Pink Moon

“Pink Moon” by Nick Drake (1972) First time listening. An hour’s worth of music in a 28-minute recording. That is, 28 minutes listening and 32 minutes thinking about what I just heard. Musically spare, simple melodies, and gentle folk/jazz chord progressions. Virtually no backing instruments, and hardly any need for mixing, but some of the finest recording of accompanying acoustic guitar I’ve ever heard. Vocals are airy, weak, and withdrawn, with clipped phrase endings, a likely accommodation to limited control. But this underperformance is fitting for each song. This is not entertainment. Drake is putting his world on tape, inviting us in, take it or leave it. Very pleasant, resonant, and clean acoustic guitar, with some stumbles and drops in tempo, but otherwise very well played. Objectionable fret buzzing on “Know” (which cries out for backing instrumentals), but otherwise first rate. The poetry in the lyrics is generally of good quality, but it’s tragically underdeveloped (exceptions: “Things Behind the Sun” and “Parasite”). Drake successfully evokes a symbolic image, points the listener in a certain direction, but then leaves him/her hanging. Maybe that’s where he wants us. This album is a fine example of how very good music can be lost to culture, because business interests fail at “promotion”. A sad reflection on the music industry (an oxymoron if there ever was one). Almost a “five”. 4/5

The sparse arrangements really let his melodic genius shine through. Truly the master of melancholic understatement.

I actually had to listen to this album twice. The first time, I was doing stuff and it mostly just felt like generic 70s singer-songwriter stuff. But I could tell that I was missing something so I gave it another listen in the afternoon and yeah, the songwriting is really deep. The album is simple. It's just a single vocal and a single guitar. The focus is entirely on the songwriting which is quite good. It's dark and depressing. But very very good.

I know it's ironic, considering what a troubled, tragic soul Nick Drake was, but this album has been a source of great comfort to me for years. Each song is a gentle lullaby, and if you ever need a soundtrack for a crisp autumn walk, this is it. That said, it's also perfect year round.

The most beautiful 28 minutes ever recorded.

Beautiful music we all get to hear, seemingly made whether anyone was listening or not--and that's an uncommon thing. A late-career masterpiece with the intuitive confidence of a stellar debut. It's just a pity he didn't stick around to see how much everybody loved it.

Maybe I should have expected it, but I was surprised to find an artist on this definitive list that I hadn't even heard of before. I was going to post a brief note about how this was a nice acoustic album, and how it reminded me of Junip without drums a little bit, and how it would have been better with drums. But after this brief, 28 minute collection of very minimalist songs was done, I was curious to learn more about this artist I had never heard of, and so I got to learn about the sad, short life of Nick Drake. His story was a lot like Van Gogh's: an artist suffering from significant mental illness and unappreciated during his own lifetime. I wish he could have gotten the help that he needed to have a better life. Nick received a great deal more recognition as the years went on after his passing, and many famous musicians consider him to be an important influence to them, so it definitely makes sense in hindsight to find him here. My personal enjoyment: 3/5 Did it belong on this list: 4.5/5

I don't think a more intimate, tragic and emotional album has ever been recorded. Nick Drake takes us deep into his mind, as implied by the album art, it's dark, full of dichotomies and internal struggles. We experience his memories, desires, and self-hatred. The mixing of this album give the feeling of closeness, a similar feeling to as if you were in the room with him. His voice is mixed in a way that it sounds close and personal, the guitar perfectly balances this, and we have nothing else in these songs to get between you and Nick Drake. Despite the music being raw and simple in concept, the implementation is masterful. The melodies are gorgeous and they hit you like a truck, no gimmicks needed, this is accomplished purely by powerful songs played on a guitar. Throughout this abum we walk on a tightrope of strength and fragileness, volitility and apathy, love and hate, a picture of beauty painted by a true artist. Favorite track: Place to Be

