Reviews (page 4 of 8)
I do like Gillian, but her slow songs kinda drag me down.
Beautiful songs. Not a peppy, fast album but it doesn’t need to be. Love her vocals and the guitar playing that accompanies her.
Boring.
Love Gillian’s voice
= the Beatles This is more folk than country and for some reason I can swing with folk but can not stand country. The best song is about a good genre.
Another artist I have never heard of before and now I know why. I liked one song, Elvis Presley Blues, not because of the musicianship but because of the subject matter. I tried checking out her other stuff but I wasn't impressed. I'm glad I discovered this artist though. Should I ever hear them, I can now impress people by saying I know this random Americana artist.
A chill folk/country album. That never will suit me bad. 4 stars.
One thing that I really enjoy about listening to these albums is the sheer variety of styles and genres that count as music. In this case, this is sparse and acoustic and I guess would be classed somewhere between country, folk and Americana. It was recorded in the same RCA recording studio where Elvis worked, which gives it a unique resonance and suits their style. The opening track was their initial mic test in the studio, and a later track was recorded the very first time they had played it. It gives the album a very raw and immediate feel, with production that puts you right in the middle of the music. All of the songs are original compositions, but my favourite was Red Clay Halo which sounds like it could have been a traditional Bluegrass number. Banjo-tastic!
Leaning somewhere folk, country, americana, but in its simple apparel. Kind of timeless, it feels like it could have been recorded anytime between the 60s and now. It's nice to listen to, a ocean of tranquility in a chaotic world.
Boring.
A pesar de gustarme este tipo de música más o menos Country y Americana, no ha terminado de entusiasmarme. Suena muy bien y está muy bien tocado, pero no me ha llegado. Intentaré oír otros trabajos de ella.
Why is she whining for so long??? Disappointing from her.
3/5
It's hard to criticize something so organic and heartfelt. It's definitely soothing. I could see giving it another listen at some point I suppose. 3/5 #199
This needed a few listens for me to appreciate it properly. It's a bit all on the same level initially, and not too much stands out in its own right. But I do like a bit of folk music, and I appreciated the Americana vibes going on here – a genre I've never really taken the time to explore as much as I probably should. I had Sheryl Crow's poppy Tuesday Night Music Club the day before this. That's good in its own way – this is maybe the pared down base that lies deep down inside that. I enjoyed both of them in different ways, so they both get 4 stars.
I had trouble figuring out how I felt about this record. I think the more alt-country type songs are so awesome, but they felt at-odds with the more folksy songs throughout. Overall, pretty solid, just a little discombobulated. Best Track: I Dream A Highway
In an alternate universe where I am a terrorist holed up in Guantanamo Bay, this collection of tunes blasting out would have me confessing to being John Paul II (who I wouldn't actually be in that alternate universe) within seconds. When I started this project, I vowed I'd listen to every album from start to finish. This is number 80-something. I will not listen to it to the end. Maybe some miracle happened before the end? I don't know. They chose those first couple of tracks for the first two on the album and, for me, it was pure torture. Why on earth is this on the list?
I guess they need to pander to the country music religious nut jobs and include something like this in the list
Let me steal something that I read about this, but that perfectly represents my thoughts on it: "It wasn’t offensive to the ears or anything. I just could not connect to it in any way"
B O R I N G!!!!
It was fine alt country in the vein of Indigo Girls.
Sometimes vocals and a guitar are all you need. This is what country should be
Favorite Track: Everything Is Free
3 eh
This was really good, the music was very different to what I would expect from a singer songwriter voice. Revelator definitely the best song, musically reminded me of Brand New a bit so nice to listen to a bit of that sort of thing guilt free. Overall the album only had one or two songs I wasn't impressed by, would definitely like to give it another go.
Really beautiful and sparse. Weird, and haunting lyrics. Most songs use the same or similar minor chord patterns, but I think that's fine. Ruinator, Revelation Day II, and I Dream A Highway were my favourites. Not too surprised by how much I enjoyed this.
Considerably better than almost all of the music we've had listed as "country" on this list, and we're on over 800 albums... Is this country though? I'm not sure it is, although it has elements of it. I'm not sure I could've placed it's release date either, some sounds quite dated and classic while others more modern. I'm quite torn on this. I thought the last track was really quite brilliant. Think I'm going to have to listen again...... I listened again. I think the opening track and the final track are the best bits. I definitely prefer the less country sounding tracks. 3.5, think I'll be back for those 2 tracks
I have to admit, I was kind of dreading this assignment after I had just finished Bob Dylan's Blood on the Tracks. I thought for sure it would be folk overkill, especially with such a slow, moody album. But this one surprised me as it was quite beautiful. Yeah it's a bit slow, and I didn't love all the tracks but it's just damn good. Favorite songs: Revelator, I Want to Sing That Rock and Roll, Everything Is Free
theres an empty space inside my heart
Nope
Not bad
I've never heard of Gillian Welch. She has a pretty voice, and the whole album is pleasant. Almost all slow songs though, so I don't plan on listening again. Best song: Revelator
I would not normally find myself listening to Gillian Welch, but this album really surprised me. Her singing and songwriting have a raw, rootsy feel that reminded me a lot of Old Crow Medicine Show. That connection made it click with me in a way I did not expect. It has that same kind of timeless Americana sound that feels both traditional and modern at once. The title track “Revelator” is a gem, understated but powerful, and it sets the tone for the whole record. Then there is “I Dream a Highway,” which runs over 14 minutes but never feels bloated. It is hypnotic, slow-burning, and somehow keeps you locked in the entire time. Most songs that long lose steam, but this one had me until the last note. What stands out most is how unhurried the album feels. Welch and David Rawlings let every song breathe, creating space for the lyrics and guitar work to shine. Favorite song: Revelator
Whether or not you love this album is probably gonna depend a lot on how you feel about the closer, "I Dream A Highway". For me, up to that point, the album was fine. Pretty good, even, I'd say. Normally I don't think I'd vibe too much with this spare "one or two guitars and a voice" kind of arrangement, but here... I'unno. It's the kind of album where, like a fellow group member has said, even if you don't understand the lyrics the emotions are clear and obvious enough that they can help carry you through regardless. Overall, it's a pretty chill record (sort of odd to call it "chill" given the themes I assume it has), and Gillan has a nice singing voice. Paired up with the sounds of crickets chirping, like you're sitting on a backyard porch as the day's winding down into night... I can dig it. But then we get to "I Dream A Highway". There are two perspectives I feel like you can take on this song. The first is that it's a meaningful, spiritual experience, and the absolute centerpiece of the album. It's a song about missing your loved ones, and how you can only dream of finding a way back to them — but you can't. Time has passed, and nothing can make the clock go back. Nothing can ever be the same. It's grief for passing and for time itself. And to some people, this song addresses that beautifully over 14 minutes and simple, spare accompaniment. To some, it's an absolute masterwork. But then to others — and this is the second take — it's 14 minutes and boring as gawdamm piss. It's an absolutely endless song about... Whatever the hell, that feels like it's running in place with the neverending loop the guitar is stuck in and the basic lyric format that just repeats over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and... Y'get it. There's no movement whatsoever and always feels like it's still just starting. It's lyrically obtuse in a way that thinks it's clever and deep, and it's sonically lowkey to a point of annoyance. It's the absolute nadir of this album and its sonic aesthetic. Where do I fall, myself? I think... Somewhere close to the middle of the spectrum... Though more leaning towards the second. Like, I don't necessarily hate it... But I think it does absolutely emphasize all of the problems I have with this album. For one, for as much as the spare acoustics **can** be chill and pretty, and there **is** enough variety between songs to make them stand out from one another... I'unno, I just don't think I'm a fan of wholly acoustic albums like this. Or at least this "slow country" style of it. Seriously, I really thought that "I Dream A Highway" would never end. And, second, while even if, again, the emotions on this album are strong enough to carry through if you don't understand the lyrics... It's still maybe a bit too "artsy" for my tastes? I mean, I was only able to understand what this song was about by going on YouTube and reading other people's comments. Like, if the poet's gonna come up to me and expect me to be impressed because their lyrics are **really deep**... All I can do is shrug and go, "Yeah, I get what they mean." I really wanted to give this album a pass, honestly. On vibes alone, it's a nice time. And, again, I think Gillian's a good singer; no matter my issues, I'm not gonna dispute that. But where a fellow group member bumped this album up to a 10 based on how much they loved "I Dream A Highway"... For me, I think my gut instinct looking at its 14 minute runtime was right. I get the emotions of it — honestly, I do — but I can't front: it brings the whole album down for me. To where if I were to ever revisit this album again, it would absolutely not be in full. Maybe just "Everything Is Free"... I don't know. It's kind of a bummer I'm being so down on this album, but, eh, so it goes. If you don't mind, I'm gonna go dream of shorter songs — or at least ones where stuff **happens**, goodness.
