Reviews (page 6 of 13)
Fantastic singer/songwriter album, but maybe it's me, I found it great as just background music. Would listen again though. 4/5
Extremely beautiful. Not as consistent as Pink Moon, but still a lovely listen. 4/5
Don’t love as much as Bryter, but still great. Need to listen a few more times…
calmíssimo! para deixar rolando e tomar um café da manhã com calma no sítio
Well played
Liked it.
Musically pretty incredible. Not fully on board with the vocals though.
'So, I'll leave the ways that are making me be / What I really don't want to be.' I have never had to acquire a deep regard for Nick Drake's music. If anything, I've had to reevaluate my initial impression of his genius. But the more I listen, the more I'm absolutely convinced that he's a special talent, the composer of three uniquely excellent albums. What I admire most is that he's no malcontent; although he offers a morose image, that's mere superficiality: he wants, more than anything, to be rid of his worst habits. He has a real poetic sensibility, w/ evocative lines like: 'Three hours from speaking / Everyone's flown.' The orchestration is never ornamental, only appropriate, and his genre is a superb amalgamation of folk, jazz, blues.
Peaceful and comforting
rather nice, low 4
Топ
A real late 60’s vibe without the extraneous production fluff. Layers of folk, country, orchestral pieces, a slight Latin flair in spots and jazz all coming together to make a great listen the deeper into the album you go. Vocals remind me of Seal from the late 90’s; effortless resonance in the voice and very smooth. A true surprise from an artist I have never heard of.
Listening to Nick Drake sing should be a recognized form of therapy.
Feels like an album I should be sipping tea too, while staring wistfully out the window of my cottage at my wildflower garden on a foggy day.
perfect rainy day music. what a calming way to listen to a dude shred. wish i could sit in a house near the beach in mendocino and just have this on all day with a coffee.
Having this after two Leonard Cohen records really helped me with perspective, the production on this record is slick. Stripped back instrumentation with plenty of oomph when the track calls for it spotlighting killer songwriting and a voice to die for. I love this shit.
muy moody, folky, con gusto. Reminiscencias protolejanas por la voz medio rara a Dinosaur Jr. Pavement, Elliot Smith, Sufjan Stevens
You can see the influence of this guy in so many other singer songwriters. Nice album,.
Stripped down, folly, slightly haunting, and kind of beautiful. Definitely not something I would have picked up on my own, but something I'm definitely glad I've listened to now - the kind of feeling this list was made for :)
Not sure what I was expecting but it wasn’t this. Very chill folk vibes, I enjoyed it alot
Album de folk, une petite mélancolie s'installe quand t'écoute l'album mais tu te sens pas triste, c'est une mélancolie qui te donne envie de te poser et regarder un paysage.
It surprised me that I liked that album, as I usually don't listen to that kind of music. The instrumentals are beautiful, especially the guitar. After a few listens, the way Nick Drake stretches out the syllable at the end of a verse gets a bit tiring, but that's not too much of a problem.
3.5
love Nick Drake - think i like Pink Moon better but a solid album
I wanted to like this more, but it did not draw me in enough that I was blown away and felt like I had to have it in my collection. a few songs got my attention, but other than that it was good, but not incredible
Love this album and love Nick Drake. Pretty unique blend of folk, classical, and jazz. This is a 5 star collection of songs that ultimately coalesces into a 4 star album.
The artist is as somber as he is talented. I love the light folk guitar mixed with more traditional orchestral instruments. I wish this man had not been so depressed. He could have made more incredible music. His music stylings fit his own sad story, an unappreciated poet in his time that ended life far too early.
Excellent songwriting. Sad that he died young.
beautiful songwriting and arrangements. i like the melancholic vibes. overall extremely well done and an easy five if you like this style but ultimately it's not for me
9/10
Enjoyed
Love Nick Drake. Pink Moon will get 5 stars from me. This gets 4.
Great melancholy folk album. Loved the vibe, production and songwriting. This will be a great album to re listen to
Irgendwie ein bisschen irisch. Erstaunlich gute Soundqualität für 1969
Kind okay, too folks for me
not my usual style burt good
very high 4 so like a 4.5-8
A fragile talent. Everything he produced was filled by melancholic magic
Feels like a well worn jacket one that reminds you of better days gone by. Nick Drake had a way to combine subtle instrumentals with lyrics that foretold his lack of success in his lifetime, maybe a part of its appeal, you hear an artist crafting songs for himself and maybe close friends, but without thinking about stardom or riches.
It's my favorite folk artist's 2nd best album. Lovely compositions and mostly all stellar cuts save for "Way to Blue" which I really don't care for. Everything else though is for all time.
8/10 Unfortunate that no one really saw what he was doing at the time, insanely beautiful at its best parts, quite nice all the way through, though it was only a sign of what was to come as we submerged into catharsis. Pink Moon is a perfect album, but in another better world I would have hoped that he stayed with us. River Man aaaaaa
Really lovely album. Save?
Needs some time and has to be played loud. Beautiful guitar and instrumentation.
Listened to it twice. It didnt disappoint.
Right up my alley, and definitely one I'll want to revisit. I didn't get much from the lyrics or singing on the first listen, but I just loved the instrumentation and tone.
Gorgeous. But what a downer. Hah.
This is my second Nick Drake album and for the second time I've experienced his work wash over me and not really grab me the first go through. Then I've found myself wanting to listen to it again and been drawn back in, listened to it more closely a couple more times and really started to appreciate the gorgeous guitar work and genius songwriting. It wasn't long before I decided I wanted to buy a copy of Pink Mook and it wouldn't be a huge shock to find Five Leaves Left make its way into my collection sometime in the next year.
Really enjoyed this. Would be great chill morning drive music
Angelic vocals and a strong aversion to choruses or melodic hooks. This is organic & peaceful. Cello Song is literally a perfect piece of music.
