Reviews (page 9 of 15)
I have a Nick Drake greatest hits so I know a few of these songs very well and its a lovely melodic listen. I had not realised what a troubled and shortened life he had.
Too similar of an album. Decent background music. Decent songwriting. The best composition is Man In A Shed
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"
Well that didn't take long. Only about 10 albums since the last Nick Drake masterpiece. I will admit this is my least favorite of the three. I think I like Bryter Layter the most. It sets a great mood, but maybe not as many highs or songs where I absolutely gush about it. Or maybe some of them - Time has Told Me, River Man, Three Hours, Way to Blue - grab me initially but can't quite hold me there the whole time. The ones where I was fully captivated were Cello Song (great work Clare Lowther, but also great percussions and Drake guitar) and Saturday Sun (love Drake's piano work). Still, when I listen to all three albums together, I am enamored with them all. So maybe closer to a 4 than a 5 but I don't care, I'm rounding up because I just love this guy.
All three studio albums released during his lifetime are on the 1001, all three are 5's for me. Pink Moon is definitely my favorite by far, but I could listen to all three albums over and over. This is his debut album and it's amazing how fully realized his sound is right from the start. While I love the sparseness of Pink Moon, the additional musicians on this album give it a unique character. River Man is the outstanding track here - the strings are just plain gorgeous. But, above all is Nick Drake's plaintive voice and interesting guitar patterns. He's the archetype for depressed singer-songwriters for decades to come, but words like beautiful and gorgeous describe his music in ways many other songwriters never achieve. Other favorites include Three Hours, Day Is Done, 'Cello Song (love this song - excellent fingerpicking guitar, awesome cello, upright bass, and congas, great lyrics - "And if one day you should see me in the crowd / Lend a hand and lift me to your place in the cloud"), Man in a Shed (nice jazzy track).
En av mina två Nick Drake-skivor.
Hur har jag kunnat missa detta. Precis min smak. Vackra akustiska gitarrer, fina melodier både sången och flöjt med mera. Fem!
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
this has very quickly become very dear to me
Solid, melancholy, but some parts soar above others
ok
3.5 My lowest Nick yet - felt weird for him to have songs that were over 5 minutes
River Man is very pretty with strings. All in all a pretty and chill album.
Really good stuff. Pretty timeless sounding.
Was kind of disappointed in this one!! I really enjoyed his other albums, but this one seemed so boring in comparison? Wasn't very memorable sadly 3 ⭐️
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
I really love listening to Nick Drake. Great music.
Quite lovely
Not really digging it
Lovely!
Ecco, questo ce lo vedo ad ascoltarmelo in macchina
Reminds me of a very chilled out version of Cat Stevens. Liking the folk rock and orchestral arrangements. Deep brooding lyrics.
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.
It is an absolute tragedy that Nick Drake only made three albums. He was a phenomenal talent who came out of the gate fully formed. This one really got to me. It pains me to think about what we all missed out on.
perfect music for staring wistfully out of a train window passing through new england in early december…nick drake’s music is too lovely and tragic to write about in words i think. he was never someone made for this world. fav tracks: time has told me; cello song: man in a shed; day is done; saturday sun; river man
I really really loved that. It was so beautiful and did not feel sixty years old at all; if someone sent me this and said it was from sometime in the last ten years I would believe them. I liked that there was some variety in the instrumentation too; after the first few songs of arrangements predominantly featuring acoustic guitar, I was surprised to hear an orchestral piece next. I liked the continued use of other orchestra instruments over the acoustic guitar throughout the rest of the album, and the final piano-heavy song really got me…I’m a sucker for that kind of arrangement and it felt like a nice endcap to an album with such rich instrumentation. I wish I could see this album performed live. I have never listened to him until now but I definitely want to relisten to this and hear his other albums now. Fav tracks: Time Has Told Me, River Man, Man In A Shed, Saturday Sun
so sad and beautiful
Meh
Durchschnittlich.