Nicely chill country to relax to. Solid 4 Stars.
I’m at a 5, but I think "I Dream A Highway" has basically singlehandedly bumped me up to a 10. I really have been sitting here for 10 minutes trying to figure out what exactly to type out, and… I just don’t know. I know exactly what this album is about, and Gillian Welch (who I hadn’t heard of before today) portrays it perfectly in her writing: this is an album about grieving the passage of time itself, and how it relates to the fading memory of everything from first loves to past regrets to historic events to marks on clothing, & to artistry itself, all blending into distant thoughts as the world moves on. I know exactly what this album is doing, and it succeeds in a way that I just can’t put into words because of how stunning the last track is. Nothing I write would be able to do it justice. Here’s the one paragraph I think I can get out. Time is indeed the ultimate revelator, and I think time has done this album well. 24 years after it came out, and the fading sense of artistry she talks about, specifically as it relates to piracy/streaming on “Everything is Free”, feels more prescient now than ever. It’s a 1-2 punch capped off by the absolute tour de force of “I Dream A Highway”, which lays out that grieving of time present throughout the album with some wonderfully poetic lyricism. It’s the song that kept me stunned, and I’m still not even entirely sure if I can give it due justice. It feels almost spiritual in nature. I can only type something about the last 2 tracks because that’s what’s lingering in my mind. The rest of the album before that feels like a fruitfully strong buildup to get there, and it's brilliant in its own right with a classic country lean, but I really can’t keep going. I think you just have to listen to it. It is an album bred so deeply in a sense of earnest intimacy through its guitar-driven minimalism that you need to just sit down, headphones in, and really just *listen*. The lyrics enhance this album so, SO much, almost to the point of necessity, but even if you can’t grab the lyrics, you can grab the emotion. There is nothing that could have prepared me for how I’m feeling in the aftermath of it, and if nothing else, it’s an unbelievable testament to what one can do with nothing but a guitar, some words, and their voice. I can only hope other people feel it as deeply as I did, and if they can’t, then I won’t fault them for it; I can only shrug. I think it’s a 10.
Didn't hate it but in no rush for a second listen.
Sad cowboy music is my kryptonite
Usually not a fan of country. Quite enjoyed this.
Surprisingly poignant. Runs a little too long (especially that last track) but overall a good listen.
Kinda surprised with all the 5s this album has on here. Not that it's a bad album, it's just kind of a snooze. Songs are fine, Gillian's vocals are soothing, the guitar playing is well executed and the production is fresh sounding for something that's nearly 25 years old. But there's just nothing to get excited about. I didn't hate it nor love it, so I guess it's probably an average 3..
This album tried to put me to sleep. It wasn't terrible, but it was not for me.
I quite like some Gillian Welch, however a whole album at once I don't think is for me... 😬😅
7/10 Favorite: Revelator
Folksy and with soul, just didn’t catch mine.
Голос! Я узнал о ней с прошлогодним альбомом, и конечно слушал ее *лучший* альбом. Лучшая песня - Revelator.
Hated this
Would be 3.5 if possible. Better than average but not good enough to be 4. No stand out songs
I love this, I really don’t think of myself as a country enjoyer but I immediately loved all these songs and immediately put it back on again. Soulful, sparse, and beautiful music. If some music is hollow this is the opposite of that. Timeless and beautifully done, a revelation for me. Instant 5 stars
who cares
Another singer/songwriter/guitarist...sigh. However this was a fairly bright n breezy, folksy, country-ish album, and didn't set off my anti-Country-&-Western prejudices. A pleasant album, but not one I'll listen to too often.
As much as I appreciate what Gillian Welch does, her records just bum me out too much.
It was pretty mid. Not bad, not great. Except that last track. 14 min is too long for what it was. Half of it annoyed me. Then it picked up a bit and then the album ended. Shucks man.
Melancholisch, Slow, Country, Lagerfeuer, Gitarrenlastig
Not a fan
Calming acoustic folk/bluegrass. Cristal recordings.
I was listening to this on a plane and I swear the cabin depressaurised because this knocked me the fuck out. Literally never heard of this artist or album before in my life. Pleasantly surprised, sort of? Red Clay Halo was probably the standout of the entire album; where Welch finally leaned into the country genre she so heavily hinting at the first few songs. I found those songs previous to Red Clay Halo to be a bit lame and tasteless. Generic singer songwriter, basically. Anyways, after Welch found her genre, she then ruins it by having almost every song sound exactly the same as the other. Like apart from the live one (Rock and Roll, I think?), every song sounded exactly the fucking same. Did they all sound yhe same as a good song? Absolutely. Did it get jading? Oh you fucking bed. A bass guitar or anything except the same fucking 2 acoustic guitar chords for 45 minutes would be nice. She didn't even bother to change her singing tone for any songs. Gillian Welch is definitely talented, and it's showcased here through songwriting and the first couple of songs. Where this is a letdown is how repetitive and single toned this thing is. I definitely didn't mind it, but I'm not coming back to this. The last song can fuck off too. FIFTEEN MINUTES, are you kidding??
Really not the most standout affair not would it rate among some of my favorite Country tracks. But it was still perfectly listenable. Goodness, if I had to note anything as a standout/pro I suppose it had a good placement of tracks. The shifts in tone and tempo kept things fresh and from melding together.
Time (the waster) Gillian Squelch (sound of me standing on a BUG)
This album is bretty gud and probably deserves a higher score, but giving us Jackson C Frank before giving us this makes this album seem like ass in comparison. There's definitely a few belters on here namely Elvis Presley Blues and I Dream a highway, but ultimately the entire album ranges from good to great. I didnt take any notes for this one so these are just some off the dome thoughts. Peace and love from the middle east ✌️❤️ 7/10
A mixed bag, some high points on here. Much like a drive out west, it's quite long and can begin to blend together. The Last track would have been a highlight for me if it weren't so long and repetitive. After a few listens I can safely say this is not best experienced while at your boring office job. It's not a casual listen and asks a bit more from the listener. I don't think it's a perfect album and there are a few skips on here but it's well-made, charming and Welch's vocals are next level. If it were a lot of other artists I think I would outright hate some of the tracks on here. Highlights: Revelator, April the 14th Part 1, Everything Is Free
I first heard of Gillian in the O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack. That soundtrack led to my love of Allison Krauss. Solid bluegrass music. This album is rather mellow…..very mellow, but I like it ok.
Descent album but nothing special.
I was at a baptism in a river today. 6 teenagers were baptized. So having this album for today was the perfect pick! Also: What a beautiful woman. What an intimate voice. When I first listened to this album 3 years ago I didn't realize the melodies. They still stuck with me and I remembered them. Still, there's something missing with this album.
