Rejoicing In The Hands

Siri, please find me better albums.. *Siri blinks* "I'm sorry, there are over one thousand albums in this list made in the UK so you will have some stinkers. Understood, thanks Siri.

This reminds me of living in halls at university and having to endure the faux-hippy twat upstairs playing his guitar and ‘singing’ to try and impress girls. It should never have been committed to tape, let alone appear in the this list.

This album is a gem, really liked several songs. He’s got a cool voice, simple but solid guitar work, and some clever lyrics. Best one in quite a while

I know I've listened to Devendra Banhart before, he's a very quirky folksy artist. I love his song "I Feel Just LIke a Child." This album definitely fits that mold. Great instrumentation and melodies. His vocal performances are strange, but still enjoyable. It's folk music on a few drugs. I enjoyed this, but didn't love it. Favorite tracks: A Sight to Behold, Insect Eyes, Dogs They Make Up the Dark. Album art: This one's really cool. The drawings seem simple, ancient, and kind of creepy. 3.5/5

I love the album cover, but have no clue what is in store. And after the first two songs I don’t have my bearings. I’m think I might be enjoying this - but I feel a little lost. Is this music from India? The songs hint of something exotic… or not? I’m not sure. I like the lyrics, and love the cracking and vibrato in the singer’s voice. By the time I get to “Poughkeepsie” I don’t feel any more grounded. When he starts listing Elvis songs I don’t know what to make of this. I feel like I may be in a parallel universe. This music is familiar and yet very alien. “Dogs They Make Up The Dark” happens and I don’t know if I like it or not. With “Will Is My My Friend” I’m sensing something really beautiful. But I still can’t bring it into focus. As I listen to “This Beard Is For Siobhan” I’m still unable to get a lock on this album or how I feel about it. I understand the words but this is really beyond me. Everything about this album feels just out of my reach. There’s something tantalizing and… amazing?… here, but I can’t quite grasp it. Nor can I walk away. The instrumental “Tit Smoking In The Temple Of Artesan Mimicry” happens then “Rejoicing In The Hands”… am I listening to something in the Asian tradition? As I listen to “Fall” I’m starting to think I need a guide. Did I say “Asian tradition” earlier? Here’s “Todo Los Delores”. The false start is enchanting. Who is Devendra Barnhart? What am I listening to? This album has affected me deeply. But it is also defying me. And I don’t know how I feel about it. “Insect Eyes” is really disconcerting. How can I be listening to a song and be so on the verge of love and hate at the same time?! As I listen I return to the cover art and it now feels soothing and sinister. “Autumn’s Child” is a dirge that draws me in while offering no satisfaction. The album ends. Listening to this was confounding, tantalizing, intriguing, maddening, soothing, familiar, alien. I am moved, repulsed, seduced, repelled and adrift. REJOICING IN THE HANDS confounds my effort to assign a score. It’s almost as if it has opened the door to a parallel universe. I have no idea if that is somewhere I want to be. Yet I am compelled to listen again… …on the second listen I really enjoyed this. Still not confident I know what this is all about, but I’m ready to take my little teeth out dancing and show them a real good time.

Loved the first few tracks, loved the last few tracks, but I got a bit bogged down in the middle. Overall, I like this Joanna Newsom-y kind of thing: a coffee shop guitar, quirky lyrics. The first lines and the last lines of the first song won me over right away and will be a hymn in my own personal church: "This is the soup that I believe in This is the smoke I'm always breathin' This is the way I share my breakfast ... Well we've known we've known We've had a choice We chose rejoice" I'm interested in hearing more from this guy.

It’s ok. Venezuelan singer songwriter, mostly solo guitar, but also some string arrangements. Mostly under 2.5 minutes. I didn’t hate it, so not gonna go below 3, but I’m not sure I’ll ever listen again to be honest. There’s some interesting poetry and guitar playing here and there, but nothing that great. The vocals kinda go back and forth between compelling and slightly off putting. The title track is legit great. I think I’m more of a fan of the more mystical, almost indigenous folk sounding tracks like Fall.