Onw of the moodiest albums ever

Nick Drake is often referred to as a folk artist, but he is a folk artist the way that Joni Mitchell is a folk artist, which is to say, not so much. Baroque acoustic pop comes much closer. His melodies and arrangement have a lulling quality. The way he often uses a pedal point contributes to a droning quality (this is a natural consequence of the non-standard tunings he uses). He also uses intricate, repetitive rhythms in his arrangements to trance-like effect. His melodies are unusual in that they aren't what the songs are built around; instead, they are woven into and are almost an extension of the arrangements. The final element is Drake's voice itself, which is intimate and confessional, insinuating instead of demanding attention. (I've ignored the lyrics, which I know are a huge part of Nick Drake's appeal.) The music on Pink Moon doesn't smack you over the head--it seeps into your consciousness. Unless you reject it outright, it irresistibly lulls you into its rhythms--in that sense, it's the ultimate mood music. It almost feels unfair to evaluate this music in terms of quality--it just is. But I can say that Nick is a competent guitarist, pianist, and arranger, and his singing is perfect for his music. I could complain that not one of the songs on Pink Moon stuck in my head, but that's almost besides the point. What matters here is atmosphere and mood, not earworm choruses. In fact, for what Nick Drake was going for, it's hard to imagine how you could improve on Pink Moon.

Ooh, this is right up my alley – acoustic, singer-songwriter! I really liked this one and would definitely look up more from this artist.

The vocals on the first track (Pink Moon) physically hurt they were that bad. The rest of the album passed by with a couple of irritating moments when he tries to get 'avant garde' with the guitar. Overall a singer songwriter album that has nothing to recommend it and a few really bad spots.

I didn’t get any of the lyrics and I fucking hated everything about this album. I’m sorry

The subtle imperfections of his perfect guitar playing gives the record soul and structure that makes the addition of any other instruments superfluous. His ability to create a soundscape with one instrument is raw talent.

This is my second-favorite Nick Drake album, behind Five Leaves Left. However, I think Pink Moon is his most cohesive and well-executed. It seems like he had finally found his sound, which didn't need cellos and trumpets and violins to express the melancholic ache of his soul. I don't doubt that Drake felt most himself and most inspired when alone with some weirdly-tuned guitar. Every song on this album seems like the result of hours spent in a room with the curtains drawn, keeping the noise down so as not to disturb anyone in the house. Obviously, this was recorded in a studio, but it doesn't come off that way. Listening to this record, it makes sense why Drake didn't bother performing these songs on stage. Lyrically and musically, I don't think the message would have translated in some smoky London folk club. This is the music of solitude, and Drake invites each of us to partake in being alone with him. In this way, Pink Moon is the standard and pioneering work of emotionally confessional folk music. And all of this doesn't even speak to the immense achievement that Pink Moon is in terms of musicality, as Drake displays a mastery of odd time signatures, chordal variation, and melody. My two favorite songs on this album are "Place to Be" and "From the Morning", but all of the others are equally fantastic.

Subdued soft almost folk rock, chill vibes Music sounds vaguely familiar. Especially the humming in "Know" but can't quite grasp where I know this from. Maybe it's been sampled, used, adapted, etc into many other pieces of music. The album overall feels haunting, yet warming. I can imagine sitting in a cottage, by a fire, in a nice comfy chair, looking out a window while rain lashes down. Hot chocolate and a dog by my side. Makes me think of an old book, where the pages have yellowed a bit and smell vaguely smokey, that old book smell. Not in a bad way at all, comforting. Familiar.

When I saw a 3rd Nick Drake album I thought, 'why!' with all the variety and rich musical content out there..and then I pressed play. Beautiful, intimate album. I was sorry it was over when the last song ended.

And so, this rosy satellite briefly passed our vision. It's orbit, although unstable, was close enough to be felt on the skin and in the bones. And while it leaves our sight as the daytime approaches, it lingers in our chest, tugging gently past the horizon.

Nick Drake is absolutely captivating. His voice commands attention and his songwriting is wistful, melancholic, and deeply moving. His short career, lack of a public persona, and tragically short life lend an air of mystery to him. He was not appreciated in this time but has ascended to the upper echelons of British folk. I’ve been listening to him for quite a while now and he still sounds as crisp and relevant as ever.

This album came from a guy who killed himself 2 years after recording it. You are listening to a guy who looked around and despised capitalism and comercialisation, so maybe this album wasn't intended to be heard. And if you did, that's awesome, and an incredible line of events that led you to this moment, listening to a record some guy made 60 years ago in two nights just for himself.