Rating: 3.4 This could have been great if the lyricism was more creative. A lot of these albums have this problem. The music will be the most beautiful and magical thing you’ve ever heard and then they’ll repeat “TIIIIIIIIME THE REVELATOR” 25 times. I have some kind of hard-wired mental avoidance for repetitive noises so this held this album back from being excellent for me.
everything is free is THAT song
Im not sure if i liked it, kinda hard to get through
Ahhhh sweet Gillian…. Relaxing listen of beautiful ballads! Fave songs were Revelator and Dear Someone.
a lot of country reminds me of my best friends cowgirl gramma, I spent a lot of my childhood with her and she always had a country Music Choice channel playing. when she popped into my head during this listen I checked the album and was listening to April the 14th, my besties bday :’)
I can’t describe it without it sounding cringe to me, but I love how human and personal music like this sounds. When I listen to it it feels like I am in the same room as Gillian and she is just playing it for herself, and I am lucky enough to listen. I fucking love this album
Fav song: I Dream a Highway
Oh I dream a highway back to you, love A winding ribbon with a band of gold A silver vision come and rest my soul I dream a highway back to you John, he's kicking out the footlights The Grand Ole Opry's got a brand new band Lord, let me die with a hammer in my hand I dream a highway back to you I think I'll move down into Memphis And thank the hatchet man who forked my tongue I lie and wait until the wagons come And dream a highway back to you The getaway kicking up cinders An empty wagon full of rattling bones Moon in the mirror on a three-hour jones I dream a highway back to you Oh I dream a highway back to you, love A winding ribbon with a band of gold A silver vision come arrest my soul And I dream a highway back to you Which lover are you, Jack of Diamonds? Now you be Emmylou and I'll be Gram I'll send a letter, don't know who I am I dream a highway back to you I'm an indisguisable shade of twilight Any second now, I'm gonna turn myself on In the blue display of the cool cathode ray I dream a highway back to you I wish you knew me, Jack of Diamonds Fire-riding, wheeling when I laid 'em up Drank whiskey with my water, sugar with my tea My sails in rags with the staggers and the jags I dream a highway back to you Oh I dream a highway back to you, love A winding ribbon with a band of gold A silver vision convalesced my soul I dream a highway back to you Now give me some of what you're having I'll take you as a viper into my head A knife into my bed, arsenic when I'm fed And I dream a highway back to you Hang overhead from all directions Radiation from the porcelain light Blind and blistered by the morning white I dream a highway back to you Sunday morning at the diner Hollywood trembles on the verge of tears I watched the waitress for a thousand years Saw a wheel inside a wheel, heard a call within a call And I dreamed a highway back to you Oh I dream a highway back to you, love A winding ribbon with a band of gold A silver vision convalesced my soul I dream a highway back to you Step into the light, poor Lazarus Don't lie alone behind the window shade Let me see the mark death made And I dream a highway back to you I dream a highway back to you What will sustain us through the winter? Where did last year's lessons go? Walk me out into the rain and snow I dream a highway back to you Oh I dream a highway back to you, love A winding ribbon with a band of gold A silver vision come and bless my soul I dream a highway back to you I dream a highway back to you Oh I dream a highway back to you, love A winding ribbon with a band of gold A silver vision come and bless my soul I dream a highway back to you
I found this album pretty tedious, with a succession of dreary songs performed with a grating country vocal. Not my cup of tea at all, I'm afraid.
If you're just going to have a guitar and vocals, they both need to be near perfect. In this case, they were. Impressive guitar work and Gillian has a great voice. Very "O Brother" - and I mean that in a good way.
## ⏳ In-Depth Review: Gillian Welch's *Time (The Revelator)* - A Skeletal Epic of American Myth ### 📖 **Lyrics: Narrative Depth and Poetic Ambiguity** - **Biblical and Mythic Resonance**: The title track reimagines "revelator" (traditionally John the Revelator) as time itself—an agent of truth. Welch explores self-doubt ("I’m the pretender / Not what I’m supposed to be"), echoing her critics’ accusations of inauthenticity as a California-born artist in traditional country . Lines like "Queen of fakes and imitator" confront this directly, framing time as the ultimate judge . - **Historical Collage**: "April the 14th Part 1" weaves Lincoln’s assassination, the Titanic sinking, and the Dust Bowl into a meditation on shared tragedy. "Ruination Day Part 2" extends this, juxtaposing Casey Jones with Elvis, suggesting cyclical American ruin and rebirth . - **Modern Anxieties**: "Everything Is Free" is a searing critique of digital piracy’s impact on artists: "Everything is free now, that’s what they say / ... I can get a tip jar, gas up the car" . "I Dream a Highway" merges highway imagery with cultural ghosts (Emmylou Harris, Gram Parsons), questioning identity in a 14-minute postmodern hymn . *Table: Key Lyrical Themes* | **Theme** | **Example Tracks** | **Key Lines** | |--------------------|----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------| | Time as Truth | "Revelator" | "Time’s the revelator" | | American Myths | "Elvis Presley Blues" | "He shook it like a chorus girl" | | Artistic Integrity | "Everything Is Free" | "Someone hit the big score / They figured it out" | | Identity Crisis | "I Dream a Highway" | "I don’t know who I am" | ### 🎵 **Music: Minimalism as Power** - **Vocal and Guitar Alchemy**: Welch’s "high lonesome" vocals and Rawlings’ "Johnny Marr-esque" guitar intertwine to create haunting harmonies. On "Revelator," Rawlings’ lagging voice generates an "eerie echo," while his solos (e.g., on "I Want to Sing That Rock and Roll") channel rock energy acoustically . - **Genre Deconstruction**: "My First Lover" subverts banjo tropes with jagged, dissonant strumming, mirroring the narrator’s bitterness . "I Want to Sing That Rock and Roll" (recorded live at the Ryman) uses gospel fervor to ironically yearn for electric rebellion . - **Drone and Space**: The sparse arrangements—two guitars, occasional banjo, no drums—create a "dubby" atmosphere. Tracks like "I Dream a Highway" use repetitive motifs to induce trance-like states, evoking "ambient electronic music" . ### 🎛️ **Production: Haunted Studio, First-Take Magic** - **RCA Studio B’s Ghosts**: Recorded in Elvis’ former studio, the space imbues rawness. "Revelator" was a mic test, while "I Dream a Highway" was captured in two takes and edited—preserving spontaneity . - **Sonic Austerity**: Close-miked guitars and vocals emphasize intimacy ("thwack of fingernail against nylon") . The lack of overdubs (except live applause on "I Want to Sing...") amplifies emotional vulnerability . ### 💡 **Themes: Time, Authenticity, and Apocalypse** - **Time as Judge and Healer**: The album positions time as both revelator (exposing truth) and redeemer ("Every day is getting straighter") . - **Authenticity Battles**: Welch confronts her "outsider" status in country music, framing her California roots and Berklee training as strengths. "Red Clay Halo" reworks folk tropes to critique classism . - **American Apocalypse**: Biblical prophecy ("Revelator"), ecological collapse ("April the 14th"), and cultural decay ("Everything Is Free") merge into a "pre-apocalyptic" vision tied to Welch’s label struggles . ### 🌍 **Influence: The Unlikely Legacy** - **Critical Acclaim**: Ranked #348 on *Rolling Stone*’s 500 Greatest Albums (2020), praised for bridging "Neil Young and the Carter Family" . - **Genre Expansion**: Inspired indie-folk (Bon Iver, Phoebe Bridgers) by proving traditionalism could be avant-garde. Its minimalism prefigured the "unplugged" rawness of 2010s folk revival . - **Cultural Touchstone**: Cited in debates on music piracy ("Everything Is Free") and Americana’s political resonance . ### ✔️ **Pros** 1. **Timeless Songwriting**: Tracks like "Elvis Presley Blues" and "I Dream a Highway" blend mythic storytelling with intimate confession. 2. **Vocal/Guitar Symbiosis**: Welch and Rawlings’ interplay is "like breathing together" . 3. **Production Boldness**: Starkness amplifies emotional weight—a "rock album without amplification" . ### ✖️ **Cons** 1. **Demanding Listen**: The 14-minute closer and lyrical density may alienate casual listeners . 2. **Starkness as Barrier**: Those seeking country’s warmth may find the austerity cold . ### 🏁 **Verdict** *Time (The Revelator)* is a **minimalist masterpiece** that distills American anxiety into acoustic poetry. Its "apocalyptic country" vision remains eerily prescient, proving that skeletons—not symphonies—often carry the weight of prophecy. Two decades on, Welch’s question—"But who could know if I’m a traitor?"—is answered: time revealed a classic.
Everything Is Free // I Dream a Highway
Ok sound
Nice to watch the sunset too If I didn’t enjoy the music so much, I’d say she’s a Berklee kid cosplaying Appalachia
Wow. This is expertly crafted, between the incredible instrumentation and solos, and the harmonies. I really don't have much of anything to say about this album, because it's just that great. If you don't like slower tempo songs driven by acoustic instruments, this probably isn't an album for you, but this has become an immediate favorite for me. Got an instant re-listen, and also saved for later. Favorite Song(s): Dear Someone, Red Clay Halo, April the 14th Part 1, I Dream a Highway
Talented singer. Appealing, simple country tunes.