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
I enjoyed this
I like this Nick Drake more than the last one which was Pink Moon. I think Pink Moon was mostly just guitar playing and singing where this one has so much more depth instrumentally. The guitar is very meditative and the strings, and winds come in and really give things flavor. I also love the bongo drums in it. The songwriting is good and Nick Drake's voice is very soothing. Softer music hasn't been grabbing my attention as much lately but this one actually really caught me and I was really engaged with it. It was both very relaxing and interesting. This is one that I will for sure be revisiting. Five stars for Five Leaves (left).
Its definitely Nick Drake. I love his influence on all of the indie folk music that I grew up with: Elliot Smith, Bright Eyes, The Shins. This is not his best album, but its good and chill and exactly what you expect. I just don't know if we can get better than Pink Moon.
Ok
Quiet
Thank you 1001 Albums, this was a discovery for me. I'm not much into folk (any more) but this is an amazing album and it goes beyond your typical singer-songwriter material. Some of the accompaniments (esp. like the cello) are great as is the musicianship generally. Nick Drakes' vocal and lyrics are subdued but that is entirely in keeping with the album... and with wis tragic life and death a few years after this album was made.
No sé si es calma o que pero suele acompañarme
Relaxing, but not all that interesting.
Como una persona que ama la tranquilidad de la mañana es un buen álbum para acompañarla. Bastante monótono por momentos, pero hay letras de algunas canciones que lograron cautivarme. Destaco la primera y la ultima.
Nick Drake is awesome
Can't handle how perfect this is.
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.
Happily surprised. Warm and homey. 7/10
As with the previous Drake: I get it, don't love it.
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.
Bored me
Decent, love the backing band, but suffers from being one dimension... Basically it's one big depressive song
Really good. Amazing orchestrals
He’s on to something
I just love Nick Drake and could listen to him every day.
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.
Again with the Nick Drake
This is again on the side of folk music I don’t care for. It’s not the darker themes, or the lyricism. It’s the way that the singing/lyrics feel disconnected from the music as a whole. There’s an interesting album here, I just wish the people who weren’t Nick Drake got some mention, since they were doing the more interesting things.
Boring
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.
Surprisingly good, never heard of this artist before but everything on here was pretty good. Middling 3.
It's rare that I give a 5 star rating but this is close to a perfect album by an artist who died far too young.
It’s not really my place to criticize something that’s proven to be so foundational to music today. I understand all the reasons this is a classic. It’s a delicate, spacious, and beautifully recorded album that doesn't personally have a place in my day to day listening. To be perfectly honest and not to detract from it in any way, I just prefer Bitches Brew more. It’s clear why this has stood the test of time and on the right listen could be life altering. It should probably be a 5/5, but I’m giving it a 4.5/5 just based on my personal tastes.
Five Leaves Left opens with a style that instantly feels introspective, and as I started listening, I was struck by how much of Nick Drake’s vocal approach seems to have influenced artists like Eddie Vedder. Not necessarily relevant to this album on its own, but it added an interesting layer of context for me. Drake’s voice, while pleasant, has a certain detached quality that I found difficult to fully engage with. It has a drifting, somewhat inconsequential tone, which makes me shift my focus to the guitar. The guitar work has a similar quality—it’s delicate and atmospheric but not exactly gripping, leading me into this loop of refocusing from voice to guitar and back again. Oddly, listening to both together as a whole doesn’t quite resolve this feeling of drifting. There are highlights, though, where the arrangements feel more layered. For example, Way to Blue has a string arrangement that elevates the song, giving it a fuller, richer sound. The word that kept coming to mind as I listened was “meandering.” The album feels like a one-sided, stream-of-consciousness conversation, and while this has a certain charm, it also feels unfocused at times. As a debut, Five Leaves Left hints at ideas that could be refined, and perhaps with his next two albums, Drake will bring more definition to his style. I’m curious to see if his later work will add to my impression of him as an artist. Standout Song: Way to Blue Score: 2/5
Well I certainly wasn’t planning on listening to Nick Drake again so soon, but I guess this is what the 1001 albums gods have given me. I’d say this album is fairly indistinguishable from Bryter Layter, maybe a little bit darker in both tone and lyricism, but it’s certainly not distinctly different. More beautiful fingerpicking, simple lyricism, almost monotonous vocal delivery. It’s a pretty album, no doubt, but it doesn’t really invoke anything in me. Even from song to song it has this overarching sameness that I don’t find appealing. I’d probably be more apt to give this album a more favourable review if I hadn’t just listened to and reviewed the album he released directly after this one. I would say his music is better enjoyed in smaller doses. Whether or not that makes for a fair review is unclear, but it’s my review so I can make the rules. 3 stars.