A lot of my favorite albums are complex and layered. What's so impressive about Nick Drake's albums is that he achieves so many of those same feelings with a much more minimal set of ingredients. That's not say this is simple music, just that he makes everything count. The album kind of pulls you in slowly before it hits you with the feels with "Which Will" and "Things Behind the Sun". I could do without "Know", but overall this album is a great experience.

Last few albums have been killers to the ears and this one follows suit. Pretty sure we're up the 3 or 4 albums by this dude and I'm they are the exact same sound and style, slow, mumbling and incredibly boring. Not my style and I really can't find anything I would want to revisit. Hoping this is the last time we hear from Nick Drake and we are not punished with anything from that other Drake. 2

Perfect for today's grey sky and tempermental weather. Perfect weather for tea drinking and navel gazing.

His magnum opus. He had a hard life, did Nick Drake. He deserves a 5 for this and his effort.

Excellent

Perfect Moon even if it is just a man and guitar along with a single overdubbed piano line. Simple, beautiful melodies and the most intricate, spellbinding fingerstyle guitar work. Manages to flip from completely bleak, barren and doldrums-like to intensely warm, hopeful inspiring with the same minimal guitary ingredients. Tortured and yet so tranquil sounding at same time. Strikes such a consistently rich and powerful mood throughout and is not a moment too long or too short even at a usually paltry 26 minutes because it’s so condensed with brilliant songs. Truly folk at its peak and an album to eclipse virtually all others.

I'm not a huge folk guy (especially not singer/songwriter) but in this case this is one of my favorite folk albums ever. Short, introspective, and beautifully simple. Pink Moon is such a lovely song. Honestly all of these are. They scratch an itch and are so comforting. A classic that I've listened to a ton over the years and still holds up. I want to listen to this on a brisk winter day with the snow falling now.

So here we are. The first 10/10 album I have gifted from this list. This album is fantastic on every level. Beautiful song writing, beatiful playing, beautiful story. It is eternal. It is Pink Moon. Would not change a single note. Vinyl purchased day of and listened though back to back.

Favorite Track: Pink Moon

I adore this album. Solumn, simplistic, introspective and beautiful.

Rarely does an album consisting almost entirely of only acoustic guitar and voice truly captivate me. For over 20 years now, Pink Moon has been one of the very few exceptions to that statement. Throughout Pink Moon, Drake’s dexterous guitar arrangements move in a labyrinthine manner. His lead lines propel the songs while chiming drone notes and chords punctuate their movements, making for a meditative and slightly hypnotic listening experience. He is both the lead guitarist and rhythm guitarist simultaneously…all while singing. Pink Moon is a tour de force; one that, sadly, didn’t achieve its full impact during Nick Drake’s lifetime.

After an exhausting day, this album provides a well-earned serenity that recharges and prepares you for tomorrow.

I was not familiar with Nick Drake's music, and I'm not entirely sure I've ever even heard of him. When I put this on, I was really surprised; this is definitely not your typical folk music of the 70s! It reminds me of the singer-songwriter and indie music of the 2000s, and I'm certain that these artists have been drawing some inspiration from here. Others must have thought so at the time, as his music did not sell well during his lifetime, and this album is no exception. This album received much of its recognition after Drake's death. Ultimately, this album sounds so ahead of its time. This album is rather short and the instrumentation here is fairly simple, as are the vocals, but the beauty here is definitely in the simplicity. This album has a clear and unadulterated focus on Nick Drake's voice and his guitar work -- nothing else -- and his voice and guitar complement each other so well. His voice is soft and airy and sounds like a "chest voice", rather than a "head voice". It's a singing voice that is unique; you just don't hear a voice like his very often. His guitar work on the album is soft, intricate, engaging, and soothing. This album's credits tout only a few names besides Nick's, and those names are all on the production side, not the music side; this album is for all intents and purposes a one man effort. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised by Nick Drake and by this album. It proved to be a peaceful, intimate, and engaging listen. It's a bit sad, and yet comforting. I hate that it did not receive its accolades during the time of its release and during Drake's lifetime, but its inclusion here is a testament to how greatness can be lost to time or circumstance. I looked ahead and found out that all three of his studio albums are on this project, and I really do look forward to hearing more from Nick Drake. On first listen, this was a 4. I couldn't help but listen again, and now it's so close to a 5 that I feel inspired to bump it up at this point.

nick drake like elliot smith killed himself. both created heartbreaking, individualistic albums. pink moon is THE nick drake album. its perfect. it is. im sad to say it. this guitar dude made a really great album in an era when someone else was nearby but not near enough. he was a standout. he made mood, mode, magic. im gonna go put this album on again, why not?