Production: 8/20 Songwriting: 7/20 Innovation: 7/20 Bangers: 0/20 Emotional response: 4/20 =26 I have nothing to say except this was booooooring

Great folky album

Acoustic croony tallest man on earth esque

Devendras music has always been close to my heart

so good

Such a new and interesting sound that I actually listened to this album twice yesterday. Will be adding it to my rotation.

This is a lovely album of sparse eastern tinged folk music. Lyrics are poetic and sung in a light and personal manner, but with enough tension to keep me interested. In many ways, this reminds me of Marc Bolan's music in the late sixties with Tyrannosaurus Rex. The album is utterly charming and highly recommended.

Absolutely gorgeous. I only wish it was longer. Not quite 5 stars, but a well-deserved 4.

Very relaxing and chill album. Great acoustic guitar and vocals. Good intro to Devendra Banhart, he's got some other really cool music, I'll definitely be adding to my rotation. Highlights: -This is the Way -When the Sun Shone on Vetiver -This Beard Is for Siobhan -Insect Eyes

Half the album was pretty decent. Kinda reminds me of Sondre Lerche (Dan in Real Life)

Amongst the likes of Sufjan Stevens and Bon Iver in the folksy singer/songwriter scene, Devendra Banhart is a name that stands out. Haven't heard of him before but his delicate playing and storytelling can hang with the rest of 'em. He's sweet and sour at the same time, evoking bittersweet feelings of autumn days with only his guitar and voice. It's vaguely evocative of the more tender parts of Fleetwood Mac's "Rumors", while still remaining distinct. On a sleepy weekday morning, Devendra Banhart is a perfect way to appreciate the time.

I would say that folk is my primary genre that I listen to and to me this is a decent early 2000s folk album. But as far as early 2000s folk goes there are much more notable albums missing from this list. Sufjan Stevens' Michigan had come out about a year before this and his album Seven Swans came out a little over a month before. Iron and Wine had also just released Our Endless Numbered Days which belongs on this list as well. That all being said I think it's still a good album and I'm just being picky because it is my genre of choice. I think there is a good exploration of different instruments and playing styles without being overwhelming. Which is something more experimental folk musicians struggle to achieve.

false

Big no.

gyah, this is a rough listen...repetitive, meandering, pointless plunking. no desire to keep listening.

In theory I should enjoy this - acoustic folky vibe - however it's draab - Minor key central with weary vocals and lyrics...

Había escrito algo hermoso y la mierda esta no me lo guardó, la concha de tu madre, creador de esta mierda.

A bit of me

Ktebt Zouz Saf7at Fy 3l Bouheli Mte3 Dostoevsky, Still Sick, Za3ma Corona Walla Bech Nmout?

a lot of the tunes sounded similar but the whole thing was good.

Heel leuk album. Fan van het genre, al zijn de teksten soms nogal vreemd

Like if Alt-J played mostly slow acoustic songs. Pretty good!

Nice singer songwriter stuff. Enjoyed "Todo Los dolores", "Will is my friend",

false

enjoyed

aweeeee pretty :* #needed

I generally liked this one, though I found some of the songs a bit…strange? I usually like singer-songwriters, though, and this one was pretty good.

Folk-rock acústico

Original. Love it!

Very unique. A wholly new genera for me. Really liked it. Would def listen to again.

Amo el genero singer-songwriter. Joni Mitchel, Devendra Banhart y Neil Diamond... Me inspiran muchisima paz. Mis favoritos fueron a Sight to Behold y See Saw. Super intimo, cantado cerca del mic y en un lugar chiquito, no se le puede pedir mucho mas a un disco. Me gusta esos tintes de blues de Louisiana que tiene desperdigados por todos lados.

Nice folky album, giving it a 4 so I will listen to it again.