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
Nice but not his best
Enjoyed it!
Oh that was kind of nice, not bad
Super mellow, not unpleasant
A stone cold classic and contains, in Saturday Sun, a regular Desert Island Disc contender. Comes close even to being saved from the waves. Love it.
Folk classic!
Maybe one of the best albums I never heard before on this list so far.
Too slow
Kinda boring but not bad
Some of the music was ok for easy listening. The vocals added nothing.
This just isn’t the type of music I like.
My feeling this one today, surprised this so the 2nd Nick Drake album on the list here. Appreciate that this is influential, but I enjoyed that later album a bit more.
Kinda gas actually. Mellow acoustic guitar with dramatic orchestral bits mixed in. A few duds throughout tho
3.9
Didn't even make me want to continue listening to it after 2 songs
Hey, is this Burt Jansch?
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!
Meh
It's literal poems being recited with a little chant and a guitar tune. That being said, it's too soft and uneventful for me, not my thing at all. I did look into Nick Drake's other songs and I think his other albums are better, I liked the Northern Sky song in his second album.
Meh
Nice album, which gets better as you go through it. The songs can get a little samey, but some fun lyrics in there accompanied by some nice fingerstyle guitar. Not bad, but I didn’t find it particularly standout.
I didn't find Nick Drake's album particularly impressive. The music was quite nice and I think nice is really nice. (I think the saying "Nice is the little sister of shit" is shit :-)) But that's all it is. I won't listen to the album again on purpose, but I won't switch it off when I get to it. 3/5
Pleasant record. This is a great example of an album I wish I had the time to listen to a second or third time as I suspect my admiration would grow. But for now it’s going to be labelled as “good.” 3/5
This was a really melancholy listen. I gave it two listens and instead of picking out songs or instruments I more just got his with the feeling the entire way through. Really well done and put together. Good to have on the list but his other albums are stronger.
This has a nice sound and has it's moments. I like the guitar playing. I'm not feeling the vocals. Fine background music.
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 lovely.
I don’t get it and I feel so bad about it. I love Pink Moon and yet I can’t get into either Bryter Layter or this one and I cannot put my finger on the reason why. It’s all objectively good, the guitar playing is amazing, the production is rich and beautiful, I love the melancholy and yet.. it just doesn’t click for me. Something’s missing and the fact that I cannot tell why frustrates me. 3.5/5
Absolutely stunning record. One of my favorites and he is just a wizard songwriter and guitar player
Very nice album! I was working out so maybe missed on some lyrical genius… but it was great.
nothing special. going to be honest, i really do like the acoustic guitar on this album. but, i can't really do much more with it. just sounds like someone mumbling their way through. not the worst thing i have heard through here... but wouldnt have it on in rotation again
Nick Drake’s style is okay, but it’s a little bit gloomy and slow for me. That being said I liked some of the melodies, and the lyrics seem poetic and meaningful. There is also a lot of “orchestral” music (violin etc.) to back up the guitar and his singing. I’m wondering whether he wrote and played all of this himself as well.
I was super hopefully after hearing those first acoustic chords and his voice in the first song but then my excitement started to wane. It’s like each song would start really well then by the end, it would just lose my interest. I really liked his voice though and Cello Song.