The amount of time it takes to get this good this early—10k hours, whatever—it really makes me wonder what you give up and why, the age-old question about the overlap between genius and depression. Maybe mental (un)health is the devil these guys made deals with down the crossroads? And did I have that, or the makings of it, and my folks denied me the chance to sink any further into it than I did by insisting I “keep busy” swimming (they didn’t care about swimming, per se, as much as that I did something) instead? I don’t have Nick’s talent, or Jeff Buckley’s. But could I have, if I’d spent 30-40 hours a week with a guitar across my knee instead of in speedos? I had the world weariness. Where would that drive have gone? Would it have gone anywhere? Would I have even had it? Would music have provided a better outlet than swimming? Was it an outlet for Nick? Or Jimi or Jim or Janis? Or did it deepen the pain? Was it a guitar or a loaded gun? Would that have survived if they swam, or did tennis or badminton or ice skating, instead? What’s the combination of pain and balm that our obsessions provide? Who knows—who can know—what the right mixture is that lets some of us squeeze through and pinches off the others?
Lovely
The guitar, the voice, the orchestration ❤️
It is maybe just a bit too demure and depressing for a full five stars, but it is ideal background music.
Enjoyed this more than pink moon
Two Nick Drakes in a row, that is one too many for me.
Calm, a bit depressing, but very enjoyable. Great music and instrumentation. Soft, soothing voice. 8 out of 10.
I recommend doing something twee while listening to this - I wound wool yarn that I plan to knit into a sweater. Chill, positive vibes.
One of my favorite melancholic folk albums. An exceptional variety of instruments scattered about to pull you into Nick Drake's grey, bleak world. Him and Mac Miller will top my "what if" charts. This being Nick Drake's debut album is astonishing. River Man, Three Hours, Day is Done and Fruit Tree are my stand out tracks with Three Hours being one of my favorite Nick Drake songs period. Personally, I prefer Bryter Layter but the connections and growth between them are impossible to ignore. if anyone is interested in learning more about Nick Drake check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9azMyryhwo
Very enjoyable folk album, Drake has a lovely voice and the instrumentation was elite. “River Man” and “Saturday Sun” are highlights. This is an album I will revisit, and it has the potential to move to 5 stars as I spend more time with it.
Beautiful, melancholy music, all thats left of this sensitive soul. More gifted than 90% of the albums on this list.
Más relajante que la hostia, nunca había oído hablar de este señor. Me gustó mucho.
while I didn't find there were any exceptional songs, reading the Spotify biography broke by heart a little bit, so I feel obliged to check out his other work, little of it as there may be
So far better than I remember it. Much better for me, more austere than Bryter Later. A little bit too soft and dreamy- I still like his demos and Pink Moon the best, but this is a good representation of his work. A nice listen.
A great soothing album to sit back and listen to. Very easy and peaceful folk songs. I feel like the album did lose a bit of steam at the end and would have been better served with fewer tracks, but all in all a very nice listen. Top tracks: Time Has Told Me, River Man, Way To Blue
I really love a few of the songs on this one. It's not as precious to me as Pink Moon but still very good.
It’s such a shame that Nick Drake passed away so young. I really wish we could have heard more from him. Unfortunately, his music didn’t get much recognition during his lifetime, but after his death, it gained a cult following and influenced many modern musicians. This was his debut album, and it’s clear he started out strong. The music is mostly folk with chamber and baroque pop influences.
Lovely stuff, especially liked Day is Done, Cello Song and Fruit Tree
A really beautiful album with some stunning songs
An achingly beautiful album, tinged with regret but full of warmth and life. Drake's intricately melodic guitar is well accompanied by the best rhythm section in folk and the full band sound (especially the string/wind arrangements) really elevates this record. Expansive songwriting, poignant lyrics, spot-on production: the only thing keeping it from my very top tier of albums is the obligatory "funny" track which snaps me right out of the dark mood! This album really speaks to me - it is fundamentally morose without ever veering into self-pity and conveys a real yearning for positivity from a voice that feels compelled to wallow in negativity. "Leave the ways that are making you be, What you really don't want to be. Leave the ways that are making you love, What you really don't want to love" Favourite tracks: all of them except Man in a Shed
Really enjoyed the lyrics and musicianship, just can't get behind his vocal sound.
i heard he invented music
Amazing singing voice. Great lyrics and tune. Very easy to listen too. Will need to listen to more of his stuff.
Sterling singer-songwriter chops here, thankfully almost entirely without dates late-60s flourishes. I added a good half these songs to my playlist. This is a 4.5 on first listen.
Super, kann leider nicht viel schreiben, weil ich in Paris bin
ach nick baby, du bisch eifach wie en warme früehligstag nacheme chalte winter und glichzitig en liecht chüehle herbsttag nach eme heisse summer. genau das woni bruche <3 zu dem spezielle ahlass griff au ich wieder mal tüüf id fun-fact chischte: - ich han 1 tag zuvor das album gseh und dänkt: oh das muessi au mal lose - de nick drake isch min 7. meistgloste künstler im letzte halbe jahr - ich han gläse, dass er nur öppe 20 mal ide öffentlichkeit performt hed und so vill ich weiss gids fast kei video footage vo dene uftritt ide sad-fact chischte hani leider au no öppis gfunde: - er isch mit 26i anere überdosis antidepressiva gstorbe :( «five leaves left» hed mi wie erwartet sehr fest ih sinn bann zoge und ich bin churz devor gsi wieder en 5 stern bewertig us'm ärmel z'schüttle aber «bryter layter» hed mi doch es spürli meh wegghaue… drum riessi mi dasmal zämme und gibe 4 ganz grossi stern (also wüki riesigi stern)
Nick Drake's orchestral compositions always paired beautifully with his somber folk songs. He has to be one of the saddest musicians who ever lived, and his lonely sorrow bleeds through with every note on this album. Beautiful, rich, full of warm tones that feels like a good hug. There's a reason Nick Drake is so highly praised.