I spent a lot of this album focusing on the beautiful and varied sounds of Drake's acoustic guitar. This one felt especially intimate. I've sometimes felt that three albums from one artist was excessive in this list. Not so here. I am so sad there are no more. I will have to just go back and listen to these three again and again and be happy that they exist.

I doubt you find a folk artist or band in the last 20 years who isn’t massively inspired by Drake (the one with a first name). While all of Drake’s albums are emotionally sublime, there’s something deeply ominous about this, his last album. The production fits the tone of the compositions perfectly and both his guitar playing and vocal is haunting and eerily beautiful. Undoubtedly one of the best albums to clock in at just under half an hour.

WOW, simply wow, it'll be difficult to find the words that are deserving enough to describe this album but I'll do my best. This was my first time listening to Pink Moon and it's the first I'd had heard of Nick Drake and almost immediately from the first chords I heard oof of the first track onbthe album I was instantly impressed and surprised, by the end of the first track I had seriously doubted my musical credentials and how I have gone this long in life not having come across such a talented musician. There is a wondrousness and melancholy to this album that touches on some larger sense of sadness while the melody has this wisfulness and lightness to it complimenting the somewhat complicated nature of the sentiment behind the lyrics. This is album is a must for anyone.

I love this album. Both mysterious and beautiful; raw and almost uncomfortably dry with Nick's vocals right up in your face. Almost ironically the minimalist nature of this album makes me pay more attention to it than many "big" sounding records. Something about the chords and/or the tuning he used on these songs (just listen to the first/title track) are so unique (yet the simplicity occasionally lends itself to little chill moments (e.g. piano melody in "Pink Moon" which is also - I think - the only overdub on the album). Maybe not for everyone but the haunting melodic nature of this (and maybe combined with the very short running time) makes this an alltime favourite of mine. 9/10 5 stars.

A perfect example of music that is both beautiful and sad at the same time. For those that followed the Nick Drake story in a chronological manner, this, the last Nick Drake release is a significant departure. It is stark and focused inward. It is very short, but beautifully effective, with vocals frequently in a whisper.

Super interesting. Amazing atmosphere he creates by just using an acoustic guitar and his voice.

Utterly brilliant. I remember exactly where I was when I first heard Nick Drake: Gatwick Airport HMV. I went straight to the counter and said 'Who's this, it sounds a bit like John Martyn?' The sales assistant said 'It's Nick Drake, he was a friend of John Martyn'. I bought the album and I've been a fan ever since. This is his masterwork. 6 stars.

As someone who has battled with depression on and off for most of my life, Nick Drake is one artist who I decided to avoid. His death was such a tragedy and the fact that his music was largely unsung during his lifetime is such a shame. So when I played this yesterday, I was expecting to come away crying like I do when I listen to Elliot Smith but instead I was struck by how beautiful Pink Moon, and what a lose it is to me that I had never given it a proper listen before. Contrary to my preconceptions this is a joyous album. I played it this morning on our lounge room speakers unsure if it was the right soundtrack to a restless Saturday morning. My wife said she enjoyed it and that it wasn't what she was expecting either. My daughter, just said, "this is really nice, I like this music". They both have great taste.

A sad, beautiful album. Like Nick's life it's all too short at just 31 minutes bit with enough emotional impact to fill most box sets. Each song has a restrained beauty and the guitar playing is achingly gorgeous. 5 big 🌟

Pink Moon made me and a bunch of other people want a Volkswagen. Nick Drake made me want to explore folk music. His soft spoken voice and the fret buzz of his acoustic guitar conveys an understated sense of being and its perfect. This album taps into something beneath the surface and it all comes out. If Gustavo Sataolalla, Alexi Murdoch are are able paint pictures with their music, Nick Drake is able to make you feel it. I hear Gustavo in Horn and Alexi in Which Will and so many other songs. There can't be any musicians who've heard Pink Moon and been unaffected. This album and the whole Nick Drake story gets me emotional. An artist that kills himself after releasing two albums to lackluster reviews and thirty years its discovered by the world because of advertising. Unattainable desire. To become famous, to own and possess things you don't need. It’s difficult to point to anything good that’s come out of marketing since it’s inception. Pink Moon and Nick Drake may be the one thing.