Love Nick Drake! This album doesn’t have any of my favorites from him on it, but I still enjoyed it. For this style of music, I actually prefer it to just be the guitar and singing. The background music didn’t age well in my opinion and takes me out of the “emo singer/guitarist songwriter” vibe. I do love his songwriter and general mood. Very melancholy and nice, especially with his story in mind.
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.
There's an alternate timeline where Spencer is dying in a Myrtle Beach condo closet after smoking K2, and rather than John Mayer saving him, it's Nick Drake. I want to play this album as my toddlers bedtime lullaby's. I honestly couldn't tell you any of the lyrics, but the music and his voice are so soft and sweet, I could listen to it all day long.
I would say this album is good but not great. I am also familiar with Nick Drake's album Pink Moon, and I have to say that album is much better. There's nothing specifically wrong with this, but I don't find it particularly memorable. It sounds a lot like Donovan, and maybe that's why I don't like it - it sounds more like Nick Drake trying to sound like Donovan than himself, which is how he sounds on Pink Moon. I would listen to this album again, but I would definitely choose Pink Moon first.
Pleasant listening, but no song stands out - for any reason. Altogether not at all exciting. Probably background music.
Jose Gonzalez type folk. Droning, monotone voice with barebones guitar and maybe a few other instruments strewn in. The music is of course intentional but feels void to me. It’s not my go to mellow, just doesn’t light the candle. I found some enjoyable songs, but my emotional trigger never moved.
Good to see you again, Mr. Drake. I was previously exposed to his second album "Bryter Layter" thanks to this list, so getting the opportunity to listen to his debut should be interesting and hopefully enlightening. It's a pretty subdued debut to be honest, but I only have two of Drake's albums to work off of for reference. The songwriting seeds were certainly planted here, though. Right out of the gate you can tell that the then young Nick Drake had a way with words and never wasted a moment on each track. This album specifically finds its legs later on after a bit of a slow start. Almost like it's opening up to the listener after getting comfortable. I've said it before and I'll say it again, it's a shame that we lost Nick Drake so young. Looking forward to getting his third and final album, whenever that may be.
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
Ethereal...and I'd visit again when I need a score for a contemplative day.
This is a debut album by a 21 year old kid but it has a world weary quality that I struggle to grasp even now. His music exists both of a time and outside of any particular space. Definitely not upbeat but it never gets too ponderous. In addition to finding his voice at such a young age, the songwriting is singular and presented with exquisite production. Cello Song is an all time fave for me but about half this album are true classics. Always a treat to spend some time with mr drake.
No major catchy standouts, but I did thoroughly enjoy listening to this album. A super beautiful and mellow listen, will definetly revisit this album and others by Nick Drake.
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
Too slow
MILF (man i love folk) 4/5
I’m old enough to remember when Tipper Gore was leading rants that heavy metal albums needed warning labels because they put teens at risk for suicide. Meanwhile, this album was sitting there all the while, spreading its despair. Starts off slow, with the first three songs being a similar folky style. But then he starts mixing things up. Musically it becomes more intricate. I’m not a huge fan of his voice, which is a bit monotone and drags down an already low-energy album. He knew how to set a mood and had immense songwriting talent, but it’s the kind of album I can appreciate but not truly enjoy.
Maybe like a 3.5
Didn't like this one as much as Bryter Layter. A bit more one dimensional than his next album.
I didn't have high hopes going into it, but it turned out to be a pretty decent easy listening album. Would I seek it as as a primary listen? Probably not, but I wouldn't object to it being on.
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
not my genre, skimmed it; 0 rating
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.
kan godt lide det men måske på forkert dag på ugen - for langsom om en fredag
Glæder mig til vi skal høre albummet Pink Moon!
Slow and melancholic in an enjoyable way, but also a bit boring to the point where I forgot to really listen to a lot of the songs and therefore missed the deeper meaning Standouts Riverman Way to Blue 3/5
zero expectations. Really enjoyed it!
Really liked this.
So dreadfully boring
un pò strascinato..