Well this is nice

Conosco molto bene questo album perché era parte fissa dei miei ascolti intorno ai 20-24 anni. Devo dire che sono abbastanza un fan di Devendra, per me lui incarna l'anti-popstar, lo spirito con cui lui fa musica è esattamente lo spirito con cui secondo me tutti dovrebbero fare musica. I suoi pezzi sembrano spesso farneticazioni o idee buttate lì e lasciate incompiute, ma il modo in cui lui le interpreta rendono questa cosa un pregio invece che un difetto per me. Sentendo questo album uno si immagina che a lui non freghi un cazzo di fare il musicista figo o maledetto ma che semplicemente si diverte a fare musica in modo quasi un po' infantile. Quando l'ho visto dal vivo ho potuto confermare questa cosa, è stato più o meno come andare a casa di un amico e cazzeggiare con la chitarra. Nonostante questo appunto credo che il suo stile sia davvero unico e riconoscibile e che i suoi pezzi non manchino di profondità a differenza di quello che potrebbe sembrare ad un primo ascolto. Autumn Child è un pezzo che ogni tanto ascolto ancora e che ho sempre trovato davvero bello. Il suo difetto è sicuramente che rischia di accollarsi un po', spesso per colpa degli arrangiamenti inesistenti o minimali, però comunque non riesco a penalizzarlo per questo più di tanto per il discorso che ho fatto prima, anche la ripetizione fa parte della spontaneità con cui scrive. In ogni caso Devendra ha dimostrato che fare il cantautore matto, un po' bambino, ma anche mezzo guru spirituale fricchettone paga visto che è stato con Natalie Portman. Quindi c'è speranza. Voto: 4 pieno.

Questa volta ero partito con l'idea di farmi due palle tante. Invece mi sono ricreduto, l'ho trovato un album coraggioso e carino. Anche abbastanza scorrevole. Alcuni testi mi sono piaciuti molto. Di base è un album voce e chitarra ma ogni tanto spuntano a sorpresa archi, cori, piano e altre features, ma senza esagerare. L'unica canzone che ho odiato è quella in spagnolo. Comunque sia secondo me è un album da 4. PS. Questa è innegabilmente roba tua Daniè! Ora bisogna vedere se c'è alchimia o no..

Takiej odmiany wlasnie mi bylo trzeba, album tak prosty, a jednoczesnie tak wciagajacy, ze chyba juz 4 odsluchy wpadly, rejoicing in the hands to trzeci studyjny album pana Banharta, ktory urodzony w teksasie, wychowany w wenezueli, jako nastolatek wrocil do cali, zeby podazac za kariera muzyczna lub artystyczna, bo jeszcze cos na boku z rysowaniem ma, chocby swoje okladki sam tworzy, ale czym jest w ogole ta plyta, z pewnoscia akustycznym materialem, ktory laczy w sobie elementy folka i psychodelii, ktora w tym wypadku jest oparta na mocnych tekstach, ktore daja szerokie pole wolnej interpretacji, a jednoczesnie tworza obrazy ktore widac zaraz po przymknieciu powiek, zostalem zapytany wczoraj co sadze na temat muzyki latino, zgodnie ze swoimi przekonaniami stwierdzilem, ze nie przepadam za jej odmiana o ktora pewnie osoba pytala, czyli popularne popowe granie z wykorzystalem charakterystycznych gitarkowych elementow, jak chocby znienawidzone despacito, czy co trzeci hamerykani popowy kawalek, ktory musi zawierac cos latynowskiego, natomiast uwielbiam wykorzystanie bossa novy w murzynskich produkcjach, to pewnie glownie zasluga JMT i stoupe z jego egzotycznymi samplowaniami, a wlasnie na tej plycie, ktora jest z 2k04 brzmienie jak u pana bonfy z lat 60, wiec dawno sie tak pozytywnie nie zaskoczylem nowym albumem, gdzie na 16, dosc krotkich kompozycjach, bo cala plyta ma 42 minuty, pan devendra laczy psychodeliczne teksty jak przystalo na kali z brzmieniem gitarkowym, w ktorym czuc latino wplywy, chociaz plyta to wiekszosci kompozycje czysto akustyczno gitarkowe, to sa takze traki o bardziej zlozonej kompozycji, gdzie pojawiaja sie basy, smyczki, klawisze, czy talerze, do tego dochodzi pojawiajacy sie na 3 kawalakch wokal wspierajacy, na tytulowym rejoicingu duet spiewany na dwa kanaly, z lewej pan devendra, a z prawej pani vashti bunyan, ktora na dwoch pozostalych tworzy chorki overdubowane, ciekawie rozlokowane na scenie, z trakow ktore wyladuja na plejce, to z pewnoscia otwierajacy this is the way, czyli prosta akustyczna kompozycja ktora idealnie nadaje tonu calej plycie, fall na ktorym mozna uslyszec o wiele wiecej instrumentow i dosc mocnego overdubowania, bo zarowno elektryka jak i akustyka obslugiwal wokalista, no i dodatkowo sa te chorkowania o ktorych pisalem wczesniej, a wszystko stopniowo narasta od poczatku utworu, zeby dac upust szalenstwu w koncowce, a ostatim pickiem bedzie zkomponowany na podobnej zasadzie this beard is for siobhan, jako ze pierwszy raz slysze zarowno o plycie i muzyku, to tym bardziej cieszy mnie, ze akurat cos tak indyjskiego wylosowalo, bo jednak wiekszosc 1001 albumow to majorowe labele i ich top sellujace albumy, a taka odmiana od niezaleznej malej wytworni jest odswiezajaca, prawie jak pierwsze zetkniecie z pink moonem od drejka, bo to bylo jedno z pierwszych skojarzen po odpaleniu plyty

