Scott 4 is Scott Walker's fifth solo album. It was released in late 1969 under his birth name, Scott Engel, and failed to chart. Reissues have been released under his stage name. It has since received praise as one of Walker's best works.
The guy is a little bitch and let's it be known with his singing
Bravo. I'll take this over the Tim Buckley's and Nick Drake's of the vastly overrated cult sect. And unlike Leonard Cohen, I find Scott Walker's voice oftentimes majestic. Walker seemed to be as genuinely fucked up and averse to fame as Buckley and Drake, but he outlived those fuckers by a long shot, dying in 2019 at the age of 76. I suppose that's a blessing: Walker was spared being around for the Covid Pandemic. I can't imagine how depressed that would have made him (just listen to "It's Raining Today" from his previous album to hear how distraught he'd get over the weather; this dude didn't feel the same elation about rain as Eddie Rabbit did). His songs aren't as depressing here, although I actually enjoy the songs where Walker leans into his melancholy side. I have a sneaky suspicion we'll have a Scott Walker Renaissance in the near future.
As a teenager in the mid 90s reading about music in the NME and Q, this was always mentioned in hushed tones as one of the all-time greats so I went in with high expectations and was initially disappointed. The Morricone-esque opener aside, the first few tracks on first listen seem on first listen quite standard MOR crooner territory. However as the album progresses and you tune into Walker's dark songs (touching on subject matter like Bergman films, the Warsaw Pact and PTSD) through his beautifully rich voice, it clicks into place. The second half becomes more musically varied and ambitious. On second listen, I loved it all and it feels like a proper album that builds and flows - the perfect length at 30 minutes too. It also got me listening to some of his later, avant-garde output too which seems right up my street - The Drift in particular feels like a horror movie on record. Top Tracks: Boy Child, Get Behind Me, Rhymes of Goodbye, Old Man's Back Again (Dedicated to the Neo Stalinist Regime)
What tremendous balls to name an album after yourself, and do it 4 times? Nice. Also a pretty solid album.
Ballad king, bit of a mixed bag. Some really good, but also some forgettable tracks.
My favourite unheard album so far, it's very cool. Big baritone voice, flamenco guitar, strings, Gregorian chanting AND some scatting. The Old Man's Back Again is my highlight - the bass line is wild
Avant garde and avant odd, Scott 4 is like one of those twisty metal statues you'd find in a statue gallery - kinda quirky and imposing from far away, but a lot more detailed up close. That is to say, I don't know how to review music, and this is all coming out of my ass. Definitely deserves a second listen, especially when I'm not playing GTA.
Awful. The sound of depression
Dull and passionless
The front half is fantastic. Very melodic and calm. The warm smooth baritone of Engel/Walker's voice is so satisfying. "The Seventh Seal" finds a groove that I didn't expect from the intro to it. The bass manages to drive the song while not drawing undue attention to it in the mix of so much else. It is such a complex track that feels like it belongs in a old movie as a main characters theme. Which makes a lot of sense reading about what it was based on. "Angel of Ashes" is another very peaceful somewhat ethereal track. I really liked the song "Boy Child", my mom has called me that since I was young. The lyrics are pretty strange though for that connection. The back half starts off strange. "Hero of the War" is a complete shift in style. "The Old Man's Back Again (Dedicated to the Neo-Stalinist Regime)" fall somewhere between the sound of the first half and the energy of the opening to the B-side. That track has fantastic bass on it. "Get Behind Me" is another great bass driven track. Though I don't love his scatting on the outro. "Rhymes of Goodbye" was a good but nothing too special outro track. I am conflicted on what to give this album. I love the way the album is mixed. The vocals for the most part are smooth and easy to listen to. The bass work on the album is fantastic as well. There is so much to pick out and dissect that I will need to listen to a few more times to grasp fully. I however don't love the back half as much. It jumps around and is a completely different mood to the front half. It still contains good songs, but the mood shift is a bit harsh. I think I do need to give it a 5 star rating. I love most of the album and certainly will listen to it again.