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
# Album Name: Five Leaves Left # Artist: Nick Drake # Rating: 3/5 # Comments: This is my third Nick Drake album. I have to admit, he has been one of those gems that you find in this list. His last two albums were good. For a first album this is a very dark and bleary album. Nick's voice is as expected throughout. Good use of strings in river man. Three hours, theres some great finger picking and bass in this one. Overall, a decent introduction to nick Drake. Definitely the weakest of his three albums imo but its a decent listen with some good melodies. The drearyness just seems to be his style. # Top Tunes: River man / three hours / saturday sun. # Would I listen to it again? Yes.
Favorite Track: Saturday Sun
5/5
Calm atmosphere and nice violin in Day Done
Solid, low key. Not a favorite.
Rustige muziek, fijn geluid
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.
Been a fan of 'Pink Moon' for a minute now, never realized it came out in the 70s until I read up a bit more on Mr. Drake. Nice and soothing, like most good folk.
I have tried with Nick Drake a bunch of times and he just doesn’t click for me. I don’t think he’s bad, but for some reason I just don’t enjoy listening to his albums. I like a few of his songs, but most of them - I don’t dislike - but also don’t really particularly enjoy. I think he belongs on this list but he’s just not my cup of wistful, calming, melancholic tea.
Nick Hornby, the writer in one of his novels, said you could always tell a singer who would commit suicide from his songs. He cited Nick Drake. I love this album. Its just beautiful music. Whether complex acoustic guitar or the highly effective lush strings, the misoc complements Drake's voive so well. melncholic but beautiful.
ThI’m s guy had a sad life and his music reflects that.
Beautiful and sad.
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.
didn't hate it. this style of music is a bit slow for me. could see this sort of music being used in the background of a film. It might have been higher if I had the time for a second listen but for now it gets a 3
1 listen, gut reaction, 5 stars.
I reviewed "Pink Moon" recently. As mentioned previously, he's a name I've heard over the years, usually some rockstar complimenting him on songwriting or a brilliant album, but I've never really listened to anything he's done. Must be a musician thing, I don't find anything compelling about him. This album is super mellow like "Pink Moon", his voice is more pleasant than what I know loosely from his Bad Seeds days. I get some of that early 70's California singer/songwriter vibe. Again, nothing mind-blowing or groundbreaking but enjoyable. I damn near fell asleep during "River Man" and "Three Hours", snorefest! I can't hear his influence in any other artist and there are zero hits or memorable songs on this entire album. Honestly, I was bored out of my skull, every song is as dreary as the one before it. I am glad I had an opportunity to get introduced to older ND, but not sure I'd include this or anything else he does in a true Top 1001 list.
Low key
Phenomenal and extremely underrated.
Excellent Album. Love the vibe and the excellent instrumentals! 'Day is Done', 'Cello Song', and 'The Thoughts of Mary Jane' were highlights for me!
I want to like Nick Drake, but he kind of just bores me. This is the second album from him I’ve gotten on here and I am just not interested in anymore. Which stinks because I’m sure Pink Moon is coming at some point.
Poignant folk songs, expertly put together 4*
Sitting in a cafe that has an open mike/live band. Never heard of the guy. That was good.
They rock! They are the kinks, enough said.