Bleak and sparse, sad and melancholy. An achingly beautiful album. The more I listen to it, the more I'm drawn in and the more I can't help but love it . Make no mistake, this is a masterpiece.

Great album! After the second listen it really grew on me. What a great songwriter and guitarist/singer.

wow

Before I started listening to this, I had had it confused with Nick Cave. Needless to say, I was surprised once the record started spinning. Sad, mournful, soulful. I love his warm guitar sound and angelic voice. I am sorry that he was in so much pain, but I am glad that something beautiful could come out of it.

Amazing, beautiful voice, great guitar. Feels small, intimate, open. Also dark, sad and melancholy.

I recognize this album distinctly, from a time when I'm pretty sure Andrew and/or Alden recommended it to me. I listened to it then, wasn't really impressed, and don't remember it at all. It's been in my itunes library since, untouched. It's an album I see a lot on people's "favorite albums" collages (including Alden I believe). I tend to bristle when I see the same albums being heralded over and over as "masterpieces," so I was nervous to hear this again. But now, wow. I'm so into this. I love how sparse and melancholy it is. There's a great deal of pain here, but also really impressive guitar-playing and great melodies. It reminds me a lot of Adrianne Lenker's Songs album (one of my favorites of 2020) that featured only vocals and guitar. As much as I love elaborate, fun production, there's something unbeatable about the purity of a singer/songwriter on a guitar. This was recorded in just two days?? And Nick Drake was only 23 years old??? There's more Nick Drake lore I need to dig into, as this was his last album before he died, but man, this is incredible. I've been wondering to myself if it would be possible for me to give a five-star rating to an album I didn't already know. While I may have heard this before, today feels like a first listen, and I'm honestly floored. This may be my favorite album we've had on the list so far. Favorite tracks: Kind of pointless since the whole thing is so good and cohesive, but Road, Place to Be, and Things Behind the Sun really grabbed me. Album art: Really, really love this one. I'm not sure it's iconic--not sure if the general population would recognize this one. But I've seen it so many times over the years and it's seared in my brain. Some sort of really depressing hybrid of Dali and Lewis Carroll. It's super cool. 5/5

Buzzy, pleasant guitar sounds, delightful to listen to in the sunlight.

Easy and quick listen. It felt like a warm hug. This kinda stuff isn't usually my cup of tea, but I thought it was good. Though, I do wish there was more elements.

Beautiful album

Such a smooth voice to go with the guitar. I really like when he would harmonize the guitar with his singing. Pretty simple album of just guitar and singing but it is done incredibly well. Didn't know that I knew the song Free Ride until it started playing.

Very pleasant cool melodies, songwriting and vocals are depressing but very well done.

Really cool. Not sure what I was expecting but great guitar playing on musically and lyrically interesting songs was absolutely welcome

I’ve listened to one Nick Drake album already (Bryter Later) which absolutely blew me away. I remember living that album so much that I went to trusty Wikipedia and ended up with a broken heart after reading about Nick. I’m looking forward to listening to this one. Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Pink Moon, Which Will, Parasite I love how minimalist this album is. It feels like sitting in a room with Nick and his guitar and having him softly sing to you. There is certainly something nice to be said about music that isn’t overly produced, as is commonly heard these days. The track Know felt possibly a little too stripped back for my taste, but everything else felt oh so cosy. I’ve listened to two Nick Drake albums now and have really enjoyed both.

I really enjoyed this one! The whole album is great and feels complete despite its short length. The production and arrangements could not be simpler with most songs just featuring an acoustic guitar and vocals; however, this is not a drawback as it feels more intimate and timeless because of this stylistic choice. With this type of approach to a recording, my enjoyment of the songs typically rely on how much I can tolerate the artist's voice, and I feel that Nick Drake did a fantastic job enhancing his dark lyrics with his strong vocal performance. This is definitely one I will throw on again in the future (feels like a nice winter or rainy day album), and I can see myself diving deeper into Drake's catalog after this (I am surprised I have never heard of him). 4/5. NOTE: I was shocked to find out that he died only a couple of years after this album at the young age of 26 (!). After knowing this, it does feel like I am listening to a lost soul through his creation which makes it a bit more tragic. I am happy he left such a great impression before leaving this world with this beautiful set of tracks.