Brand new to this music and I absolutely love this album, might turn into a baroque pop nerd thanks to this album.
Scott 4 is a masterpiece. Hero of the War, Old Man Back, Duchess, most songs here are fantastic and bear multiple listens. The drama in his voice is sincere rather than overdone or lame, production is stellar, lyrics are incredible even on their own. Indescribably better than the politician.
Ok so I thought it was a lot more grounded than Scott 2. I had it on over the home speakers and while nothing grabbed me I thought it was a descent album with some great talent. 3.1.
1969. Key Songs: The World's Strongest Man, The Old Man's Back Again
Outdated; very "old" sounding, and not in a good way. Very slow and no song was memorable. No hooks and no traditional verse-chorus-bridge structure, so it makes for a tedious listen. Instrumentation is fantastic though. Really enjoy the strings and other orchestral features. This along bumps it up a star. 5/10.
I have no idea why this guy is on the list. He might have influenced a lot of people, but the most notable thing he did for me was influence me to never listen to this again. 2/5
Didn't care for Scott 2, also didn't care for Scott 4. Maybe Scott 3 is the sweet spot?
As one of those Gen X freaks who got into Scott Walker through his stark work from Tilt onwards, this is both new to me and eerily familiar. I've probably heard some of this on Julian Cope's "Fire Escape in the Sky" compilation, but also through those who followed. I doubt this would've meant much to me back when I first heard Walker. I'm reminded of a comment Julian Barnes made about opera not making sense until the listener has been through some of the harder moments of life, and right now I feel the same about Scott 4: it's epic framing and enormous delivery - but what else could he do with that voice? - could seem absurd, but have become sublime. I'll get this and listen to it more.
A December album, sat by the fireplace, staring out at the gently falling snow, going downtown to see the lights. Standout Tracks: The Seventh Seal, On Your Own Again, Angels Of Ashe, Duchess
Love the anti-war tracks. Love the sweeping, western orchestral instrumentals. Can dip into early 60s ballad territory a little hard sometimes. Favorite tracks: "Hero of the War", "The Seventh Seal", "Boy Child"
A very warm album. Amazing voice, his storytelling is top notch if not a little cheesy at time but that just adds to the character I guess. The world's strongest man is my fav definitely.
The Seventh Seal is amazing Orchestration is incorporated into band's music very nicely Deep, rich voice Slowly paced until late on in the album
Went into this blind and discovered an artist I'd never heard. I really recommend.
First half was stronger than the second half, but I would definitely give this one another listen. The record was lush and Scott's voice was super pleasant.
Apparently baroque pop is a thing and apparently it's a subgenre of rock and not pop. Either way I liked this album. It's just a man singing his songs accompanied with melodic rock music.
Nice album. I could hear how it influenced other great musicians.
Album #: 350 (#298 rated) first impressions: this is probably going to be weird. it's like nick cave meets barry manilow so far? after listening through: i mean, is he just andy shauf/jens lekman for boomers? i kind of get it in that sense. post-reading reviews/wiki: no relation to the former (trash) governor of Wisconsin, or his dad or anything, in case you were also wondering. recommended for: those looking for easier listening than some of the other late 60's singer/songwriters without as vapid as some of the pop music from that era.
Enjoyed this a lot more than expected; prejudiced mainly because this album (and Walker in general) are oft-cited by some of the most pretentious folk I've encountered (not you, Mark!). Starts off quite dodgy, The Seventh Seal reading like a 6th form art piece, with a depth of analysis matched only by my glancing half-heartedly at the Bergman film in the background two decades ago. It gets better, and by The Old Man's Back Again his voice and his craft had won me over. Not sure I'm up for re-evaluating Tilt, but Scott 4 was fun for 30-(quite) odd minutes.