Seems good to me, not my fav but I can get it. Will I listen to again: 50%
I didn't realize I was such a Nick Drake fan. And it turns out I'm late to the party, but better late thatn never. Some of the saddest music I've come across, executed with maturity and an elegant sincerity I've also rarely come across. Really brilliant. Needs more listens.
An album I've been meaning to listeb to for a while. Having listened to Nick Drake's other albums I'm expecting more of the same. Time Will Tell You. Calming, sparse at times a little hypnotic. Flavourful and strong. 4/5 River Man. The strange delivery makes Nick Drake sound like he's from a distant time. The strings are a good addition to the simple instrumentation. Feels like a fairytale soundtrack. 4/5 Three Hours. Opening sounds mysterious. Mysticism vibes continue. Psychedelic in a way. Great track. 4.5/5 Way to blue. Moody land owkey 4/5 Day is done. Lullaby-like. Background violin is beautiful. Guitar plucking makes a nice melody. 5/5 Cello song. Really pleasant guitar melody. Cello is used effectively. Poetic lyrics. Percussion is interesting. 4/5 The thoughts of Mary Jane. The delivery is a bit rougher on this track. Flute playing a contrasting melody. Sounds like a quiet wet summer morning in the garden. 4.2/5 Man in a Shed. The mixing does not sound good in my headphones. Can barely hear the vocals. Jazzy piano and upright bass is umexpected. A bit boring. Let down by the mixing 2.5/5 Fruit Tree. Opens up with what sounds like the start of a campfire song. Great poetry so far. Sad and depressing. Dramatic instrumentation. Liked it 4/5 Saturday Sun. Opening piano sets the tone well. Starts off optimistic, but ends off sad and defeated. Surprisingly jazzy at times. Gloomy. 4.5/5 Really sleep deprived and tired when listening to this. Needs a relisten in a better mood. First impression might be somewhat skewed. Fave track. Day is done Least fave track. Man in a shed
Enjoyable album. Plenty of interesting guitar pieces and impressive string sections. Songs mellow, tender and anguishingly beautiful. Don't know how likely I am to actively seek out another listen, but certainly wouldn't turn it down given the right opportunity.
Tragically underappreciated genius.
Like most Nick Drake albums, Five Leaves Left is an enjoyable and interesting album. I have heard multiple albums by Nick Drake, and this doesn't disappoint. On the other hand, it isn't very different from his other work. Artists like this seem to always deliver in their lane, and while that lane is very particular, it is reliable. And it evokes a natural and unforced introspection. I may never be able to differentiate his work within his catalog, but I am always willing to listen.
4.0 Very good. Beautiful voice, some beautiful songs. Only thing holding it back is a slightly higher concentration of weaker tracks (eg way to blue, Saturday sun) compared to Bryter Layter/Pink Moon. However there are still plenty on here (Riverman, Man in a Shed) that should walk on to any acoustic playlist.
Also a great album
Pleasant, makes for good walking music, especially when it’s warm and sunny.
I've got a Nick Drake compilation so knew some of the songs. Guitar playing throughout is superb.
I like the mix of folk and jazz, with melancholy vocals down the middle enlivened by playful piano, bass, and guitar. But the album remains mostly pensive, like walking through an empty city on a rainy night. I suspect this would reward the listener on multiple, patient listens (which would explain why Drake’s albums appear to be sleeper classics). Going to round up to 4 stars for this evident quality. Favorite songs on first listen were “Time Has Told Me” and especially “Man in a Shed.” I was excited about a third song but it turned the Spotify algorithm had sent me into a different Nick Drake album.
Beautiful. A feast for the ears. Didn’t like it quite as much as Bryter Later.
Not perfect, but way better than I was expecting given it's from 1969 - a lot of it still sounds relatively modern. I liked the orchestral parts a lot, they added some complexity that kept the album from getting stale. Time Has Told Me was pretty good, but my favorites were Way To Blue and Day Is Done.
I wasn't expecting to enjoy this one that much
Awesome — Three Hours is a perfect fit for a movie montage.
Pretty
I really like the album from the first track. Ok, this album is great. There was a lot of hype around “ pink moon” 20 yeast ago, and not I get it. “The cello song” is fantastic!!
Extremely relaxing and sentimental
Firstly, nick drake is not a fusion between nick cave and drake, since the former is down under's own evergreen alternative rock icon, the latter is the most iconic (and the most memed) rapper from the great white north tried to strike a chord with people but choose to hit A Minor and became the ultimate loser, and nick drake is a british folk singer who died young. secondly, nick cave said that he enjoys nick drake's songs, saying that "Whenever I have heard Nick Drake’s music over the years I have enjoyed it" (Cave, 2021). so i might enjoy it too, i thought. Finally, this album is, once again, something that I considered as weird. but it also has this conforming quality that seems to embrace me in its weirdness. p.s. but there IS a meme on the internet, fusing the "hotline bling" meme with the lyrics in one of nick cave's songs, in case you want to know. 4/5 works cited: Cave, N. (2021, July) "Nick Cave - The Red Hand Files - Issue #159" The Red Hand Files. https://www.theredhandfiles.com/relation-between-you-nick-drake/
Chill vibe. Heartbreaking artist story.
Bringing emotions to the table that I’m not quite sure how to unpack on a Monday night, let alone the first day of school. River Man might be one of the best songs I’ve ever heard. The album is simply magnificent and shows the passion of Drake oozing through his guitar playing and the raw poetry that blossoms in every song.