Listening to the first couple of tracks, I was quickly drawn in by the hauntingly spare sound, honest lyrics and atypical tunings. Surprised that I hadn't heard of Nick Drake before, I looked him up. What a tragic story of a great talent underappreciated in his time and taken far too soon. I can hear influences of Cat Stevens and Van Morrison in his work, and can hear how his sound may have influenced a whole host of singer/songwriters that followed him. Some of the songs are a little bleak (understandably), but others feel hopeful and celebratory of our (pained) existence. The musicianship is mostly very strong, with his reedy voice well-suited for introspection. I will definitely listen to him more and will seek out his other work. How sad that there is so little of it.

I liked it. It's felt familiar yet unique. I kept thinking of Iron & Wine, Elliot Smith, and Jose Gonzalez. Not super into them but I've also appreciated their works. Loved the melachonic vibe but I didnt catch a lot of the lyrics. I had it on as background music so I didnt get a true impression but from what I heard I liked.

It's only here because it sold a few Volkswagons and the depressed artist killed himself at the age of 26. Gains a point for the Dream Academy and Peter Buck influence. Loses a point for the Zach Braff association.

i'm sad. makes me feel lonely, which is probably a testament to drake's skill

Ok slow music. Not much range. Got bored listening to the whole album.

After reading the wiki page, I thought oh God no, this probably will be a pile of steaming excrement. Luckily it wad slightly better than what I expected. 1

Au niveau stylistique, dans les compositions, j'ai l'impression qu'il est vraiment en avance sur son temp. C'est doux, parfaitement éxécuté. Pas un album que j'écoute souvent, mais c'est parfait pour ce que c'est. Bravo

Pas grand chose à dire, l'album parle par lui-même. C'est très beau. Proposition unique sans compromis. Fragile et solide. Prise de son 👌

really really liked it

Very chill album with an almost harrowingly melancholy vibe to it. Mostly just a dude and a guitar. Short and bleak. The dude on the cover is fr how I look while listening. I gave it a second listen and man, its simplicity and ultra-focused writing and vibe are just so haunting

Never listend to this person and did not even know they existed. This record is a beautiful, warm embrace and I can already say it will be one of my favorite albums (outside the generator). I’ve listened to maybe only 15 records so far on the generator and gave a lot of 3 stars to records and was already wondering when / if I‘d ever come across anything that would instantly make me love it and make me dish out 5 stars because I feel like I’m hard to amaze and maybe overcritical. But Nick Drake… wow. This is just beautiful to listen to. It’s melancholic but not too much to bear. Just perfectly hit my sweet spot. A gem, a truly marvelous record.

Makes me cri

A really nice indie album, i will definitely listen to it again

Fabulous. I knew a few of the songs. But had always drifted yo van Morrison. It was fabulous.

Nick Drake's last masterpiece before his very untimely death. The music is dramatically stripped down to mostly just Drake and his guitar (and one piano overdub). What's remarkable is the sound quality. These two basic elements completely dominate the room and your head space. Close your eyes and you can imagine sitting on the ground in a recording studio while he plays atop a bar stool. At the same time, it's so stripped back that it almost ceases to exist. It's like watching an ant very close up. It's something you could easily ignore but it becomes fascinating and fully engaging when viewed close up. Much has been made about the depression that Nick Drake experienced. Given his early death and poor album sales, it's easy to imagine a tortured soul in these tracks. But I don't think so. This music is therapy and expression, for Drake and for so many of his listeners, even decades later when the music is so much more appreciated.