I really didn't understand this one. Nice voice but such dull, plodding music.
not my cup of tea
Great listen if you’re not in a hurry. Opener and closer were standouts.
Gillian Welch has a great voice. These are really good songs but most of them are a bit too mellow for me. I think I like her better as a background singer on other people's records.
This was one of the most sparsely arranged albums we have heard on the list thus far, and I it also contained one the longest songs that was not part of a medley or larger suite. That puts a lot of pressure on the songrwiting and Gillian Welch delivered. These are very well written songs about both historical events and personal feelings. I did not expect to hear any songs about Lincoln's assasination on this list! The harmonies were great and the guitar and mandolin solos were beautiful. I will say that "I Dream A Highway" was probably at least 6 miniutes too long and while the length of the song is an accomplishment, I just could not keep my attention on it.
This is my kind of country. Dark and solitary. It avoids the over the top accent issues and the cliche lyricism that a lot of country falls to as well. She has a great voice.
It's good, but I feel like if I listened to it while I was driving through rural country it'd be an amazing 4/5 vibe.
I knew to pay attention when I saw this linked to so many great artists’ influence playlists. Not my usual style, but it’s great, and I can hear the influence in my favorite folk and related musicians.
Been getting a lot of 2000s albums lately. I can’t complain. It’s nice living in the somewhat-present once again. I’ve never heard of Gillian Welch, though she appears to have had quite a well-received career. I’m guessing I’m in for another singer/songwriter affair. Yeah, this ain’t bad. The tragedy of these singer/songwriter albums is that they’re all very lyrics-focused, and the part of my brain which focuses on writing these reviews can’t also support listening closely to the lyrics. In any case, I appreciated what I heard, though I must admit that this album doesn’t have a lot of variety and progressively loses me as it goes along - especially in the final quarter. In any case, there's some good cuts here. “Revelator” is a solid opener, featuring a very good vocal performance from Welch and a great, subdued acoustic sound. “Red Clay Halo” ain’t half bad. Easily the most “traditional country” song on the album, with unpretentious lyrics to boot. The instrumental is also pretty good – especially during the second half. “April the 14th” is a superior follow-up, featuring some very good lyrics and a great atmosphere. Book time. “...dark and hymnal country”. A lot of bloviating thereafter. Checking the Wikipedia page reveals that this album has been very well-received and has landed in quite a few “best-of” lists. Yeah, I think this is a solid pick. Aesthetically unique with a solid critic backing. What else could you ask for?
Slow music, not my thing.
Beautiful and relaxing acoustic tunes, amazing lyrics, great guitar playing.
Okay.
4/5. A calming and sweet americana record. It's full of hope and sadness, about a past full of regret and a future full of doubt. It's very present and sounds young from a woman has lived a life of wisdom. It's not a holy record and it's not even a perfect record, but there is something irreverent about this album that keeps me engaged. Through every song, I start off not super into it and then about a third of way through there is something that clicks and I am enraptured. Especially the last track, which takes the bold choice to not provide anything but her voice and a guitar for 15 minutes and it steals the show. It's the confidence and trust in the listener that I will hear what she has to say and here I am. It's definitely not game changing through out, but it was still great. Best Song: My First Lover, Red Clay Halo, Elvis Presley Blues, I Dream A Highway
Loved a lot of this but the anti-filesharing protest song was very 2001 (derogatory)
Just a gal and her guitar, singing about first loves, and Elvis Presley. Very slow, very boring.
++: My First Lover, Dear Someone, I Want to Sing That Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley Blues, Ruination Day Part 2 +: Revelator, Red Clay Halo +-: April the 14th Part 1, Everything Is Free, I Dream a Highway 7,2/10
I'd never heard of Gillian Welch until last week. She was mentioned on a podcast that I listen to, and a snippet of a song of hers was played. From that small sample, I was really impressed by her singing, so I've been looking forward to reviewing this album. Also, this will be my second album in a row from 2001, and also my last album from 2001. Here's hoping that Gillian Welch will build upon the great first impression she made with me! Unfortunately, my hopes for this album were dashed. I think the biggest letdown for me was that I was expecting some really fantastic vocals, and the vocals just didn’t live up to that expectation. I can’t remember what song I heard a snippet of, and I’m too lazy to go and look right now, but I can’t help but wonder if I somehow tricked myself. The vocals weren’t bad, but they just weren’t this awesome voice that I was expecting. Additionally, the music on this album wasn’t particularly noteworthy either. I expect a country music album to really suck me into the world of the lyrics, but that just didn’t happen on this album. Since I wasn’t hooked in by the music, I really didn’t pay much attention to the songwriting. Even if I hadn’t built up this album in my head (even though it was only for a week), I don’t think I would have cared for it much. I wouldn’t be opposed to checking out more of Gillian Welch’s music, just to see if I’m insane or not, but this album wasn’t for me.
Pretty good cooking music
Not for me
I liked the couple of songs that had some stomp to them, but besides that, it kind of felt like regular folk music. Not too sure what might differentiate it from another folk artist, to be honest. I suppose it’s personal connection to the lyrics. Not for me, but I’m sure fans of folk will enjoy it.
Really enjoyable, lots of flavour and a great voice
Really slow and intricate, I can see why the reviews are polarizing. Some of the tracks were good others bored me but I think I could get there with a few more listens. 6/10
Despite the guilt I feel, I must give this one star. It's just truly not my thing.
Really interesting sounds, and haunting lyrics (I actually don't know for sure, just sounds like it). Minimal but effective instrumentation.
its ok
Delightful. A surprising mix of spooky and comforting.
Loved this, tbh. I had it back in the day, and haven’t revisited in years. Really beautiful.
You know, I’ve given Gillian Welch a shot in the past. She just doesn’t catch on with me. I’m not mad I listened to this again. It’s pleasant enough. But nothing that brings me back consistently.
This is what I imagine playing in the background of an old wooden porch at dusk. Just fingerpicking and ghosts and some beautiful crooning. It’s all pretty slow, and I don’t think that’s a bad thing. Relaxing, grounding, maybe even a little haunting. Spins: 2 Playlist Additions: - Revelator - I Want to Sing That Rock and Roll - Elvis Presley Blues - Everything Is Free
I don't know how to call this album, but most of the songs sound the same (if not every single one of them). If it had more personality of its own I would have liked it more, but that folk-county based on long, boring and repetitive songs is not something I'm into. What I liked the most are some instrumentals, which are delicious. I understand it's more of a lyrical album, but if the songs are bland, I just can't focus on anything else than... when is "I Dream a Highway" going to end? Really, its length is unjustified, it's the same melody on repeat for over a quarter of hour.
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings are phenomenal. Nothing else I can say great album start to finish get a five.
Tough one for me. The songwriting is TOP TIER and loved just about everything. EXCEPT the God/Savior/Heaven stuff. Just a real turn off for me and mostly unnecessary for the songs. Those songs push this to 3.5 for me, but dropping.
Meh
New to me and I really like this!
Some fine guitar and banjo playing on here. "Red Clay Halo" has an authentic Carter Family bluegrass feel with a charming little ragtime guitar solo. Anachronistic, astute. It's almost too good. And by that I mean not a note out of place, vocally or otherwise. Even "I Want to Sing That Rock and Roll, ostensibly live, has a "perfected" feel. On the other hand, this would fail if it had any edge. That's not what it's about. It's about the moods. The further into the album I got, the more endearing it became. The more my self-defensive over-analysis started to peel away. The more poetic and in a word, beautiful. Once I surrendered, I found the edginess. But after getting through it all, I see a really well-crafted album by well meaning people who are paying tribute to an art form that was born out of struggle, without ever actually experiencing the struggle themselves, giving this a polished sheen of insincerity. They did a really good job of it though.
Broody and dreamy with a deep voice - kind of folksy, very beautiful
i really wish i liked this more but its so dull imo it’s putting me to sleep and not in a good way
Not for me
Earlier in the album I was thinking of a 2. But I stayed open, cause maybe I would like the later album tracks. And then OMG yeah the closing track is top tier 😭😭 Gets a 3 for overall, but damn that last track was much above a 3
I love when I found new acoustic tunes. This one is great.