What I’m hearing is depressing hippie music so far. 3 songs in. Nice guitar playing. Not big on the voice. Good lyrical story telling. Way to Blue sort of shook this album from its monotone downfall but just musically. There’s still that one tone, weak note carrying vocal Is Nick Drake a poet turned singer? If not, he should have taken that route. That makes his lack of vocal range more acceptable. I don’t see the appeal with this. Maybe as an instrumental album it could have some standing with me. I’m sure this is a critically acclaimed album, hell, I recognize the album cover. It’s just not ear hole pleasing for me. Choice cut: Day is Done
What a perfect record to be assigned on October 1st. This is perfect autumnal melancholia
I smiled when I saw this assignment. Man, I love this album. Five Leaves Left is such a vibe. It’s the perfect album for a cozy, gloomy autumn day. It’s folk music, but it’s so much more than that. His voice is so smooth and mesmerizing, the lyrics of each song paint a picture, and the guitar work is great. They’re fairly simple songs, but the accompanying orchestrations by Fairport Convention (who I also love) are gorgeous and give the album a cinematic scope. It gets quite heavy and dark, but it's always beautiful. There’s definitely a cohesive sound to this album, which some people might find repetitive, but there’s so much detail put into these songs. There are country flourishes, soul ballads, orchestral dirges, even a jazzy mid-tempo song — there’s something different that stands out about each one. And the way the music is used to enhance the emotion you feel while listening to it is genius. It’s astounding that Drake was able to achieve this at 21 with his debut album. I also love Pink Moon, but I think this is his best work from a tragically short career. Highlights: Three Hours, Way to Blue, Day Is Done, Cello Song, Fruit Tree 5/5
Not something I'd usually go for, so wasn't sure what to expect. Overall i didn't think it was great but a couple of songs stood out to me: saturday sun and Day is done. 4/10
Eftertänksamt, vackert. Gillar! Time Has Told Me är så bra, och sätter ton för resten av skivan.
Albumet är som så många konstverk i kommunhus. Då beskedlig och timid att den inte lämnar något intryck alls.
I don't know that I could listen to this frequently but when I did, I would enjoy it. Drake's voice is very soothing and his music is relaxing and mellow. His music sounds great when produced with strings or other instruments but it would sound just as good if not better if it were just Drake singing accompanied by his guitar. 4.5/5
Not to bad for folk music.
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
I listened to this album as I was watching a soccer game and it made me thnk about the culture clash happening on the field, Colombia, Italy, Dominican Republic, and all while taking video and listening to this. Felt very samey in the back half but I like his vocals and quirky lyrics its a 2 though
Good moody folk
Pretty good. It’s not Pink Moon but I’m a big Nick Drake fan anyway so I loved this.
Nice
Really enjoyed 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
A bit rougher than his later two albums, but still an incredibly solid album and the start of a legendary discography from an incredible artist gone too soon.
I liked this one less than his other albums, I think.
beautiful, quiet, reflective folk album
usually I have a lot to say on my opinions. this time I got nothing.
nice sound, feels like the perfect soundtrack to a road trip. not typically the tone of music i go for, but lovely
I love u Nick drake im sorry I thought you were a 20teens indie boy
Chill coffee shop acoustics, pretty good!
Meh
Perfect.
Pretty good, laid down album
A little too slow and same sounding for me. It all had a kind of sad and low energy vibe. Lyrics seemed like they could be good but I was struggling to pay attention. 4/10
I’m glad that this exists for the people who are into it. Not really my thing, but way better than similar sounding albums that aren’t my thing.
Hdhehsh
Wasn’t too bad, song writing was really good and loved his voice. Solid 2 star album for me
A pretty good album, I liked the songs River Man and Way to Blue.
Great one gone to see that river man
+4
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.
Nunca imaginei que fosse pegar um folk indie com uma pegada calma num álbum tão antigo.
Ok
V boring
I did not know Nick Drake, so this is a good discovery. Liked the songwriting.
I like the emotional instrumental and I'm generally a fan of singer-songwriter genre. It's a nice album to work with in the background
Very mellow music - good for a wind down
Some good songs, especially Way to Blue and Day is Done, but mostly I was bored throughout the album. The songs drag on too long, whereas the two aforementioned are 2:30 and 3:05.
Muy bien, seguro con más oídas se volverá increíble.
4.5
睡得很香
It really does not sound as old as it is. Very good album. Time Has Told Me is beautiful.
60’s
giving Neil young
Reminds me of Jim Croce. Absolutely love it.
Nearly timeless, beautiful use of guitar.
Incredible songwriting. Incredible album. A voice lost way too soon. I immediately went to re-listen to his other albums and bawled my eyes out.