It’s 12:30 am. I split my aces. Double down on both hands. Bust a 5 carder on one hand. Draw to a 20 on the other. Dealer draws 3 cards to a 21. Busted. I stumble away from the table to the buffet. On the way I hear Scott Walker singing Scott 4 to a room with 9 out of 10 seats empty. Against my better judgment, I decide to sit down. He gets to Boy Child. I puke and pass out. I wake upon impact after security has tossed me to the curb.
In my Scott 2 review I said I’d be open to listening to 1,3,4,5 kinda as a joke but now that I actually did get another one of his albums I want Scott 2 get the fuck off the rest of this list 4 I am tired of it now. This one wasn’t really fun at all despite it having duchess and old man’s back again because it had no quirkiness or uniqueness. Just some music ig.
Opening up the album it sounds like the start of some Mariachi, before moving into almost a lounge act. A couple more songs in, and it still sounds like a lounge act. Like I'm at a bar in Vegas at 3 in the afternoon and this guy is singing on stage as all the drunks go crazy on 99 cent shrimp cocktail, and his job is to lull them all to sleep so they stop choosing the casino money. It's fine musically, but I want to feel the music in my bones; this is nap time music. The Old Man's Back Again has a nice groove, good bass line. He seems to run out words in a few of his songs, this one included, so he just starts scatting as the music fades out. Takes away from the song and I don't care for it. I don't mind a fade out from time to time, but this screams of "I don't know how to end a song". 4 out of the 10 songs end with some variation of "Bweee ba da dum dweedlee bee bumda Doo" as the music fades out. One time and I'd have been like, "That's an odd way to end a song". But 4 times? What the heck, man.
Nick Cave sure loved this record, but I don't.
Is this a parody? The production value is high, so was whoever signed this dude.
Name "Scott" was already taken, but he found a brilliant solution. >The album failed to chart and was deleted soon after. It has been speculated that Walker's decision to release the album under his birth name of Scott Engel contributed to its chart failure. It says a lot when a must-hear album fails to chart without a popular name to back it up. I hate this album so much, and I haven't even started listening to it yet Well, it's the same shit as last time, but without the more energetic part, here all the songs are boring. And if you're curious about his album with Sunn O))), I listened to it too. It's, well... their drone metal plus his operatic singing, lol. And it sounds surprisingly okay. Comical at times, but okay. This makes me think that I don't care about how or what he is singing, I only care about the instruments. Which sucked on Scott 4
I normally don’t like folk rock much. But this was incredible. It had a very strong David Bowie feel to it. This is definitely going to be a highlight for me!
There cannot be a bad Scott Walker
Side 1 is a bit stronger than side 2, but I thoroughly enjoyed every song
The logical culmination of Walker's solo endeavours at the time. Heavily orchestrated, drawing different genres under its baroque umbrella. And while there is the quite fair share of love songs, this is heavy stuff, with the usual death obsession minced with anti-war messages. The apex of the pop Walker, he would move to much weirder territory with equally impressive, but never so touching results.
"Scott 4" is the fifth studio by Scott Walker. It was originally released under his birth name Scott Engel but later changed in reissues. It was his first album with his own self-penned songs. The music style is classified as art-pop and avant garde and was considered to have slightly less orchestral arrangements and more folk style songs than his previous releases. I'd agreed with that but there is a fair bit of baroque pop in a lot of these songs. The strength of this album is his strong vocals and the musical arrangements. A very enjoyable album to listen to. Mariachi horns kick off the first song "The Seventh Seal" which is based on the Ingmar Bergman film of the same name. Strings, drums and bells come in. A dramatic, interesting song. Scott's strong voice. The Swedish king comes home from the Crusades to face the plague and death. "The World's Strongest Man" is firmly in the baroque pop category with the strings. Continued excellent vocals as Scott wants his women back. The first side ends with the excellent "Boy Child." Just lovely musical arrangements. The second side begins with a more folk song in "The Hero of the War." Acoustic guitar and lighter on the strings. Kind of a contrast with the music and the tale of a man going to war and not coming back, like his father. "Duchess" is just a beautiful song with strings and a melancholy feel. I have no idea what he exactly he singing about but a duchess whom he loves and mentions the Persian Sea. The album ends with the majestic "Rhymes of Goodbye." Walker's voice soars. Continued imagery and comparisons of love to empires and cities. Some of these songs do have fantasy quality to the lyrics. Scoot Walker's music is always interesting to listen to in my experience. His earlier solo work is a lot more listenable for most people than his latter day experimental music (I like both) and "Scott 4" is up there with his best earlier music. A strong recommendation.