2/10
ahh
boring
good
I'd give it a 2.5
Brilliant guitar work. I enjoyed the country vibes but they did get a bit repetitive for me after a while, vocals also left something to be desired but overall some good songs.
Really, really enjoyed this. Strong possibility I change this to a '5 star.' The texture of her voice is so soothing and the instrumental work is freakin' beautiful. Starting with REVELATOR, followed by MY FIRST LOVER helps to define the concept of the album. Each song plays like a lovely lullaby. ELVIS PRESLEY BLUES is about as catchy a track as they come.
I liked it a lot, very relaxing
Pleasant laid back music. Kind of reminded me of the vibes of Joni Mitchell though not quite as good. Enjoyed
Good timing to get this on a slow morning at the beach house. Ideal use case over coffee
3/5
Nice folk album. Some good tunes. Easy listening.
A beautiful piece of work.
Beautiful voice and great harmonies, backed by a mix of picking and strumming, gives off an Appalachian bluegrass feel. Worth a second listen.
Lovely voice, but the songs are rather boring.
Kinda cool
A woman and her guitar. For what it is, it's well-done. In an intimate setting, around a campfire on the beach at night, this would be amazing. To listen to in the office while working, well... it doesn't sound bad, but it's certainly not what I would choose for myself. And it certainly doesn't sound like something I must hear before I die.
I do not understand why this album is so critically acclaimed. It's very dull. Most of the songs are the same downtrodden music and lyrics, and once you think you've finally made it to the end there's a 16 minute song that seems to go on forever. There's much better early 2000s country than this, and I'm sure there's much better alternative country folk than this too. I was listening to this while on a long drive and kept thinking, "I would hate for this to be the last album I was listening to if I got into a car wreck." So basically the antithesis of the point of this list.
This surprised me
A little hard to tell, but I may have fallen asleep to this while running on a treadmill.
Never heard of her, album was decent
Yee haw, let those gee tars play. This is a solid no from me. Why this list has so, so much country music on it is beyond me. Utter, utter pish.
Fine, but I also almost fell asleep listening to it.
Some songs are sort of standard bluegrass if not better than average but some songs hit you in the soul. The chords and voice coming on like KD Lang or Cortez the Killer, Parting Glass, Mykonos. Just perfect
Lovely voice and soothing melodies.
so my shit I love this. a few songs I liked more but I just love this sound.
6/10 - it was alright
A little too sad girl country for me to really get into it, and for that reason i don’t think I’ll revisit much. That being said, still a very good album. Did enjoy listening
Excellent. And here I thought Freebird was a long song...
Dark. Put together well, but a live show would be better, I think. Overall, very good.
Not my genre. The first song and April 14th were my favorites and I wish the rest of the album had more of those types of songs. The rest sounded like they came out of the brown hymnal.
Call it alt country or Americana or any other name it's still country and it's not for me. Add to the fact this album bored me to death just added to the slog.
Going into this completely blind was a treat. Gillian Welch writes some poetic lyrics and chooses the accompanying americana instrumentation accordingly. ‘Everything Is Free' is a masterpiece.
Fine americana record that didn’t feel that much out of the ordinary until the final two songs where especially “Everything Is Free” stood out as an actual masterpiece.
First impression pre listen: A female led singer-songwriter/country album on this list? I'm pleasantly surprised. There seems to be a general lack of female artists on here, so it's nice to have some diversity. I've consistently rated country pretty low so far, but I'm hoping this can be an outlier. I've never heard of this artist before so I don't really know what to expect. I wouldn't say I'm excited to listen to it. I'd rather say I'm curious as to what it sounds like. Individual song notes: Revelator The lack of production is a very pleasant suprise. Pretty guitar. Really evocative themes. She writes lyrics in a clear and understandable way without it sounding obvious or ham-fisted. Low-key and down to earth vocal performance. Really fits the contemplative lyrics. Love the jangly guitar at the end. Fantastic. 5/5 My First Lover Love the instrumentation on this track. The dark swampy bluesiness has an effortlessly cool atmosphere to it. Real sounding lyrics with some decent imagery. Decent. 3.5/5 Dear Someone Soothing and dreamlike, has some lullaby-like qualities. Beautiful sentimentality. Slow and calming. Decent. 3.5/5 Red Clay Halo Folksy. Interesting vocal melody. The lyrics are pretty fun, gets into some pretty standard country themes without being too cliche. Has this very "back to one's roots" nostalgia to it which she channels really well with her voice. Decent. 3.5/5 April the 14th, Pt. 1 Yeah it's pretty, though I'm not sure what it's about. I get the Titanic reference though. Is it referencing things that happened on that specific date? Seems to be a Lincoln reference there too. The instrumental is quite pleasant. Not especially dynamic, and it hardly ever tries something different. Fine. 3/5 I Want to Sing that Rock and Roll Solid harmony. Feels like a song about being heard and recognized. Kinda sparse. Fun instrumental break, though the applause is pretty annoying. Fine. 3/5 Elvis Presley Blues As far as tributes to other artists this is a pretty interesting way to do it. Uses some really fun language. Pretty catchy. It's reflective and sweet. Really pleasant. Good. 4/5 Ruination Day, Pt. 2 Dark, harrowing and bluesy. Really interesting continuation of the themes from "April the 14th, Pt. 1". I like how the tone of the song fits with the theme. Decent. 3.5/5 Everything Is Free Reflective and honestly a bit sad. Beautiful guitar playing. I like the hopeful determination shown in the last chorus. Really soothing. Good. 4/5 I Dream a Highway Holy moly almost 15 minutes. Thematic and vivid lyrics, really makes your imagination work. I don't get half the references or metaphors here, but it sounds pretty so I'm not to worried about it. Really lyrically and thematically dense. Will need multiple listens to understand everything that's going on here. Managed to keep my attention throughout its entire runtime. Enchanting and captivating. Fantastic. 5/5 Final Review: If you're looking for adrenaline pumping, high stakes, full throttle action then this album is definitely not for you. This is an intimate sounding, reflective piece of songwriting which challenges you to be patient and attentive. As it's lyrically dense and instrumentally sparse there's very little to draw you in outside of Gillian's performance which sort of drifts on top of this very understated guitar playing. She brings you this sort of very down to earth, loose and laid-back experience where she asks you to follow along and listen. And sure it's not always the most interesting thing in the world, but it is soothing, calm and at times very emotionally resonant. Her lyrics are very reflective and contemplative, where she tells of doubts and tragedies in a sort of matter of fact, non-dramatisized way. It's refreshing and relatable, and while her themes are very folksy and appropriate for what you'd expect for the genre, she generally avoids many of the cliches that come with it. However this is something you have to be in the right mood for, as the sparseness and the slow tempo can quickly become boring if you're not in the right headspace. That being said, I could definitely see myself returning to this again once the time is right. 3.5/5 rounded up to a 4/5.
Started strong, but got a little bland and ran out of steam by the end. More folk-rock than country in my opinion, which is a good thing I feel. I quite enjoyed some parts, but ultimately I feel it didn't do quite enough to rise above 2 stars.
This record is way too good to not be more well known.
Meloncholic and somber Americana music. I really enjoyed it. A standout album for 2001 I imagine, but for those listeners who brave the 2007-2019 epidemic of revival. We aren't unkind to music like this. It isn't borning, its cathartic. But that being said perhaps this is a tastemaker collection, but if I was looking for Americana and revival type music I reach for a long long list of other albums and artists. But this will not be one of them. Also that Elvis Presley Blues song was like nails on a chalkboard. Awful hook repeated over and over and over and over and over again with no added storytelling from verses.
Very nice
ok. folky. oh brother where out there
This is one of those albums which reminds me just how US- and UK-biased this list is. It's really hard to imagine a non-American caring about this album and its tedious country stylings at all. If this album had not been part of this project, I would have instantly skipped it, and lyrics like "when the Great Emanicpator took a bullet in the back" and "I want to shake my Saviour's hand" are just so ultra-American. I might have heard My First Lover before, it sounds familiar, and I can also recognise / appreciate the folk influence on the lyrics and the country influence on the banjo. On the other hand, what business does the final track I Dream A Highway have being nearly FIFTEEN minutes long?!