Ok. I liked this. It was nice, acoustic chill. Only complaint is that some of the backing tracks felt like first drafts. 4.4/5 stars

I was surprised by this album. I could tell it’s psychedelic folk almost immediately. Fav songs: a sight to behold, this beard is for siobhan

Great album to make breakfast to

a box of chocolates in the form of warm acoustic indie tones

I am not positive that I am a fan, but I am going to keep the album in my library at least for a few more listens. There were definitely moments I really enjoyed and others where the music was just there.

I enjoyed the acoustic guitar on this album very much. My appreciation of the singing waxed and waned. I know I would really enjoy some of these songs on a playlist.

This is really growing on me!!

Nice acoustic guitar work.

I'm a sucker for this type of chilled acoustic folk music. He has the perfect voice for it as well.

Never heard of this, but enjoyed it

Kom mér virkilega á óvart. Besta platan hingað til!

So nice

not as boring as I anticipated! actually pretty good!

That was really beautiful. Distinctive voice and equally impressive guitar playing.

02/15/2022 Chill, laid back tunes. Really nice acoustic guitar and lyrics. More rainy weekend music, but there's a lot to enjoy and appreciate here.

I like , I like. This was kinda cool.

I enjoyed this mellow album heaps. It sounds like the guitar parts from a Nick Drake album, with the dude from T Rex singing.