Okay, this absolutely rocks. Atmospheric, great voice, great backing music...I'm in.
9/10, enjoyed the hell out of this
What a delight!
At first, I couldn't tell whether this was very ordinary or very weird. I very very soon got sucked into the first track, a precise retelling of the plot of the dark, gloomy, medieval-set film "The Seventh Seal" done in a very jaunty 1969 easy listening style, sung in his smooth, lush voice, of the sort that you just don't hear anymore. (I love this voice!) Then came "On Your Own Again" which made me feel like I was in a soft-focus film montage documenting my journey from old pains into a new life. But always behind the music were interesting songs! A lament of the 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia with the lyric, "And they queue all day like dragons of disgust" backed with a groovy electric bass and Eastern bloc men's choir. Wow! What an introduction to a musician I must now learn more about!
lesgoooo
wow
One the first things I bought on my return to vinyl. Timeless, one of the greatest ever.
I'm a simple man. You write a song about the movie The Seventh Seal, you get 5 stars.
Really great songs. Easy listen.
Excelente
Iconic, influential, genre defying, robust, warm, delicate, and any other adjectives you'd use to describe a masterpiece. Insanely good album with complex melodies and amazing songwriting. Think at how this album was made in 1969 with no digital technology. All live, 8 and 16 tracks. Unreal.
Scott Walker is the strongest man in the world.
...always had a soft spot for this album
Never quite got this, but I do now.
I never heard of him. Nice, easy listening.
I'm not sure what kind of music this is? Jazz, classical, rock, rumba, something else entirely? Either way, I'm digging it. Scott's got some pipes!
I’m a sucker for this kind of music. Kind of like Leonard Cohen but perhaps rooted in fiction (and dare I say, optimism?) rather than the dark and gritty works of Cohen.
Superclassic Scott Walker album (nothing to add).
This dude has a great voice and the music accompanies it will
Traumhafte Stimme, man kann sich in die Musik buchstäblich reinlegen.
Beautiful voice. And I'm adding an extra star just for "The Old Man's Back again".
Scott Walker is an artist who’s always intrigued me, especially because of how long he’s been pushing musical boundaries. Scott 4 stands out for its unique blend of orchestral arrangements, strings, and folk, with a subtle experimental edge. It’s one of the best early examples of chamber pop, even before that genre really existed. There’s a baroque pop foundation here, but what makes this album so special is its deep, introspective feel, which really highlights Walker’s talent for creating music that’s both rich and personal.
At first I was skeptical. Another crooner, bigger than life, the most important thing to happen to music. Those are the vibes the cover puts out. But I was immediately convinced. This is a delicate work of deep emotive power. This is one I'll be listening to more – so many layers.
This one not for those who don't embrace melodrama in their pop music. Stretching the baroque pop of the Walker Brothers to the extreme and adding orchestrations that add an experimental Avant Garde edge, Walker breaks new ground. He writes all of the songs for the first rime, adding a more evocative element. He subverts genres - Duchess is country, but there are touches of soul and soundtrack work as well. He even names a song after a Bergman film. I have to believe that Eno and Bryan Ferry were plating this quite a lot before forming Roxy Music.