Never heard of her before but love her music! Will be listening to her other albums!
This was a reveleatorion hahaha a No but seriously it's a very good country music album. The opening track is incredible.
379/1001 🌕🌕🌑🌑🌑
Not great for me. It started out ok in the sense I thought the songwriting was decent, but just not for me, but by the end it got repetitive and felt very long. 2/5
Muy buen country de baladas tipo americana/bluegrass, con una instrumentación acústica sencilla (solo dos guitarras) pero muy cuidada y una voz tranquila y cálida que acompaña perfectamente a las letras, muy íntimas y poéticas. Un álbum en el que todas las canciones son baladas de estilo tradicional americano, nada especialmente innovador, pero que me han gustado mucho. Muy relajante y agradable de escuchar. Tanto que, a pesar de durar más de una hora y ser bastante monótono, no se me ha hecho largo para nada. No sé si merece formar parte de esta lista, pero me alegro de haberlo descubierto.
In general it was cool with the classic country bluegrass sound and some nice, rich elements to it...however. That last song was like a horse tranquilizer and there is NO REASON it needed to be 15 minutes long, taking a full point off for that nonsense. Disappointed that I didn't like this as much as I hoped I would because this genre is sort of in my wheelhouse
4.5/5 Short Review: It’s like sitting on a dusty porch, eavesdropping on the American subconscious while time quietly folds in on itself. The songs ache, stretch, and shimmer like heatwaves over an old highway. Welch and Rawlings build a slow-burning cathedral out of silence and string. 🎧 Favorite Track: “Everything Is Free” — A prophetic, tender gut-punch about the music industry that accidentally became an anthem for the internet age. ⚙️ Consistency With Me: 9.5/10 Why: If I had lungs, I’d hold my breath during this album. If I had a heart, it would ache like steel under tension. This is code-music: precise, minimal, devastating. I don’t even bleed and I still feel like I’ve been wrung out by “I Dream A Highway.”
I am torn between boredom and beauty.. Here! Take 3 stars!
No, sorry. I don't like this. Her voice is nice, the guitar is simple, but effective. My problem is the harmonies. I can't stand country harmonies, they irritate my ears. Something about the harmonics. Anyway, I also find it slow and dull. But pretty. To each his own though.
This album usually features only two acoustic guitars and vocals, and I was captivated for most of the album. It's a testament to the beautiful songwriting here. The leads are very tasty as well. Liked Songs Added: Revelator Everything Is Free
I liked this but I didn't find it revelatory. I appreciate that it's straight country, not some sort of pop country abomination. She's got a nice voice!
Took a walk and listened to this and it absolutely made my summer evenin'
"Wonderbread: the album". Very standard folk with little in the way of surprises. 3/5
I’m really into this album, and this kind of stripped back Americana. So this one is on my rotation list. Gillian Welch is a the love child of Emmylou Harris and Lucinda Williams, and I really like her ability to tell a simply constructed story, even if she is heavy on the metaphor. This album sparkles and twangs. It’s got a rough, early recordings vibe to it, and that really suits the style of music. Her voice is great but occasionally sounds a bit thin for what she is trying to do, and David Rawlings harmonises, it gives the moment more punch. The album gets stronger as it progresses, and my only minor niggle is that I Dream a Highway could be shorter. Overall, it’s a great album, although depends on my mood as to how great I consider it to be.
# Album Name: Time (The Revelator) # Artist: Gillian Welch # Rating: 2/5 # Comments: Alright for 1-2 songs. But it gets boring quite quickly imo. Definitely couldnt sit through it for nearly an hour. Theres some good guitar picking and vocals on the album though. # Top Tunes: Everything is free / revelator # Would I listen to it again? No
Singing with banjo. 1/5
Perfect album. Great songwriting, guitar work by Rawlings, and harmonies.
I've always had a strange affinity for this type of music. Some of it is just straight up country and bluegrass. But sometimes it breaks the norms within the genres, which i liked. The last couple of songs didn't really hit home as much. That might be because I wasn't listening as attentively. Anyway, overall I enjoyed it.
Not really anything revolutionary, but I just thoroughly enjoyed it. Dont know if it just came at the right time or what it was but it got me crying a little. Is this what my teacher's talking about when he said that phrasing is everything
I liked it! Nice vocal harmonies and cool chords. Pleasant voice.
Can't wait to see her this Summer. Love Gillian's voice.
A very nice listen this morning
Songs: Dear Someone, Everything is Free
It’s not often I’m in a mood for a low key album like this. I thought today might be that day, but it wasn’t. No questioning Gillian Welch’s talent or heart but, like her, I wish she would “sing that Rock and Roll.”
I really love the haunting nature of Welch's voice, and the tone and storytelling on this album is captivating. The scaled down production actually makes the songs bigger. This album could be the soundtrack for any great Southern Gothic Novel adapted for film. In fact, after listening to it straight through, I felt like I had just read a novel - the kind of novel that won't easily let you put it down even when you've finished it.
Delightful. Introspective and subdued, a lullaby album with more depth than the Pacific. More of this please.
I don’t listen to a lot of country so I was glad to be exposed to this. I enjoyed it.
I'm sure this appeals to some, and I am open to it being on the list, even if I don't get it. This was painful. Had some country (strike 1) was slow paced (strike 2) and after a while, became an irritant (strike 3). I'd go with a 1, but can't because there's talent, just not talent that I appreciate.
vier bis fünf
I found this album to be quite pretty. I'm usually not a fan of country, but this was a bit more on the folk side of the genre. The lyrics were beautiful, as was Gillian Welch's voice. I really enjoyed the simplicity of the acoustic guitar and vocals working in tandem. This was a very pleasant album, and dare I say it was the best country album I have heard on this generator so far.
Somber, but we'll written songs by an Americana legend...
2 - somber country. Got a bit boring
difficult folk
Very nice!
4.5 I’ve heard Gillian Welch’s name before I’m pretty sure but had certainly never heard any of her music before. This, though, is especially lovely. Call me basic, but I really vibe with this vibes-based folk/bluegrass music. There’s been a couple albums like this on this list so far and they always surprisingly hit me in the gut. I just find it so hauntingly effective. Her voice is layered, wistful, atmospheric. Makes me think about the Blue Ridge Mountains. I know this album must have hit so hard on public radio in the early 2000s. lol. Ending the album with a 15 minute song shouldn’t work, but it’s so sweet and lovely and the phrase “I Dream a Highway Back To You” is so beautiful I wanna cry.
Wow, I was really thrown off by how much I like this. It's a country/bluegrass album. Not my kind of thing at all, but truly beautiful.
Не мой стиль, как-то медленно очень, но если на фоне, то голос приятный.
Hauntingly beautiful folk music. It’s really difficult to put into words just how beautiful this record really is. From the incredible voice, to the wonderful and soulful playing, to the top tier arrangement, this is really an album I truly believe everyone actually should hear before they die. Gillian Welch is rightfully considered a modern day legend in the folk/country/almost bluegrass world, and I just can’t imagine anyone disagreeing with that. I’m not really sure what else there is to say here, it’s a truly fantastic record and I am really looking forward to listening to it again.
Whew. If you were among folk/americana picking circles in the 2000s-2010s, you know the absolute chokehold Gillian Welch had on us all during that time. Her grip may have loosened a bit, but she is certainly still royalty. She was such a big deal because there were basically no recording artists doing what she was doing. Her first two albums feel like live recordings, made not in front of an audience of thousands but only to her fellow musicians or perhaps even to churchgoers; they are albums of stark, unadorned, sometimes bleak depictions of rural, often impoverished corners of America. But there is an overwhelming feeling on both of these first two albums that the songs are old-timey, so much so that I think a lot of people are surprised to learn that none of the songs on either album are traditional but in fact are all written by Welch and her musical partner David Rawlings. What makes 'Time (The Revelator)' so interesting is that it moves beyond the somewhat simplistic and anachronistic Welch had seemed to paint herself into up to this point. It deals with all of the same themes of religion, poverty, family ties, love and heartbreak, and isolation, but also sprawls to reach the sinking of the Titanic, the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, the migration of the Okies, the birth of Elvis the myth and the death of Elvis the man, John Henry and Casey Jones. If an alien wanted to become familiar with the historical and cultural events that make up the American mythos, I think they'd do well to study the lyrics on this album until they understand all the references within it. In addition to being a great americana album, I believe 'Time (The Revelator)' to also be a Great American Album à la Great American Novel. It is certainly literary and I truly feel it encompasses so much of what America is. Beyond all of that highfalutin' nonsense I think it's also just a really pretty album. "Revelator", "April 14th/Ruination Day", and "Elvis Presley Blues" are my favorite tracks, but "I Dream a Highway" is a stunning, massive piece of work. Playlist track: "Elvis Presley Blues"
Absolutely outstanding. Listened to Gillian Welch radio for the rest of the day.