Beautiful

Imagine my surprise when halfway through 'Rejoicing In The Hands' I googled a pic of Devendra Banhart and… well, let’s just say it was not what I expected at all! I have a good friend (the very one who introduced me to this 1001 LP exercise) who does not appreciate any, and I mean any, pre-knowledge or references to movies he has not yet seen, preferring to experience it himself before entering into a discussion about its meaning. So in the event that he has not had the opportunity to listen to this LP, I don’t want to spoil it for him, or for any of the rest of you. Devendra Banhart, I believe, was born out of time. The arrangement and performance of the songs on 'Rejoicing In The Hands' are minimalist, mostly fingerpicking guitar ala 1960’s folk music, and a handful with an almost early 20th century American ragtime style. Many of the recordings have the sound and feel of live one-takers, captured in a tiny club right before closing, the permeating odor of stale beer and cigarette smoke that hangs in the air mingling with the unrealized desires of the three separate, remaining patrons. Nobody will be going home with anyone, or worse, with the one they didn’t really want in the first place at the beginning of the evening. Devendra’s vocals sound as if Devendra is familiar with this kind of longing; but, also, mercifully, with love. Both hurting and healing may be found in these songs. And sung in a voice that has learned to embrace and endure rather than avoid and deny life’s painful situations. The genre itself has been variously described as freak folk, new weird America (never heard that one), trippy-hippie tone poetry, ashram-appropriate (that one cracks me up.) I like the New York Times’ take on the whole thing: ‘free associative,’ meaning ‘the mental process by which one word or image may spontaneously suggest another without any apparent connection.’ Here’s an example to support that from the second to the last song on the LP: ‘And each strand of… hair is really insect eyes.’ Or the unexplainable (to me, at least) Elvis songs referenced at the end of ‘Poughkeepsie.’ How about this title for free association, the LP’s sole instrumental, ‘Tit Smoking in the Temple of Artesan Mimicry.’ I’m guessing Sigmund Freud, the deviser of the free association technique used in psychoanalysis, would have a field day with this one! All this is to say that it’s probably pointless to spend much time here analyzing Devendra’s lyrics- who knows if I’d hit or miss, or if it matters, or even if there’s a target at all? I did pick up, however, on an awful lot of references to the sun, which seems to shine through the darker places pervading this LP. There was a particularly lovely lyric on ‘The Body Breaks’ that represents this hope amidst the heartache. Following a lot of talk about the body breaking and aching, and that both you and I will get over it eventually, Devendra concludes: ‘The body stays And then the body moves on And I’d really rather not dwell When yours will be gone But within the dark There is a shine One tiny spark That’s yours and mine.’ I can only imagine the experience of listening to 'Rejoicing In The Hands' while backpacking, alone, up in the mountains, enduring the cold and darkness of the wee hours of the morning until finally the warmth of the sun's rays make their first appearance, the daily resurrection of light that the darkness cannot fully overcome. We are alive, thankfully in the Sun’s hands, rejoicing.

An album that I could kind of tell what it sounded like, but not how much I would enjoy it. It's a little trippy, little weird. The first track had me worried I'd hate it, but the record really grew on me. For some reason, paints a vivid picture of hanging on someone's outdoor porch in the dead of summer: it's hot, sticky, warm, but the conversation is too interesting to really care. Favorite tracks: "The Body Breaks", "Will Is My Friend", "Fall"

This is a very beautiful album. Banhart's singing is quite unique. The hollow/echo-y recording of the instruments really compliments it well and the combination really creates a dreamlike atmosphere. The way the instruments are recorded kind of reminds me of Blonde on Blonde. The songwriting is also good, enough variety to not get tedious over the 40 minutes of the album, yet maintains a consistent sound throughout. This album seems to have been slightly ahead of the current indie folk wave, Fall sounds like it could be an Alt-J song, also evokes Tallest Man on Earth and Fleet Foxes. Although I wouldn't call it groundbreaking given the long history this sound has. Overall, very much enjoyed, not excellent, but would definitely listen again. Fav Tracks: A Sight to Behold, This Beard is For Siobhan, When The Sun Shone on Vetiever

I guess you either like his annoying voice or you don’t. I did

Svag för Devendra ändå. Han har någoet.

Fiona appleesqe, but with less feeling, and a man. Enjoyed it.

This was new to me, so we'll see how it holds up to repeated listens. For now, I'm really into it.

I really dig it

Can listen later

Strong 3.5. Enjoyable folk album!

3.5 stars, chill album that I'd listen to again

Nice gentle tones.

Indbegrebet af singer/songwroter i die stilen. En mand og hans guitar og nogle følsomme tekster. Lidt for meget hippie agtig til mig og kedeligt

Not bad but ultimately fails to leave a Impress

very lovely, will listen again

Folk. Sweet dreams

Great material for a singer-songwriter album, every song felt unique.

it was chill

Much more mellow that I expected, but pretty good. I'm sure if I was paying attention to the lyrics I'd appreciate it a lot more.

Very chill. Maybe a bit samesie. I thought it had similarities to Blanco White but Maya disagreed.

I liked his sound! Of the era.