Hauntingly Intimate. Lyrical poetry & and a beautiful voice, coupled with strong guitar. This album is so tonally specific and it transports me: I feel like I'm sitting in a cottage in the woods in the fall, at dawn, sipping some coffee and burning a candle.
although nick drake is within my taste i don’t always love his music. i haven’t listened to this album in full before though and enjoyed it more than i thought
Fuck the haters… this is awesome
This is a great debut record. Time Has Told Me is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard
Beautiful voice and songwriting
Not Nick Drake's best album, but still good
Two from Nick Drake in quick succession - I think I actually prefer this to Pink Moon, a bit more variation.
I didn’t know any of the songs on this record - which was nice. If I hear Pink Moon one more time I might scream. Still beautiful music.
Such a lovely album. And so very sad that he never knew how loved he would become.
Nice, blueprint of Calm Folk music
This album is one of those with surprising modern hip-ness. The tiny desk would go off. The intricate instrumentals have both groove and intrigue. The atmosphere is mysterious yet joyful. It is the first I can recall of listening to Nick Drake, which I suspect some will be jealous of. This one is getting saved to the playlist.
Wie formuliere ich das jetzt richtig? Sehr ruhiges Album mit sanftem Klang, was aber auch nicht einlullt. Mir hats gefallen, aber kein Blockbuster, 4 Sterne
Angenehme Musik, day is done und cello song fand ich besten.
Nette Easy-Listening Musik.
It's like and old and magical world... Like the beauty that Anne of Green Gables talked about. Surrounded by nature. Wonderful and calm.
Such a soothing album from an unmistakable voice.
Amazed he recorded this while in college...I may have rated a notch higher if I was in a mountain lodge next to a fire sipping on some whiskey and contemplating life. Still worthy of a 4 rating IMO. 3.75/5
I feel like the songs don't really flow as an album but individually they are all great
"They will know that you were here, when you are gone" This album feels like autumn. It’s warm and comforting, but also haunting at the same time and that mix is what makes it special. Nick Drake builds a whole world around you when you listen. His voice is soft, the guitars are gentle, and the strings are beautiful without ever feeling too much. It’s crazy to think he was only 21 when he made this. The writing is deep, emotional, and wise in a way most people don’t reach in their whole life. Every song feels honest and fragile, like he’s talking directly to you. Sadly, the story around him makes the album even more heartbreaking. He wasn’t very famous while he was alive, and most people discovered him only after his death. Over time he became known as one of the greatest folk artists ever which he truly deserves but that recognition came too late. The production is gorgeous, the mood is consistent, and as a debut, it’s honestly legendary. One of the best first albums ever, and one of the most beautiful folk records I’ve heard.
Beautiful album. Lovely voice
I really like Nick Drake and his dreamy, pastoral sound here is brilliant. Of his three albums i feel this is the middle ground and it probably makes it the lowest rank of the the three but still a treat for the ears and the soul
We had just gotten "Pink Moon" a few weeks prior. I know we are getting to the end of the list, but I was hoping to space this out from the other one. They do not sound THAT different, but I like that this album had a wider range of instruments to it (at least, that's what I thought). Just like the other albums, it's very contemplative. I had wondered why all three of the albums were on the list; perhaps something else could have been put in one of their places? But after listening to all three, I am unsure which one to remove. They are all of equal quality, IMO. Top tracks: "The Thoughts of Mary Jane," "'Cello Song," "Time Has Told Me"
En av mina två Nick Drake-skivor.
Pretty good. I remember listening to this in the past and really liking it. I wasn’t in the right mood for it today, so it didn’t quite hit the same, but still good stuff in here.
Can’t decide if I like this one or the other better. So they tie! Win win!
I really want to pretend that I’m not impressed with Nick Drake and over it, but this was another one I can’t deny I liked.
Very beautiful, but I don't think it hits _quite_ as hard as the next two.
love it but bryter layter has my heart
Solid, melancholy, but some parts soar above others
Really good stuff. Pretty timeless sounding.
As a guitar player I love Nick Drake, though I’ve only heard Pink Moon. Beautiful album. Not everything quite hit me, but it was great nonetheless
Lovely!
Ecco, questo ce lo vedo ad ascoltarmelo in macchina
Wonderful - could think this was contemporary. Can't wait for pink moon to come up because apparently that's even better? Very auspicious this came up on the week of his death.
Pretty good. Like a less emo/melancholy Elliot smith. I like the voice and guitar and especially the composition and orchestral instruments. The percussion is unique as well. 8/10
Quiet
No sé si es calma o que pero suele acompañarme
Nick Drake is awesome
Nick Drake is cool. I'm realizing somehow jazz feels invulnerable to time. Like the songs that skew jazzy feel less dated. Saturday Sun feels timeless. Great ending to a solidly pleasant album. Can't be mad at this stuff.
Very good vibes all around; this was my second Nick Drake album and it definitely got me more into him. Couldn't really understand what he was saying though.
Really good. Amazing orchestrals
He’s on to something
Heel mooi
Niet normaliter mijn smaak maar iets aan de melancholische noten in het album hitten wel home. Dit is zeker een artiest die ik nog wel eens ga opzetten, maar op de juiste tijd, een regenachtige al melancholische dag oid.
I've heard this album before. What a beautiful piece of art that I can't find myself listening to more often because it just feels so deep in melancholy that it will drag you down. Nick Drake was such a gifted singer and songwriter and it is sad that he was such a lost and sad soul.