Acoustic open tuning masterpiece, love nick drake

Ordinarily this style of a folk singer accompanied only by an acoustic guitar doesn't do much for me, but Nick Drake somehow made his music so moving in a way that, for me, nobody else can Drake comes up with all these interesting little guitar parts that none of his contemporaries would dare try (that I know of anyway), like Road (like the vocal harmonies on that one too) and Know. I think this is sparse and understated done at it's absolute best The lack of any backing band on this compared to his previous album really emphasised the lonely and hollow atmosphere. The single piano accompaniment on the title track is so simple but it's so memorable. His vocals are sort of in a way that adds to that too. Despite the forlorn and sorrowful tone, it's also a strangely soothing listen A folk classic Highlights: Pink Moon, Road, Know, Horn

Emotional, deep, poetic, beautiful

Along with albums like Tapestry and Astral Weeks, this album is powerfully evocative of my childhood when I used to fall asleep on the stairs listening to the talk and music coming from my parents' dinner parties. Still makes me feel so much indescribable emotion. I had always assumed that this was Nick Drake's first album as it bears all the hallmarks of being a first album peak, starting with something simple and beautiful that then gets corrupted with additional instrumentation and unnecessary complexity. I love that he actually worked the other way and strived to achieve this stripped down perfection.

My mum can't listen to this album, all she can hear is Nick Drake's pain. It's the most bleak and melancholic of a trilogy of albums that can all be bleak and melancholic, yet it still breezes by. There's a reason the tortured artist is such a common trope, and this records sits along the likes of Vincent van Gogh as to why.

Hello darkness, my old friend

So potent and beautiful

Pink Moon is a beautiful song. Place to Be is another great song. He has a haunting voice. Probably because he had so little output compared to so many singer-songwriters, but Nick Drake is tragically underrated. The songs are so short they really leave me wanting more at the end. This is a beautiful album, an album full of these little beautiful clouds that dissipate as soon as you try to grab hold of them. I'm surprised Zach Braff hasn't scored one of his movies with just this album. It feels like something is going on with the guitar on Know, almost like the strings weren't quite tight. From the Morning is such a nice way to end the album. It's just an album of Nick Drake singing and playing guitar. I wish there was more, more songs, longer songs, something.

I love all 3 of Nick Drake’s albums, perhaps I love Pink Moon the most but perhaps that’s Five Leaves Left… There seems to be some kind of wisdom in here which belies his youth. I particularly enjoy the blend of folk styles and the expressive guitar playing. His voice and vocal phrasing is instantly recognisable and whilst some of these songs are very melancholic I find the whole effect to be a balm. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

❤️

This sounds like it was recorded in 2003

Great

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Short and sweet. These are the albums I signed up for!

Wow. I feel like a real idiot. I have heard of Nick Drake a few times over the years. Told myself I'd give it a try. Then confused Nick Drake with Nick Cave... Which don't get me wrong, I can get down with some Nick Cave. But I have missed out on years of this?? All because my brain wouldn't remember "Drake"... 5/5

Love how this is kept so raw. Just vocals and acoustic guitar but while it plays, you hear the whole orchestra and see the whole spectrum of the human experience. This album is very beautiful and immediately resonates with me. Great rhythmic playing and interesting chord progressions, understated but rich vocal timbre.