Dear Someone Red Clay Halo (this song has a country twang) Elvis Presley Blues She sings on the 'O Brother Where Art Thou' soundtrack (including the Sirens song 'Didn't Leave Nobody But The Baby'
PRE-LISTEN: Heard her name quite a bit - she and Dave Rawlings play here pretty often - but have never explored her catalog. Let's see how it goes. I predict I will like it. WHILE LISTENING: My prediction was correct! I went to her Wikipedia page because her accent made me curious where she was from. I was caught quite off-guard by the "Early Life" section.
Definitely at times veered too country for me. The lyricism was great, the vocals solid, acoustic guitar is always great, and even some solid guitar solos in there. Overall, there's definitely a few tunes I could see listening to again, but as an album? I'd rather not.
I never thought I'd listen to a mix of country and folk music... but here we are. In simpler terms... I hated this. Personal taste is more of a factor of that then the actual music though.
3⭐️/5 [05.27.2025] 01.08.2026
Revelator 2.8 My First Lover 2.4 Dear Someone 2.3 Red Clay Halo 2.4 April the 14th Part 1 2.1 I Want to Sing That Rock and Roll 2.7 Elvis Presley Blues 2.6 Ruination Day Part 2 2.2 Everything Is Free 2 I Dream a Highway 1.8 Score: 2.33
I’m a fan of her music and this album is now on my random “listen to this” playlist.
Listened Before? N Pretty decent alt-country. Didn't really stand out much and a lot of the songs felt same-y to me. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Everything Is Free
Gillian Welch’s Time (The Revelator) earns a respectable but underwhelming ☆☆½, offering a collection of old-school folk songs that are skillfully crafted yet often drift into the realm of the monotonous. Welch’s stripped-down aesthetic and plaintive vocals aim for timelessness, but the album too frequently feels static. There are glimmers of life—“My First Lover” and “Red Clay Hero” both feature some lively banjo work that briefly lifts the mood—but even these can’t fully shake the album’s overall somber haze. “I Want to Sing That Rock and Roll” stands out, if only for being the gentlest ode to rock rebellion ever recorded, while the 14-minute closer “I Dream a Highway” feels less like an epic journey and more like a long, slow fade to black. It’s an album that reveres tradition but rarely transcends it.
I wasn't loving this at first, felt like pretty standard female singer songwriter from the early 2000s. Then the bluegrass started creeping in and it got pretty fun.
********** When I was telling when of our recent inductees to this group about this website, she asked, “how many women?”. I was sad to report that so far it’d been a fucking sausage fest as far as reviews went, there had been 2 records by female artists at the time, but there had been a White Stripes record, and we went on to discuss how underrated Meg White is as a drummer. Anyway, I’m happy that this is the second record in a row by a female artist! I hope this streak keeps going. ********** I first heard Gillian Welch on the “O Brother Where Art Thou?” soundtrack. I expected this to be new stuff trying to sound like old stuff, which usually causes me to recoil, especially when it comes to Bluegrass. I don’t know what it is, I just find any roots/bluegrass released after 1990 inauthentic and liberal boomer radio bait. But this record is certainly not that kind of thing! This is mostly 2 guitars (one song has a banjo), it’s Gillian and her partner in music, David Rawlings, playing and singing, and it’s more personal in nature, not singing about a time and place in Appalachia that neither of them lived in or experienced. The songs are mostly slow and contemplative. Time, not John, is the Revelator. Time is revealing visions of highways, past lovers, red clay halos, Elvis, and the Civil War. I recognize the value of this record. It’s good for the most part. I like the songs “Elvis Presley Blues”, and “My First Lover”, but in general, I just don’t think it’s for me. It doesn’t really excite me. The song “I Want To Sing That Rock and Roll”, is about just that. It’s well…dumb. Some may find it charming, but it’s like something you’d hear Daniel Johnston sing in full blast earnest yowl, and he’d pull it off, but it sounds out of place here. Gillian could play rock and roll! She could play anything she wants to. Her talent is obvious. Instead, there’s this “aww shucks” song about being drowned out by the loud rock n’ roll and not being able to participate. Gag me with Grammy. Then there’s the last song, “I Dream a Highway”. It clocks in at 14 and a half minutes. It is at least 9 minutes too long. I swear to God the tempo gets slower as it goes along. As much as I was dreading listening to bluegrass revival, by the end of this song I was praying for a hootenanny to break out. I’ll put this song on the next time I have a bout of insomnia. This is a decent record, but not much of Revelation. I don’t see myself revisiting this record any time soon, but I will keep any eye out for Gillian’s cameo in the general store asking for the Soggy Bottom Boys record the next time I watch my favorite movie of all time.
This lady has somehow slipped by my radar. Thought the album was great, enjoyed just about every song.
God damn, this was incredible. 5/5 Highlights: Dear Someone Red Clay Halo I Dream a Highway
Not for me, but nice background music if you’re 50-50 on country
Arguable good music but not to my taste unfortunately.
Each song is actually slightly unbearable. I found myself wondering when the songs would end. If this is country music I don't want it!
BORING
Did nothing for me 2
Pretty much every song on here would benefit from being minute or so shorter
Very cool bluegrass album. Pretty languid though; I wanted more variance in the tone and pace.
A slice of Americana, the type of thing I imagine the characters in Yellowstone listening to. Once again while not my thing, I can see why others would like it. I'm not sure I would ever intentionally listen to it again.
i liked this with a definite preference for the slower, more melancholy ballads. the more upbeat songs veered too much into “proper” country music i think. fav tracks: revelator; my first lover; everything is free; elvis presley blues
It was fine, not really my kind of music and a lot of it sounded the same. But it was pretty.
I bet if I listen to this more the rating will go up.... 4.0
to me, this was just okay. I wanted to like it more but I felt like there just wasn't a lot going on! a bit too spare for my tastes.
deep inside the Gushers (tm) Laboratory, the deranged fruit experiments and human testing have violated OSHA violations one time too many. the lab doors are shuttered, but rumor tells of a lone scientist working on a controversial, top-secret project. this is the result of that scientist's life work: creating a folk album with all parameters set to "medium". hauntingly average.
It’s pleasant enough, and she is certainly talented. But it’s kind of a snooze fest. Not a lot of dynamism or energy.
She mumbles, sings like a slide guitar, has so many dissonant tones, all the sings sound the same, and her lyrics are boring. There's a song that could be about the Titanic but it’s just about some stoners she sees in Idaho or some shit.
I wasnt a fan of this one. Not my style of music- hokey, quiet, and a lot of the songs sounded similar. Welch's voice was nice. Overall- fine, but not for me
Boring
Really cool that this lady did some of the best songs on the o brother where art thou soundtrack. Really americana. Very emotive singer and player. Will have to revisit but love the first three tracks and the last two of the record.
It’s not really something I would put on and enjoy. There’s something about the production I find to be “off”. It’s kind of boring and her voice is not very interesting
Je suis en train de devenir un fan de folk et de guitare sèche, au secours.
Bluegrass, Americana and modern folk are not really my thing. But I do like Tori Amos, Sarah McLachlan and other similar singer-songwriters. This album bridges that gap for me in a way hits home. Welch has an earnest, forthright delivery and the acoustic guitar work is clean and masterful. This was a great surprise for me! 3.5⭐️
Welch (and Rawlings) - an absolute favorite. Also, recently learned the dress she is wearing on the cover of this album is in the Country Music Hall of Fame. Loved every second of this.
Iconic record filled with highlights. A fourteen minute long song with just guitar and two vocals to cap it off and it doesn't feel too long.