It was a dreary, drizzly, and gray November day today here in Georgia, which was the perfect ambiance for this album. This is the last of Nick Drake’s albums I hadn’t listened to before, and it’s much more akin to ‘Pink Moon’ than ‘Bryter Layter’. That is to say, it’s “sad-guy-with-guitar” music, which is a much more crowded field than whatever the fabulous ‘Bryter Layter’ counts as. To be sure, Drake does a beautiful version of “sad-guy-with-guitar” music. I love his unique voice and I love his lyrics. To consider that this album came out in 1969 is pretty remarkable - it sounds about 35 years ahead of its time. There was a time when every coffee shop singer-songwriter seemed to be going for Drake’s sound, which is unfortunate because it’s hard to not be somewhat desensitized to the genuine article. Overall, Drake does what he does and does it well. This album is a bit one-note for me to really fall in love with as a whole, but it’s a very fine product. 8/10
está bastante bueno y eso que voy en la primera canción, se escucha tranquila y suave
Oh that was kind of nice, not bad
Folk classic!
Kinda gas actually. Mellow acoustic guitar with dramatic orchestral bits mixed in. A few duds throughout tho
Nick Drake exists in a very specific musical space. I enjoyed this album, but I have no idea how to differentiate from his other works. Thankfully, he’s really talented!
Not my favourite Nick Drake album but it’s still just so good. His songwriting and voice are so unique and beautiful and listening to this just feels like putting on your favourite jumper and having a nice hot chocolate
Very nice album! I was working out so maybe missed on some lyrical genius… but it was great.
Nick Drake is probably my favorite artist I’ve discovered on this list. I think I like Pink Moon more, but this one is in the same vein, making for great easy listening or background music. Definitely something I’ll come back to while sipping coffee and easing into a Saturday morning.
17/10/24 Surprisingly enjoyed this. Way ahead its time.
I had heard the name Nick Drake before but had never listened-Iloved it.I read up on him - what a talent, and what a shame. He influenced so many, including Paul Weller (lovelovelove) I really enjoyed this album
I wasn’t a massive fan of Pink Moon but I actually enjoyed this and it’s boosted me to give Pink Moon another listen
MILF (man i love folk) 4/5
Maybe like a 3.5
Love Nick Drake and this is fantastic but just isn't as good as his other 2 projects. His worst is still better than most peoples best. 4.5/5 1. River Man 2. Saturday Sun 3. Cello song
Nice and slow
Good singer-songwriter. Clearly influenced the future. Nice soft background music
Just a lovely, if slightly melancholic folk album from one of the great 60s masters of the genre. Pink Moon and Bryter Layter may get all the press, but Five Leaves Left is just as good and it'll tell you where artists like Elliot Smith came from.
Glæder mig til vi skal høre albummet Pink Moon!
zero expectations. Really enjoyed it!
Really liked this.
This album is beautifully sung and played by an artist who had a very short life and by many accounts a very troubled life. It’s hard to listen to these wonderful songs without thinking about how the man’s life ended. For me a melancholy record made me quite sad upon initially listening. Nevertheless, I very much enjoyed this album, and I hope, if you’ve never heard it, you’ll give it a listen. https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-five-leaves-left-by?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Favorite Track: Saturday Sun
Calm atmosphere and nice violin in Day Done
Beautiful finger picked acoustic guitar melodies. Piano and orchestra as well. Softy sung tenor voice. Moody lyrics. Inspirational but in a subtle way. I get why his music may have been overlooked. It’s very understated. Too bad he was not more popular during his too short life. I’ve never heard him before. He was truly an artist. Added to favorites.
ThI’m s guy had a sad life and his music reflects that.
Wasn’t sure first time, but on a second listen I quite enjoyed this, especially and Three Hours and Day Is Done. Might be a bit generous, but this gets a 4,
Really liked this. A very pleasant way to spend 45 minutes. Simpsons: No
Gave this a second listen as I don't think a busy airport was the right setting for it first time round. Have listened to a different album before by him and loved it. This one was decent, not a 5 but still enjoyable.
Poignant folk songs, expertly put together 4*
Eftertänksamt, vackert. Gillar! Time Has Told Me är så bra, och sätter ton för resten av skivan.
Maybe it’s because I’m cynically depressed, but god damn, Nick Drake makes some damn good tunes. Sad boy music before it was a thing. Each album he had made had such insane atmosphere, a truly underrated artist of his time, and yet another tragic ending. I’m guessing this Nick Drake resurgence came during COVID, as before that he was mostly an afterthought. He seems to be a cult legend now. I really want to be sitting by a campfire alone at night right about now. Favs: Day is done, Mary Jane, Time has told me
Good moody folk
Pretty good. It’s not Pink Moon but I’m a big Nick Drake fan anyway so I loved this.
Sad, dreamy, pensive and sorrowful. It's nice to drive with and listen to in deep thought.
First time I heard Nick Drake, my Spotify kept trying to make me listen to Pink Moon and it really irritated me. Then when it stopped I missed it and begrudgingly accepted I actually really liked the song. Listening to this album, it's more of what I enjoy in Pink Moon
Pretty good, laid down album
Hdhehsh
For those (like me) who are only familiar with Drake's Pink Moon, Five Leaves Left is a revelation of Drake's breadth of work. Most obviously, it is a sonically distinct album, not only due to the the instrumentation (including string arrangements, piano, flute, cello, and marimbas) but also as a consequence of its production, which yields a brighter and sound. That having been said, I found several of the production choices to be dated and heavy handed. Certain choices -- most notably the string arrangements throughout and the unfortunate flute on The Thoughts of Mary Jane -- feel like a clumsy attempt at breaking through on AM radio. Yet, the crystal clear audio on Three Hours makes the track far more gorgeous than it would have been if it had been recorded for Pink Moon, and unlike Pink Moon, I can actually understand most of the lyrics to this album. Drake's songwriting feels more whimsical here. It is not without its moments of glum introspection, but the album is possessed by a hippie air, sometimes feeling like a cousin to Fairport Convention (in fact, Richard Thompson was a session musician on this album), other times reminiscent of Cat Stevens. Despite any misgivings about the album's overall aesthetic, listeners will be rewarded by pushing through to the closing track. Saturday Sun is a legitimate jazz tune, and it is a rare moment on the album where everything seems to have found its proper place. Without it, this might be only a three star album to me, but I believe it warrants a full star all to itself.