This is one of those albums I knew would be on the list prior to starting it. Universally lauded as one of the greatest albums of all time, at least in online music circles. I'm extremely familiar with this album, I've heard it many times through and I can heartidly say I agree with the praise. This is the second Nick Drake album on this list I've reacted to so far (36 total) so I know my score will probably reflect that a bit. I like this one a lot, but it wouldn't be right if I didn't give it a detailed listen with notes like every other album. Pink Moon Classic singer-songwriter song. People have been trying to emulate the magic of this song for decades most failing along the way. The odd inflections, the intimate delivery and the mystical lyrics over a calming acoustic guitar builds a radiant atmosphere. The piano is beautiful too, and comes in at the exact right time. I really like how short it is, honestly the briefness enhances the track for me. One of the greatest of its genre. 5/5 Place to Be There's a beautiful calmness to the tracks on the album. The mellow tranquility especially comes across on this track. The groundedness in his voice alongside the rustic guitar melody creates an earthiness that creates a sense of safety within the music. Melancholic lyrics without being too dramatic. Beautiful. 5/5 Road Melodic and atmospheric. I love how you can hear every stroke and pinch of the guitar. Small imperfections that add a lot of soul and personality to the track. The lyrics add up to something strangely poetic. Mantra-like. Great. 4.5/5 Which Will Reflective sounding guitar. His delivery is so unique it's impossible to imitate with such earnestness and charm. A cozy and warm sound. Sounds like the final night before the end of summer. Fantastic. 5/5 Horn The opening guitar almost has a classical sound to it. A cute little melody which ends up being a pleasant listen. 4/5 Things Behind the Sun I feel a lot of modern singer-songwriters base their entire sound on the guitar in this track. The ultimate transitional song. It's like the feeling of waiting to arrive somewhere, being between two places. Autumn vibes. Great. 4.5/5 Know Repetition adds a cleansing element to the track. Doesn't really go anywhere. Still pleasant. 3.5/5 Parasite Sad and emotive lyrics play out a vivid story. Extremely depressing, feels personal and real. It present a devastating self image, and feels like it takes inspiration from real issues faced by the author. Devastating. 5/5 Free Ride There's a little bit of a shift in energy from the previous song. Feels lighter and less loaded while still having undertones of sadness underneath. Really like the progression in the chorus. Great. 4.5/5 Harvest Breed There's a sense og melancholy in the guitar. The lyrics feel like a part of a poem. Wish it stayed on a little longer, has the potential to evolve, but the short length of the song prevents that. Still good. 4/5 From the Morning My favourite from the album. Feels accepting and uplifting. I really enjoy the more positive outlook after a very downturned and sad album. A really refreshing, earnest little track that leaves an impact everytime I hear it. Has a nostalgic and reflective feel to it which is carried on top of the beautiful little guitar melody. Sells the idea that there's a light at the end of the tunnel, and that one has to appreciate beauty and wonder even during bad times. That this was one of his last recorded songs before tragically passing also adds to the feel of the song. Hope he found beauty and peace in his final moments. Fantastic. 5/5 I always forget how enigmatic and cryptic a lot of the lyrics are on this thing. Even if it's difficult to understand at times I think the songs really get their intent across through atmosphere, delivery and feel. It's both uplifiting and depressing, and also extremely calming and warm even when you feel how moody and weighted certain elements feel. Does all it should and more. A magnificent series of songs, and an absolute tragedy that we never got to hear another project from him again, and that he never saw the success he deserved. 4.5/5 Fave track. From the Morning Last fave track. Know

I don't go more than a few months without giving this album a spin, perfect beautiful acoustic music. Hard to think of many better ways to spend half an hour.

Pure acoustic guitar Bliss.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

First of all. Wow. I have nothing but praise for this one. To get this started, I have read about Nick Drake and his story is very tragic, he made some great stuff and it is a shame no one noticed until after his story was over. This is a haunting and beautiful album, the music feels and sounds very raw, the instrumentation only containing a sparse acoustic guitar creates an atmosphere perfect for an album like this, it is underlined with sadness but contains small pockets of joy, this is an introspective, melancholic, and gentle album which comes together in a perfectly wrapped package of an album, it is a short 28 minutes, and uses every minute exceptionally well, it doesn’t overstay its welcome, and it doesn’t leave me feeling like it should have been longer. It doesn’t get better than an album like this. Rating: Masterpiece (Strong ☆☆☆☆☆) Favorite Tracks: Pink Moon, Place To Be, Which Will, Know, and Free Ride.

I was in the absolute worst possible mood for this album to pop up. I'd heard of Nick Drake, but never (knowingly) listened to him. Turns out, I'd heard the title track in a VW commercial back in 1999. Anyway, given my mood, and the blurb about the album in Apple Music, I was prepared to have an awful time of it. But dammit if this album didn't win me over. And keep winning me over for its entire 28 minutes. 5 stars.

Make me feel some type of way. Favourite Songs: Pink Moon, Place to Be, Things Behind the Sun, Parasite, From the Morning. Least Favourite Songs: Know.

YOOO

so talented he died way too young. SO MUCH potential RIP Nick Drake. Definitely his masterpiece although I also love his other albums just as much.

another BANGER from this guy

Sometimes the simplest forms of art are also the most beautiful.

From the moment this album starts I am taken away ... birds, and white sails on a distant ocean. It is so perfect it makes me cry for all the innocence lost in the world. I think this is a ghost ... a wandering soul ... playing from a place so deep as to become lost. But manages to find us in our lonely hiding places ... lighting a campfire - welcoming us to come over and warm our hands... and sit a while and notice the stars multiplying in the darkness.