought-provoking, often characterized by their vivid imagery and philosophical ponderings. He explores themes of love, longing, solitude, and the complexities of human relationships with a poetic sensibility that invites introspection. Lines like "I used to be sorta blind, but now I can sorta see" from the track "Too Many Birds" exemplify Callahan's ability to convey profound truths through simple yet profound language. **Music:** The music on this album is sparse yet richly textured, providing a perfect backdrop for Callahan's contemplative lyrics. The arrangements are carefully crafted, with delicate guitar work, subtle percussion, and occasional flourishes of piano and strings. The music serves to enhance the emotional resonance of the lyrics, creating a haunting and immersive listening experience. **Production:** The production on "Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle" is understated yet meticulous, allowing Callahan's vocals and lyrics to take center stage while still capturing the nuances of the instrumentation. The album has a warm, intimate sound that draws the listener in, with each instrument and vocal track perfectly balanced within the mix. The production values contribute to the overall atmosphere of introspection and melancholy that permeates the album. **Themes:** The themes explored in "Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle" are deeply existential, grappling with questions of identity, mortality, and the search for meaning in a complex world. Callahan's lyrics often delve into the inner workings of the human psyche, exploring the depths of emotion with a raw honesty that is both unsettling and cathartic. Themes of loneliness and isolation are also prevalent throughout the album, reflecting the universal experience of grappling with the human condition. **Influence:** "Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle" showcases Callahan's unique blend of folk, indie rock, and Americana influences, while also pushing the boundaries of genre conventions. His introspective lyrics and minimalist approach to songwriting have influenced a new generation of singer-songwriters, earning him critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. The album's exploration of existential themes and its innovative use of instrumentation have also left a lasting impression on the indie music scene, inspiring artists to push the boundaries of their craft. **Pros:** 1. Poetic lyricism: Callahan's lyrics are rich with imagery and depth, inviting listeners to ponder the complexities of the human experience. 2. Emotional resonance: The music and production create a haunting atmosphere that resonates with the listener on a deeply emotional level. 3. Inventive instrumentation: The sparse yet textured arrangements showcase Callahan's innovative approach to songwriting, creating a unique sonic landscape. 4. Introspective themes: The album's exploration of existential themes adds depth and complexity to the listening experience, inviting introspection and reflection. **Cons:** 1. Pacing: Some listeners may find the album's slow pace and minimalist instrumentation to be a bit monotonous at times. 2. Lack of diversity: While the album excels in creating a cohesive atmosphere, some may find the lack of variation in tone and tempo to be limiting. 3. Accessibility: Callahan's introspective lyrics and minimalist approach may not appeal to all listeners, particularly those who prefer more upbeat or melodic music. In conclusion, "Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle" is a masterful exploration of the human condition, combining poetic lyricism, inventive instrumentation, and introspective themes to create a haunting and immersive listening experience. While the album may not be to everyone's taste, its emotional resonance and artistic ambition make it a standout achievement in Bill Callahan's discography.

Alternative country.

I question who this pseudo-intellectual nonsense is for. Most people who want to write shitty poetry aren't paid by a label and given studio time to do so, myself included. The songs are trite and overindulgent, gummed up with strings and heavy thesaurus work. I can imagine this being the sort of album someone from a "hip" place would claim to like to have "indie cred." Fucking nonsense.

Nice voice!

Loooove the instrumentals. Lovely. Buuuuut I cant just lie and say the vocals dont bother me. Its not his tone. I like Lee Hazlewood and Jonny Cash and Protomartyr's Joe Casey...other singers with a more gutteral talk-sing kind of style and range. But theres something about Calahan's, i think its two things: I tend not to connect with a singer when it sounds like they are improvising the melody. Its supposed to sound unlabored, i guess. But to me its clunky. Like I get the image of him reading through a diary and just shooting the melody from the hip. For some it might work...but even when Morrisey of the Smiths does it(Morrisey didnt write the instrumentals, only the lyrics and lyrical melodies) I find myself recoiling a bit. In a similar way, its like the writers prose are getting in the way of my immersion, as opposed to enhancing it. In other words, there is something self concious feeling about the vocals that borders on kiche, or a novelty thing. I think his delivery on the closer track is my favorite, at least the repeated line...its too bad it is underwritten and the second half isnt quite as polished sounding. The second track is a bit closer, but it gets stuck in my head, in a bad way. I really want to like this more than I do. Especially because the sound of the record, and the instrumentals are basically A+ for me. Sorry Bill. Fuck you Bill. Just kidding Bill.

I was a bit worried seeing the country label paired with the low overall rating but this caught me by surprise. It had nothing to do with country. Some doom folk maybe? And the low overall rating on albums I really like is nothing new. This is going onto my heavy rotation; what a beautiful piece of art

What a nice surprise! I really liked this album

It was alright, not a lot stood out to me really.

This was interesting. Never need to listen to it again.

The music is lush and pleasing, but the voice is fucking awful. I can't do it.

Gives me a little bit of Leonard Cohen vibes? 2.5

the only thing i can compare this to is Black Country New Road. cool for the eclipse but quite niche

Another confusing album for me as it classes as Country. I can't say I really liked it, but I disliked it less than most country music.