Ok
Muy bien, seguro con más oídas se volverá increíble.
4.5
It really does not sound as old as it is. Very good album. Time Has Told Me is beautiful.
Reminds me of Jim Croce. Absolutely love it.
Nearly timeless, beautiful use of guitar.
Great album. I specifically liked three tracks: Fruit Trees, Time Has Told Me, and Day Is Done. But the whole album is great.
While this doesn't resonate as much as Pink Moon, even when Nick Drake isn't blowing your hair back, he's still inarguably great.
More stripped down than Bryter Later but there are still plenty of parts with backing strings. I liked River Man, and Day Is Done is especially poignant, a beautiful mix of vocal melodies and acoustic instruments, all melding with the strings. Man In A Shed us another excellent song with the piano and bass taking center stage. I'm rating this lower than Bryter Later but it's an easy 4-star. Interested to hear Pink Moon when that comes up.
It's what Nick Drake does, done as well as he always does it.
p168. 1969. 4 stars. Startlingly good Brit folk. Vague echoes of the more melancholy tracks on Love's "Forever Changes", which ain't a bad thing. Point deducted for the occasional production lapse into saccharine.
Chill, moody, contemplative...
yes
4.5
Albumi #28, 24.08.2024 Nick Drake soittaa varsin mukavan kuuloista folk-musiikkia. "Five Leaves Left" on Draken debuuttialbumi. Maininnan saa loistavatunnelmainen kappale "River Man".
Mjög ljúf og góð
RIP Nick Drake. You would have loved Drake and Josh, which aired on Nick.
Really good album
This was very beautiful.
So good, so beautiful and calming.
Nick Drake just makes it all seem so effortless...
Good album but dreary in parts. Enjoyable all the same
Two Nick Drakes in three days, I ain’t complaining. Can now confirm I like him best unaccompanied, but this was another great one. Unreal that he went 3/3 at such a young age and in such a short amount of time.
Nick Drake. Well what can you say about him. Brother of actress Gabriella and member of the 27 club, and a tragic loss. For me his music and voice has a strange ethereal quality that just makes the worlds troubles drift away. Its such a shame it couldnt completely cure its creator who lost his personal battle depression. Ive been a fan ever since i first heard his voice. It's so gentle and soothing, the perfect listening material for those quiet relaxing moments. It is rare indeed that an artists work can be summed up with just one word, but Nick's can, BEAUTIFUL. I already possess this one though to be honest I prefer Bryter Layter. This is still a great album though. 9 out of 10 for me. So good, I just had to play it twice. But now I'm torn, 9 out of 10 should mean a 5, but for me 5 is perfection, and is this perfect if it's a 9? Mmmmm, I'll cogitate on this and let you know.
Los discos de Drake transmiten una cierta belleza tan sombría que produce escalofríos. Su temática explora el desamor, la mortalidad o la depresión con un halo de melancolía emocionante. Este, de 1969, fue álbum de debut y en el destacan canciones como "River Man", una poética reflexión sobre cómo la protagonista recurre al consejo del "hombre del río" para seguir el transcurso del río de la vida; "Time Has Told Me", introspectiva mirada a un futuro inquietante; "Three Hours", el tiempo que dura el viaje físico y espiritual de los protagonistas de la canción en busca de algo nuevo y una vida mejor; y "Thoughts of Mary Jane", casi una pastoral sobre una misteriosa mujer, espíritu libre cautivador. Pero por encima de todas las demás, la canción que más me gusta es "Day Is Done", reflexión sobre la inevitabilidad del paso del tiempo y la muerte.
drizzy taas listalla pörisee. onhan se ainutlaatuisen kuuloista yksinkertaisuutta.. singulaarinen talentti joka meni ohi lähes huomaamatta. jooh en itekkään huomannu että perkele TOINEN herralta albumi josta ilmeisesti tykkään vitusti.. ja tulossa ainaki yksi vielä huioihhhoihhhajaahahahhkkaaa (ei haittaa). taitaa huone hiljetä ja korvia alkaa pikkuhiljaa höröilemänpuolelle menemään kun kaveri alkaa kitaraa rämpyttämään. kyllä kaikki vaistoaa, milloin mestari tahtoo jälkeä jättää. moni ei tähän pysty, ei pysty tähän näin tähän pysty näin. ENÄÄN KOLME LEHTEÄ JÄLJELLÄ BTW! FYI BTW.. river man
You can really feel Nick Drake's pain in his voice and his lyrics. He had a short tragic life of self pain and isolation and in the late 60s, early 70s, the options for treatment were limited. I don't think anyone was really aware of the dangers of prescription drugs, nor were they really aware of other mental illness and how some drugs exacerbate those illnesses. I can't help but think, while listening to this album that Nick probably didn't know that taking more wouldn't make him feel better faster, or he may not have even remembered taking them. Poor dude, I'm glad he got recognition and praise eventually, even if he wasn't around to see it.
Beautiful and timeless — hard to believe it was made by a 21 year old in 1969!
remarkably relaxing but like, a bit twee for my tastes? i dunno i'm tired 8/10
Folksy, jazzy, and mellow. pretty good!
This man is SMOOTH. Love the folksy swing to it. He beat Joe Jackson to the punch almost ten years early too. I think there is a lot of unique instrumentation to this, big fan of the piano and percussion here. There are a couple of songs that feel a little uninspired but I think there are a lot of really deep and passionate songs on this one. Not a genre I would listen to often but I do appreciate his mastery of it.
I have heard this album before but it has been awhile. Didn’t get around to relistening but I remember it being very pleasant. Just gonna give it four stars but will relisten eventually.
I just love this man's music.