I know it's not for everyone, but I got into Scott Walker after died the year before last. Ingmar Bergman forever.
He's a legend. Rip man.
I have very mixed feelings about Scott Walker. I always wanted to like him more and a few songs stand out, but the last of his albums I got wasn't particularly memorable to me. 'Scott 4' is apparently a favorite of Radiohead's and was very influential on Bowie's 'Low' so I know that I need to take this seriously. And indeed this is exactly what I'd be hoping for from Walker. It's more original, more free, and more sparse. The previous albums bogged down by baroque-pop orchestrations. But what he really needed was room to breathe. 'The Old Man's Back Again' is now my favorite of his songs.
Incredible I had never even heard of this artist before. On paper this seems like an album I would not like but it had all the right things at the right moments and was incredibly sung as well
What a beautiful and touching album. I really loved listening to it and felt moved by it. I totally think it deserves to be on the list and I hope to listen to it again soon.
you could point out that it’s a little on the nose here and there, but why would you? a richly textured masterpiece that speaks to and from the heart
не сказать, что это мой любимый альбом Скотта (вероятно будет все-таки Tilt), но статус легендарного заслуживает, хотя бы просто за огромный fuck you попсе и прогиб своей линии. Сейчас странно осознавать, что именно этого альбом из сольников Волкера провалился, ибо песни же цепляющие, а тёмная тема для исполнителя хита про сгнившие зубы амстердамского моряка вроде не пиздец какая странность. Но имеем что имеем, да и без этого не было бы толчка к полному срыву границ и ухода в авангард. Ну и плюс влияние на всяких мастодонтов по типу Тома Йорка и Дэвида Боуи тоже кое о чем говорит. Хороший альбом, красивый, печальный, величественый. Жалко две песни по качеству подводят (думаю сразу понятно какие), а в остальном вообще балдеж, дисс на Сталина имеет одну из самых пиздатых басовых линий, что я знаю. Это 10
Walker really hits his stride as an artist on Scott 4. No Brel covers here (although those were great), but all he has learned from his influences delivers a self penned baroque pop classic full of lush arrangements (the bass on The Old Man's Back Again is sublime) and that beautiful voice. Endlessly rewarding. Transporting.
An album and a singer that needs time. There is no-way this would have entertained any time on my turntable in my twenties and through to my forties. However listening and reading about the great voices of my generation and how they were influenced by him kind of peaks your interest. I started with this record, and now find myself playing it regularly.
Masterpiece
"Scott 4" is a pivotal album in the career of Scott Walker, released in 1969. It diverged significantly from his earlier pop career as part of The Walker Brothers, showcasing his transition towards a more experimental and introspective style. Here's an in-depth review focusing on lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, along with its pros and cons. **Lyrics:** The lyrics of "Scott 4" are characterized by their poetic complexity and depth. Walker's songwriting delves into existential themes, societal critique, and introspection. Tracks like "The Seventh Seal" draw inspiration from the Ingmar Bergman film of the same name, exploring mortality and the human condition. "The Old Man's Back Again (Dedicated to the Neo-Stalinist Regime)" offers a scathing commentary on political oppression, while "Hero of the War" reflects on the disillusionment of war. Walker's lyrical prowess shines through in his ability to evoke vivid imagery and provoke thought. **Music:** Musically, "Scott 4" is a departure from Walker's earlier work, incorporating elements of folk, jazz, and orchestral arrangements. The album features intricate instrumentation, including lush string sections and haunting melodies. Tracks like "Angels of Ashes" and "Boy Child" showcase Walker's dynamic vocal range and emotive delivery. The music serves as a fitting backdrop to the introspective nature of the lyrics, creating a haunting atmosphere that lingers long after the album ends. **Production:** The production of "Scott 4" is polished and meticulous, with Walker overseeing every aspect of the recording process. The album benefits from the collaboration with renowned arranger