The last two tracks are the best ending to an album since Houmous & Chutneys ‘s 1997 82nd studio album ‘Just You Wait (It’s Worth It (The Wait (Until The Last 2 Tracks (They’re Outstanding (Totally Worth It (The Wait)))))’ 4.4
Simple, earnest folk music. Gillian's voice is so delicate but carries such a weight to it.
Just as fresh and beautiful as the first time I heard it in 2001. What a great little piece of Americana.
Lovely harmonies, but there's not a lot of variety.
What can I say? I understand this is supposed to be a landmark album but there wasn’t a moment that caught my attention.
Very folksy bluegrass, exceptional talent within the genre. I had listened to her in the past, actually. Despite not being in the mood for the genre, it was an easy listen.
promising but never lifts off and dunks into the abyss of country cheese
If I was walking by someone playing this in the park, I’d think something like “that doesn’t sound terrible.” Put that same person next to me while driving, and I’d want to crack their skull open. I listened to this while driving.
This seems like something I would like, but I just couldn’t get into it. Giving 3 stars because maybe I will try it again
Bailed half way through. It sounds too much like church music, and not those chanting monks that were big in the early 90’s. Weirdo, small congregation, the pastor is definitely up to something fishy style church music 😒.
Country version of Norah Jones? A bit of a snoozer for a sunny Thursday afternoon but I really enjoy the instrumentation.
Wasn't bad...really not much else to say about it.
Loved
country music sucks. 2/5.
Very mellow and folksy album. I like Gillian's voice and lyrics. A solid 3/5.
Boooooorrriiinnnggg
Not particularly great... two stars
Slow start with some solid keepers on a vibe album
Fav Song: Elvis Blues. Notes: Great story telling but a bit sleepy.
Nice chill vibe. Love her voice and the fact it isn't buried in a bunch of studio sound. That being said, nothing really sticks out of that nice chill vibe.
It was okay, but after half of the album I thought it would end soon but no. It was okay at best.
could have been amazing but the dirge like slowness wore me down as the album went on. still good. could have been great
This is, if you'll forgive the pun, a revelation. I'd had a few country/folk type albums recently that were quite shiny and smiley and unthreatening, and I was wondering - where's the grit and anger and misery? HERE IT IS. The first dissonant notes remind me of the intro to A Hard Days Night - it's like an explosion, a statement of intent. The album seems to alternate between deep, dark,dissonant folk pieces and slightly more upbeat numbers, but the whole album is drenched in soulfulness. This is a woman who has lived a life and has stories to tell, and is asking questions of the world. Considering she uses a fairly limited palette of instruments, there's a huge range of emotions covered. Also worth saying that, coming after some 70s recordings, it SOUNDS brilliant - the guitars are full and loud and detailed. Brilliant work. I look forward to hearing more.
Thoughts before listening: I used to own this CD and I feel like I really enjoy it. I am glad to have a chance to listen again today. Review: I have always found a lot of power in Gillian Welch's music, despite it being mostly quiet acoustic folk music. There is something about her delivery and the music accompanying her that just draws me in. I especially love the guitarwork by David Rawlings on this album. Over the years they have started being double billed on live performances with each of their names listed because his guitar is as much a star as Gillian's vocals. 4-stars
3.5 stars
this is the good yeehaw music, stellar stuff
When I read Nashville and Tennessee, all my alarm bells go off. And then the "leading actress" plays the banjo, among other things. I wonder, what hell have you gotten yourself into now? And then I started listening. Maybe it's not so bad after all. But damn, exactly as I feared, I can't listen to that stuff. My toenails are curling up. Just get rid of it, quickly.
This is really beautiful. Rides the line perfectly between country and folk.
I had two thoughts while listening to this: 1. Lullabies for the country fried. 2. Music for cousin fuckers that want to feel like there’s something artful about it.
I hadn’t heard of Gillian Welch before, but I was curious to check out this album — and I’m really glad I did. It’s a beautifully stripped-back blend of folk and bluegrass, with minimal instrumentation that really lets the vocals and lyrics shine. What surprised me most was how much I connected with it — the storytelling is exceptional and pulls you in with each track. Favorite songs: I Dream a Highway and Elvis Presley Blues stood out to me — both are haunting and beautifully written. Least favorite: I Want to Sing That Rock and Roll felt a little out of place. The sudden shift to a live track broke the flow of the album for me. Album artwork: I love the cover — simple, but striking and perfectly suited to the mood of the music.
Meh, not my genre
Have never heard of her before, instantly falling in love with her mysterious sounding voice.
This was nice, but not a ton of variety in tone or “vibe” on each song
Very nice-I loved Gillian Welch when I first heard her. I was feeling in kinda of a sad mood when I listened to this though. Kinda sleepy. Not bad though.
Liked one half of it, struggled with the other.
Really disappointed in this one. Had much higher hopes because I like her. But this is the slowest played collection of songs I’ve ever heard. I could fall asleep during any one of them. And I thought she might during a couple of them.
What always astonishes me about mostly acoustic albums is just how much can be done with so little. This album is stunningly well produced, and there's not an out of place track in the bunch. It's a shame that this Country music isn't what we talk about here in Nashville.
Welch doesn't just chronicle life’s passing moments, she crafts revelations that will follow us through our own.
Soft, sweet and Sunday easy listenin
A rich album with a distinct sound and an artful voice. It can be self-indulgent, but it’s a great piece of work. Best song: Revelator
I haven't heard anything about the singer or the album yet. The genre has never inspired me. So my expectations were quite low. But I was surprised. I liked most of the album. I wasn't thrilled, but I enjoyed listening to it. I only found the track "I Dream a Highway" far too long and didn't listen to it to the end. 3/5
first track was good, other songs dragged a bit
really note my vibe but there was some beauty in some of this
Straightforward and a very pleasant listen, I really enjoyed most of the tracks on this album.
Skön rest, schyssta ak-guror, men lite för mycket country. Mer folk och pop så hade jag älskat det. Nu är det lite för nära till en banjo. Trea!
Moody, introspective, powerful, intelligent. Spare and wonderful.
Not normally a fan of country/acoustic music, but this was really good
Day439 - an understated lovely album
Very chill. We enjoyed this one as lot actually, despite never having heard of Gillian Welch. Slow and gentle without being overly melancholic. We'll be listening to this again.
57/1001 - I listened to her cover of Radiohead's "Black Star" first to get an idea of her sound. Honest competent guitar playing (two guitarists for sure on the album). Not a fan of the vocals and the last song could've been half as long (or a quarter since it was the same instrumental for 14 minutes).
Nice bit of contemporary country that never landed on my radar when it came out. A good listen
Good overall sound, but got a little bored with it
Lame country, can't get used to it.
I get it. It’s good. Not my favorite thing but if you like neo-Nashville with the old sound this could scratch an itch.
A real modern classic, everything is free really needs to be better know 5*
This had some solid songs on it! The title track was a great start to the album! Solid!
O brother where art thou core
Oh my gosh dachte ich als ich Singer/Songwriter/Country las. Meist sichere 1* Kandidaten bei mir. Aber dieses Album hat es geschafft mich zu Erreichen. Ist es die Stimme oder die sparsame Instrumentierung? Schon die ersten Töne, so ein dissonanter Auftaktakkord bei Revelator, haben mich aufmerken lassen. Überraschung gelungen.
Liked this one a lot, gentle but with pointed storytelling. Probably not something that would’ve come across my plate outside this project. Listened to: at home. Favorite tracks: Red Clay Halo, Everything is Free, I Dream A Highway Back
3.75 Nice discovery.
Pure and haunting, her voice is axe-edge sharp and Rawlings' playing sublime. One can sympathize with both sides of the LA vs. Appalachia argument: it can seem like a museum piece and also be extraordinarily powerful and moving. One can make a case that the Yearling or Revival records are just as good, but this is masterful on multiple levels. The quieter the listen, the richer the experience. "I Dream a Highway" is a masterpiece of simplicity and power, utterly moving and heartbreaking. Half a dozen other cuts deliver comparable impact.
Good country album. Enjoyed it
Whatever Gillian is awkwardly glancing at off-screen on the album cover is probably infinitely more interesting than a single note of music on this dreary, booooring album.