Finger style: The album
Tosi maukasta akustista settiä jousisoittimilla säestettynä. Tosi rentouttavaa ja osa haikeampia. Parhaat: Day Is Done, River Man, Three Hours, Saturday Sun
This is gorgeous. It's not my absolute favourite Nick Drake, but anything of his is good. I've listened to it before, and I'll listen to it again. Soft, introspective, evocative.
Simon and Garfunkel with 7.3% more testosterone
Nice mellow acoustic album. I can see why Nick Drake is credited with so much influence over several decades worth of acoustic/folk music.
Five Leaves Left is the first album from Nick Drake, British singer/songwriter. Drake's produced three albums during his short life. During his life, none of them achieved much commercial success and the critical reception was mixed, at best. In the decades since, the consensus about Drake's work, and this album, have changed considerable. The album is full of pretty, somber folk songs, performed by a man with a rich voice.
Nice quiet bit of acoustic guitar... I hadn't heard of Nick drake, but it is something to listen to in quiet moments..
Nick Drake is the GOAT singer/song writer. This isn't his best album, he had some developing to do, but it's a great indicator of things to come.
I want to like this more than I actually like it. Nice tone, great guitar work, just not very memorable songs.
Lovely
I didn't think I would dig it, but it's pretty good. Might have hit at the right time while I was working. I'll give it a 3.8ish
Less pop than the last one. Still good, just mellower.
Quite a pleasant way to spend my Monday morning, if not particularly unique. 8/10
8/10 - I do not know what it is about Nick Drake where the more I listen to it the significantly more I like his music. Like as the album goes on every song becomes great. I really compared this to the Joni Mitchell album since I feel like they are trying to fit the same niche and I think Nick Drake just does better on all accounts. His voice is nicer to listen to and his instrumentals are significantly better. Thoughts of Mary Jane and Man In A Shed both show his amazing instrumentals.
Nick has a fine vocal tune, but it seems that sometimes he can't sing and play along at the same time. The guitar lines are well worked. The orchestra fits well in the songs, giving it an extra boost.
80/100 1969. This could come out today and I wouldn't bat an eye. Incredible.
Such a funny experience having a focused listen of an album I’ve heard in passing for my whole life! Makes me think of Lentil Pie 🥧 Maybe nostalgia attached to my enjoyment, but music is all about that right? Feel like I’m out by a campfire in the woods with this one, with the light slowly fading. Favourite track: Time Has Told Me
I’d never heard of Nick Drake before. I admit my hopes weren’t high with this being an album from ‘69 in the UK, but, wow, it’s fantastic. It’s beautiful and timeless - the instrumentals really shine here, and the lyrics are lovely, too. So happy to have come across this. I’ve been feeling a bit burnt out after the past several albums, but this reminded me that there are still gems that make the endeavor worthwhile. Even though I’m shying away from giving a full 5 stars this time, I’ll definitely come back to this album and artist. Favorite tracks: River Man, Three Hours, Day is Done, Fruit Tree
I love Nick Drake. He’s an amazing songwriter. But this album isn’t quite 5-star for me. I actually don’t love all the arrangements - too much saccharine strings going on.
Liked this a lot. A Leonard Cohen, Simon and Garfunkel contemporary
Like most everyone I came to this retrospectively and it’s been hailed a classic. I can appreciate the art and the production and the wonderful musicians present but as a whole I don’t really connect with this album (only particular songs) so it gets 4/5 rather than the obligatory 5/5.
underbart mysigt 😍😍❤️ Verkligen fint från början till slut. Väldigt emotionellt och rörande, kommer nog lyssna mer Bästa låt: cello song
Ruhige Platte mit netten Lieder.
River man is one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard
Really great opening, captivating and soft. After two very aggressive sounding records this is a breath of fresh air.
I listened to this a few days ago and forgot to rate it. The first couple of songs were special, but it was fairly standard late 60's affair after that. Still, being fond of the era, I enjoyed it.
Really surprises me
Having been on the road and not able to listen to any of these albums for a couple weeks, I have about 15 days worth queued up and waiting for me. Looking over my list of upcoming albums I'm kind of dreading it because there are a few artists that I detest and a whole lot that I've never heard of. So today is the day to sit down to work while the deferred albums roll forth in the background. How bad can it be, right? And first up is Five Leaves Left by Nick Drake, who I'm not familiar with. And my first thought is "Wow, this is pretty good!" Enough that I had to go and find out when the album came out, and a little bit about the artist. Don't know how much my expectations (low, based on some of the others in the queue) played into it but I'm really digging this one! I think this is exactly why I signed up for 1001 Albums, and why I keep going even when there are stretches of albums I don't enjoy. This one is a gem.
The first time I heard of Nick Drake was on the serendipity movie soundtrack. It was a good song, but it didn’t quite grab me. This album I haven’t listened to up until this point. It was the perfect Sunday morning album. River Man and Three Hours were by far my standouts, though I enjoyed the entire album and plan to listen to this one again.
yeah i liked it but dont think i would ever deliberately listen to it over somethnig else
A bit less concise than Pink Moon, but still lush, sad, dreamy, beautiful rainy day music.
good
I would describe this as a doobedy album. Chill and nice for a very tired Friday morning
There is a beautiful, profound sadness to these songs, truly like a window to the soul. The beginning of an all-too-short career.
It's very beautiful.
Waanzinnige stem en echt prachtige nummers. Nick is daarin echt ongeëvenaard gebleken in de afgelopen decennia. Slechts een enkeling (Elliot Smith?) heeft iets vergelijkbaars op tape gekregen zoals Drake. Moet wel zeggen dat ik in de loop van de plaat een beetje week begon te worden en wat behoefte had aan iets wat die weekheid deed verdwijnen. Dat kost Drake een ster. 8/10 Highlights Niet genoeg gekeken naar titels van de losse songs. Zet maar wat moois in de Spotify lijst.