3/5
I only discovered Nick Drake a few years ago. I really enjoy his style of music. Richard Thompson's playing on this is so good I had to look up who it was. It's too melancholy to be everyday listening, but if you're in the mood it's brilliant.
Great album. I specifically liked three tracks: Fruit Trees, Time Has Told Me, and Day Is Done. But the whole album is great.
There are a few undoubtedly great songs on this, but also a number that fell flat for me, incomparison to Pink Moon.
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.
Classic Nick Drake
If I were a heartless monster I might say, “No wonder Nick Drake chose to take his own life. It was the only way he could escape his music.” That is terrible so I take it back, of course, but I admit it made me giggle.
Slow
The first album of introspection and melancholy from Nick Drake. Possibly his best one, but seriously, you can't go wrong with any of them. Good album for nursing a heartbreak. I especially love "River Man" and "Saturday Sun."
Classic
Nick Drake is surprisingly full with classical influences
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.
Too croony soft for me
Amazing guitar playing Amazing production Amazing Lyrics Amazing album
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...
I'd never heard of Nick Drake and didn't know what to expect. To say I'm glad this album is on here is an understatement. What a fantastic listen. His guitar skills are incredible and he keeps the music within his range. This reminded me of listening to Dave Matthews like at Radio City, one of my favorite albums. I will definitely come back to this one. I also thought it improved as it went on and really hit it's stride in the final 3 songs.
yes
Haunting and gorgeous.
Songs are a bit slow and depressing. 3/5
4.5
Eh. Not too bad but a little samey.
I was initially intrigued by 'River Man' and how epic it felt, but the the rest of the album was small cute calm songs. Not in any way unpleasant, but also a bit samey and the tracks blended together quite a bit for me in the end Standouts River Man 3/5
- Ich habe Nick Drake über dieses Projekt hier kennengelernt; noch in der Solo-Zeit hat mir der Generator Bryter Lyter ausgespuckt und war hin weg. Seitdem bin ich absoluter Fan - Es ist von seinem leider sehr kurzen Output nicht sein Lieblingswerk, trotzdem sind die wenigen Sachen, die er produziert hat, ausnahmslos großartig - Als sein erstes Album ist es lustigerweise finde ich das vielseitigste; spätere sind doch etwas minimalistischer - absolute zeitloser Singer-Songrwriter Folk. Einfach toll 4,5/5
- arsch entspannt 3/5
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".
Like every other Nick Drake album
Ooof. Slow and somber.
Mjög ljúf og góð
5/5
Not challenging, unoffensive but very pleasant. This music is a cut above the usual milquetoast, boring 60s crap that infests this list, but I will likely never listen to it ever again.
RIP Nick Drake. You would have loved Drake and Josh, which aired on Nick.
Really good album
Had some songs I would listen to again
Not my type of music. I like the playing on the album but it is too repetitive. Nick Drake has an ok voice but not a lot of range. It makes the music rather boring to me.
Love him
This was very beautiful.
So good, so beautiful and calming.
Oddly enough I have been thinking about this guy recently for some reason and been meaning to revisit the last one from this list. This record seems to be more of the same - perhaps more accompanying instruments than the last one - I am not sure. Anyway I am drawn in. I think I will listen to this and previous often and actually pay close attention to the lyrics.
Not my style but interesting.
But elevatorish
This is just boring sleep inducing music. Just lacking in personality. The UK really thinks they're musicians are way better than they actually are.
Nick Drake just makes it all seem so effortless...
Good album but dreary in parts. Enjoyable all the same
If I could give an album 6 out of 5 I would. This and Nick's other work did literally change my outlook on music in the mid 90s and have rarely left my listening lists since then. Way to Blue in particular has, since then, been one of my all time favourite songs.
Had never heard of this artist until today and I listened to all 3 of his albums. An absolute hidden gem to me and one I’ll be adding to my regular playlist.