Wally Stott, whose orchestral arrangements add depth and texture to the music. The production values enhance the overall impact of the songs, allowing Walker's vision to fully manifest. **Themes:** Thematically, "Scott 4" explores a wide range of topics, including existentialism, politics, and the human experience. Walker's lyrics delve into the complexities of life and death, love and loss, and the search for meaning in a world fraught with uncertainty. The album's themes are deeply philosophical, inviting listeners to contemplate their own existence and place in the universe. Despite the heavy subject matter, there is an underlying sense of hope and resilience that runs throughout the record. **Influence:** "Scott 4" has had a profound influence on subsequent generations of musicians and artists. Its innovative blend of folk, jazz, and orchestral elements paved the way for the emergence of baroque pop and art rock in the 1970s. The album's introspective lyrics and experimental approach to songwriting inspired countless artists to push the boundaries of their craft. Its influence can be heard in the work of artists as diverse as David Bowie, Nick Cave, and Radiohead, cementing its status as a timeless classic. **Pros:** 1. Poetic lyrics that explore existential themes with depth and nuance. 2. Inventive musical arrangements that blend folk, jazz, and orchestral elements seamlessly. 3. Meticulous production values that enhance the overall impact of the songs. 4. Thought-provoking themes that invite listeners to engage with complex ideas. 5. Lasting influence on subsequent generations of musicians and artists. **Cons:** 1. The album's experimental nature may alienate listeners seeking more conventional pop music. 2. Some tracks may come across as overly somber or bleak, depending on the listener's mood. 3. Walker's vocal delivery, while powerful, may be an acquired taste for some listeners. Overall, "Scott 4" stands as a testament to Scott Walker's artistic vision and creative genius. Its poetic lyrics, inventive music, and thought-provoking themes continue to captivate listeners decades after its release, solidifying its status as a masterpiece of 20th-century music.
A beautiful album that I appreciate more and more with each listen. I’d maybe put Scott 3 above it but they’re both 5-star albums at the end of the day
Five stars
This album is so harmonically interesting! The songs were really cool. Hadn’t heard this guy before, to my knowledge.
Such a classic sound. This is exactly what I want out of a lounge singer album. Such great tone, such great band, loved it.
absurdo
Yet another album I went into totally blind… Instantly love the cinematic opening track! A song based on “The Seventh Seal”?! SOLD! The rest of the album? I LOVE IT! The crooning… the orchestrations… the subject matter… such a great 60s experience. Has there ever been such a jazzy indictment of war as “Hero of the War”? I see a lot of commutes on the Scott Engel/Walker train in my future!
A dark singer-songwriter epic for the damaged souls.
Excellent.
Scott 4 is an amazing album by Scott Walker. I loved every single song and it is so sad that it is so short! 10/10
Sad, liked that he opens with a summary of the Seventh Seal
This album is so awesome I can’t believe how low it’s rated 5/5
Feels like a soundtrack to a dream. Can see the influences on Nick Cave and Radiohead in places. A really beautiful record
Great Scott. Total masterpiece.
Majestic, old fashioned, eccentric. Surprisingly interesting melodies for someone who is accoladed by the wordsmiths.
Masterpiece
Superlative.
It does take me to get used to Scott Walker. So relaxed but so sinister. The more I listen to him, the more I start realising that his understated genius
this is probably some of the most elegant music i've ever. i could use endless adjectives to describe how cinematic and grandiose this album is. and to think that walker would later be making insane experimental music is wild.
Legend
Good ol' Scotty.
Slow burn but grew on me
Muy interesante
Interestingly theatrical. 7/10
I love Scott Walker but perhaps more so when he is part of the Walker Brothers band. I listened to this twice, and enjoyed more on the second listen. Beautiful orchestral music by a talented composer
Reminds me a bit of Neil Diamond. I enjoyed this album.
first listen fantastic and timeless, definitely makes me want to ride a horse in new mexico