Strings softly whisper, Autumn leaves in twilight fall— Nick Drake's soul in song.
This album was way before its time. Timeless and still holds up to this day. No wonder he's had a resurgence in recent years. It's an album for a specific mood. Maybe the fact that I listened to this on a cold rainy New England day enhanced it. But it's a very well written album.
All his studio albums are on the list. This is the last one I got. I didn't like the other ones very much, but this one is absolutely great. Favorite song: river man
Nothing that made me drop my hat but overall inmaculate vibes. 3.5
A favourite
Very pretty! I love the instrumentation on this! I've never heard of Nick Drake before, but it seems like he has a serious cult following on here. I thought the vocals were just a bit monotonous in the beginning, but they eventually grew on me. 8/10 Would I listen again? Sure
5/17/24. Wow, never heard of this artist or album and was really impressed. Great folk songs with a lot of soul, and love the singer's voice. The choice of instrumentation outside the acoustic guitar was crucial to the great sounds of this one. Will definitely listen again and again.
8/10
Nice Folk Singer
Pressed play, and was pleasantly surprised to realize I had been thinking of Nick Cave when this popped up on the album of the day list. Still melancholy, but much more enjoyable to listen to than Cave.
Melancholy at its best with muted vocals and instrumentation conveying everything that makes you think about it after the music has been turned off
gorgeous, summery
Pretty good!
Peaceful, sweet, slow (almost a bit dreary) and dreamy. I want to hear this on a melancholy night again to better appreciate it.
A delightfully melancholic listen. 8/10
Really unique sound somewhere between chill, melancholy, and distressed. Can't say I've ever heard someone hold consonants and blend them into the instruments like that. No standout songs but a really enjoyable listen.
Musically I’d say it’s halfway between Bryter Later and Pink Moon, but in terms of my enjoyment it’s much closer to the latter. Which is to say, I enjoyed it - there are songs that are pretty, songs that are haunting, and songs that are pretty haunting whilst also being hauntingly pretty. And with that, I guess my crash course in the music of Nick Drake is complete. I started out a sceptic and became an admirer. Thanks, generator!
8/10
This is some really calming stuff and it's clear to see why it was kind of dismissed upon release--it's so subtle.
WOW! I loved this so much. The beginning was a little slow, but every song after that had a fun surprise I wasn’t expecting. The orchestration is fantastic and the mixing is beautiful, especially for this time period. I would go with 4.5 if I could, but overall absolutely fantastic.
3.5 but rounding up
I wasnt in love with this nick drake album the first time through, but the second time (and after learning it was a debut) album it really opened up for me. Unsurprisingly, the tracks with piano were the ones I liked the best :)
Felt like a Man in a Shed when I listened to this for Three Hours, but now the Day Is Done
Beautiful album with Nick Drake's signature acoustic sound and masterful song writing. Maybe not the most exciting album you'll hear, but certainly one of the most soothing. Some of my favorite tracks include "Thoughts Of Mary Jane", "Time Has Told Me", "Way To Blue" and "Day Is Done"
I had never heard of Nick Drake before but his solemn music and reading his story made me very sad. It's a shame he wasn't able to see how people appreciated his music after his passing. Music that can evoke such emotion is something that I feel is undervalued in our world and Nick does it very well on this album.
er orðinn algerlega seldur á nick drake eftir áratuga efasemdir. hlusta aftur og meira.
Exquisite
Gentle but haunting. Guitar play is raw and bright - folkier than the 70s albums.
7/10 Second ND album, liked both and get why he’s influential Brilliant voice, lovely tone, album conveys mood very well Folky gentle music, really kicks in when some of the orchestration joins But this is fairly consistent or monotone in style, so is held back from excellence as it didn’t thrill me Best: River Man
I thought this was an interesting album. Not something I would likely listen to on a regular basis. The instrumentation was beautiful. His voice so pained.
Really calm, soothing tunes. I enjoy the acoustic guitar, clean bass, and singing style. Quite nice overall!
Relaxing album, could fall asleep to it. Not recommended for driving.
Delightful melodies.
7/10 This is a rainy day album. drinking tea and putting you feet up. no stand out tracks, just nice mellow musings on the color gray. 4-9-2024
Time Has Told Me // Riverman // Man In A Shed // Saturday Sun
4.5. Absolute classic
chill and peaceful and luckily i liked it enough that the lack of variety was fine.
I liked some of this album - it was very mellow.
Very beautiful and somber
The kind of album you need to sit and just listen to, it’s not background music. You have to listen to the lyrics and let the gentle sadness and emotions wash over you.
Solid but no Pink Moon. Highlight: River Man
I really liked this. It felt a lot older than it was. I could hear some Jim Croce influences even. This is a great album to keep in mind if I need something just happening in the background.
I think this is a fine album, but not quite on the same level as his other two albums. Some great songwriting on here though, even if it is a little dreary.
One of the greatest "what if he had a chance at a full life"'s in music history. The 27 club gets a lot of attention, but the 26 club has taken its share of beautiful musicians from us as well. Nick Drake, Otis Redding, and Graham Parson all had their careers cut way too short. This is in my opinion, Drake's third best album, which unfortunately makes it his worst as well. But I prefer third best, because they are all amazing. Just a great fucking songwriter and musician. Fantastic melodic folk. Great listen!
Fine
This made me appreciate nick drake. I will certainly come back to his albums so this is more of a placeholder score. Hauntingly beautiful!
4.3
chill but kinda depressing
Nick Drake is one of those artists I loved from the first listen. Lots of great songs here ("River Man" is just a classic) and a few corny ones.
Enjoyed it quite a bit as far as music, lyrics and his voice. I’ve heard his songs before but I enjoyed the album and understanding that this is also his first album. I will listen to it more times.