Looks like it's Nick Drake week. Is it a sign that fall will come early this year? My comparison to Bert Jansch in the last one fits more here than there, with some more traditional guitar songs. Would guess Man In A Shed had some Jansch influence. Arrangements again sometimes a little distracting, but less so than on Bryter Layter, they're still fine, and some of them work really well with the guitar. I don't think some of these songs would hold up that well solo anyway. Wild to think about being so young making this, very cool to bring a fellow student friend to do the arrangements when the established guys embellished too much. The list is messing with me, saying "here's another Nick Drake album, don't you wish there was more variety on them, don't you wish there was less flute, surely you could rate this one 4 stars?" so it can hit me with another fucking Elvis Costello album and have me regret it. Fuck off list. 5 stars. music: appreciated. (⌐■_■)
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.
So boring
It was OK, maybe a bit too hippyish for my liking. Great use of instruments, with a cello and a guitar. I wasn't a fan of his voice. I prefer his sister, Gabrielle's and she doesn't even sing.
Jomen för fan. Duger till vardags.
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.
01) Time Has Told Me - 6,0 02) River Man - 6,5 03) Three Hours - 6,0 04) Way to Blue - 5,0 05) Day Is Done - 5,5 06) Cello Song - 5,5 07) The Thoughts of Mary Jane - 6,0 08) Man in a Shed - 5,5 09) Fruit Tree - 5,0 10) Saturday Sun - 5,5 TOTAL: 5,65 (57/100) Current ranking: 228/270 Boooriiing!!!
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
Espetacular
..
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
3.5 stars
Like the last one, it’s easy listening
Again, pleasant sounds throughout & some nice guitar playing. Nothing really stirring my soul though. I did like the final track for it's jazzy arrangement, a bit of a departure from the rest of the record.
It's weird because Pink Moon is one of my favorite albums, but I just can't get into this one. I almost feel like I'm giving it a 3/5 just on the strength of Pink Moon. But there was really interesting guitar and his voice is beautiful.
Kinda Meh, a fine album nothing special
Folksy, jazzy, and mellow. pretty good!
Soul crushing, heartbreaking, tear jerking, and impossibly smooth blend of folk and jazz. Nick Drake is a mastermind, and gone too soon.
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.
Not my cup of tea.
Pliisua taustamusiikkia.
This album felt like taking a sedative, in a good way
I absolutely loved Pink Moon, so I was looking forward to this. I was incredibly bored the whole time. It's not bad, it's just boring.
Stunning
love his voice
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.
Pure beauty, Minimal, yet so deep. Listening to this album while reading Nick Drake's Wikipedia page threw me in a weird, hard-to-describe state. It felt dark, somewhat alienating. A delicate way 'being', however maybe this is necessary so that through it one might appreciate life's few charms. I was torn between a 4/5 or 5/5, but I guess I'll go with a 5 for the sake of unexpectedness and guitar melodies with alternate tunings.
Simon and Garfunkel with 7.3% more testosterone
Previously rated: Bryter Layter (2/5) ********************** I just heard my first Nick Drake two days ago. It was not quite a 3. Let's see if he has grown on me in that time. No, no he hasn't. This album has less of everything except his annoying singing and his admittedly good acoustic guitar playing. Less orchestration, less jazzy stuff. The only song I thought was even decent was the last track, Saturday Sun.
3 just for River Man
Is it as good as Bryter Later? for me, absolutely not. Is it a 5* masterpiece? For me, absolutely. Nick Drake is a joy
Nice mellow acoustic album. I can see why Nick Drake is credited with so much influence over several decades worth of acoustic/folk music.
3 stars
Pretty but nothing special
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.
The most forgettable album so far. I listened to it, some of it twice. I couldn't even tell you what it sounded like.
I think this is the fourth Nick Cave album that I've listened to on the list. Not really sure why there have been that many but this one at least deserved to be there.
Not my type at all. I guess the songs were all in the same vibe but it honestly felt like listening to the same song for 40 minutes. Would be perfect to fall asleep to tho Favorite : Last one