I had never heard of Bill Callahan before, and I really enjoyed this album! Ended up listening to a couple of his other albums too. Albums like this one are why I wanted to get into the 1001 albums!

I liked this one, it struck a chord with me! Reminded me of Bahamas

Decent

Boring. Not bad, but not my thing at all. 2.3.

I'm glad this one was on the list.

If Nick Drake and Bill Callahan would be that baby. And Ayers would deny paternity to this mawkishness. *snore*.

Loves me a bit of Bill. His lyrics like prose, he just sings whatever he needs to and his voice is so beautiful.

Музыка чтобы просто быть, меня унесло, спасибо

музыкально это просто 2-3 (ну норм) но ебучая магия голоса и атмосферы меня захватила и пленила. я хз, это странное чувство что ни я контролировал музыку а она меня алкоальбом: батя взял гитару у родственников и начал петь песни. а вы после водочки уже хорошо себя чувствуете

Блин, мы слушали что-то похожее уже точно! Там где чел записал музыку у озера. И голос у этого чела такой знакомый! Прям... Создалось впечатление, что мы с ним друзья. Это очень какая-то интимная что ли музыка. Мечтательная. Не очень сложная, но дико атмосферная. Любимая композиция - The Wind and The Dove

4.5

Bill had potential, but delivered some weird vibes

Nice relaxing easy listening. I thought the spoken word was unique and it made for a nice dispensary trip

What shall be henceforth known as a four star serenade

Don't know who Bill is but enjoyed that enough

So…. Relaxing…

4.0

Don’t like this guys voice.

Singer/songwriter, lidt country over det, lyder ældre end det er

I don’t need any more sing-talking pseudo psychology in my life. I already havre Tom Waits. Also, a 10 minute track proclaiming god dead in 2009? It’s been done man. In the 60s. Everyone got the point then. Maybe if it made a point I would cut it some slack but instead it repeats itself 75 times without elaborating on the concept. It’s shallow and hollow like the rest of the album.

Love this album! 4.5/5

This album flows so beautifully between songs - I didn't realize it had started over. I will revisit

Favorite Songs: The Wind and The Dove Eid Ma Clack Shaw Faith/Void

Not bad. Tom Waites lite

I liked the song where he used horse imagery :) the rest was fine, it did suffer from the 10 minute long song at the end curse again, so +1 for horse -1 for long song

Nice

I was an instant fan of Bill Callahan when I first head him under the name Smog but I haven't really dived deep into his catalog so it was nice to spend time with this record. It certainly reminds me of what drew me in the first time with the way he just delivers such simple concepts. Faves from today: Eid Ma Clack Shaw, My Friend, and Faith/Void for the line about tear gas at his grave.

I've listened to Bill Callahan (and Smog) a little before, but it never made too much of an impact. He's got a fantastic voice, and the songs are usually very lush, melodic arrangements, so I suspect I've tended to let it drift into the background. Well, this project has prompted me to pay closer attention, and I _loved_ what I heard. Such fantastic lyrics! He's maybe kinda in the same ballpark as Nick Cave, but whereas Cave is theatrical and bombastic, Callahan is more introspective, tinged with melancholy and .... hope? Great stuff - will make a point of going through his back catalog now. Fave tracks - "Too Many Birds", "My Friend" and "All Thoughts Are Prey To Some Beast" is a hell of a 3 track run!

More Americana than I have ever delved into, but with lofi and indie elements. I really enjoyed this album. Several parts where his voice is so low, very sonorous. He sings like he’s sitting down. Feels like that creaking saddle.

i could barely get thru a song its so boring 1.5/5

Nice voice

Not what I was expecting - don't know what I expected - I knew nothing of Bill Callahan - but when the talk singing came on and he was going on about nonsense - I was certainly entertained. Entertained is a purpose of an album - so it gets points for that...but otherwise it's not anything special

This was an interesting one, it reminds me a lot of The National, most of the lyrics have a spoken word delivery over very simple guitar with a drum backing track. Musically it's not very complex and the focus is on the lyrics, what he's trying to convey. It has a very melancholy feel throughout. Overall it wasn't bad

Like the guitars and drums, the spare arrangements. I also like his voice. Inflections sometimes annoying. Lyrics are a bit too avant-garde poetry spacy weird for me. Then came Invocation of Ratiocination, which was both weird and annoying. My first impression of guys like this is they smarter than me and I just don’t get it. But then I realized he’s just weirder than me, and I still don’t get it.

Mellow, pleasant, informal but well-thought-through with tender moments and little emotional sweeps. A lovely album I'll listen to again.

Kinda boring, sounds like a folk-emo thing with a guy who has a deep voice. Faith/Void is nice: "it's time to put god away" over and over are magnificent lyrics and has a haunting melody.

Meh...it's fine for a singer songwriter album, but it's really not all that interesting either. His voice borders on my biggest pet peeve of singers who sound bored while singing. Favorite track: Eid Ma Clack Shaw

What a breath of fresh air. I would have never expected something like this to be on this list. It surprises me every once in a while I guess. Very lovely.