Well-sung, but kind of an odd style of music. It's got the vibe of an old half-crazy Southern lady singing to herself

I had no idea what to expect here. I've never heard of this artist and didn't know what kind of music to expect or even whether or not Devendra Banhart was a man or woman. Turns out it's a male folk singer. Not bad, not spectacular.

Could have been better as an instrumental album, given his remarkable guitar playing, but it wouldn’t have done much to change that the album is very uninspiring.

Meh

used to like in hs, decent now but a little cringe

Neo-hippy folk. Best Tracks: The Body Breaks, This Beard is for Siobhan, Rejoicing in the Hands

I'm a sucker for this sort of lo-fi, pastoral folk. I wish he was a baritone — more contrast in the singing would complement this music a lot better. But then Nick Drake already exists, so I'm not sure we'd need to invent him again.

Love the songwriting, his voice just isn't for me.

Sweet little freak folk record, but Joanna Newsom does it better

Good song writing, nothing too catchy.

I'm not sure about him, his sound is a lot of times too mellow or soft, but then some songs from other albums are amazing. Especially if he does them with clear Venezuelan folkloric influences, like Quédate Luna. Maybe after a couple of more listens some songs will shine

3/5 not my thing

Nice easy folksy music…not sure why it is included on the list as it doesn’t seem noteworthy

Wish I could give it a 3.5.... its just not quite a 4 to me. Nice and chill album

It hit on the same notes as someone like Kimya for me, but it wasn’t quite the same or as impactful

Decent album with some nice guitar.

Mi trovo in difficoltà, inizialmente l'impressione è stata buona e lo stile mi è piaciuto, poi però mi è un pò pesata l'idea di ascoltare un disco tutto così acustico e praticamente usando solo chitarra e voce, infatti alla fine ho faticato. Apprezzo le sue doti sia di scrittura che canore ma manca un pò di sostanza per fare il salto. Lo considero comunque un 3.5 tendete al 3.

3.7 - Reminds me of all things hipster: selvedge denim, striking facial hair, work aprons, tattoos of octopi, industrial lighting, growlers of IPA. Soothing, tender, well crafted. You remember the voice and the vibe but the songs are forgettable.

Cool weird folk! I feel like I'd pick up the standout songs like a sight to behold for playlists and leave the rest behind.

Sparse and in the folk introspective tradition of Nick Drake and John Martyn

If I could rate it a 3.5 I would, it was a lot better than I thought it was. Sad vibes, but a vibe for sure

7,0/10 Muito bom

3,5 ilk birkac sarkidan sonra istenen verim alinamadi malesf

I knew of "The Body Breaks" which I liked, but overall started it's alright. Interesting cadence and I like the folksy guitar, but nothing that made me want to listen again.

I like this for about 3 tracks or so. I can see how some individual tracks could be used really effectively on a soundtrack or something but an entire album kinda wears out it's welcome with me.

This is alright, generally there are a couple songs per album that I really like by Devendra, and the rest are a bit boring. This one perhaps slightly better than that. At times it feels like he's saying strange things just to be strange which irritates me. Could be convinced that this album is better, but middle of the road for me.

Fav songs: - A Sight to Behold - This Beard Is for Siobhan

Amazing guitar but not much else to lobe about this album. Sound got old quick. Lyrics were odd. Nothing too exciting

Rather delightful, folksy acoustic guitar and coo-coo singing, minimal 4-track arrangements. Restful, nostalgic, comforting.

This album triggers the olfactory memory of patchouli oil and B.O. wafting from Devendra's fans. This probably isn't a bad album just not just me for me. Autumn's Child is a beautiful way to end the thing

Mixed feelings on this one. It was interesting, pleasant to listen to for the most part, but I also found it a bit dull. At its best parts it reminded me of Donovan. 3 stars.

Extremely pleasant background music. Crank it all the way to 4 in your local bistro.

I enjoyed listening to this it made me think I was on a crusty canal boat on the murky sulpur canals of vuleeian in the outer gas lands of Saturn. Alien type crusty boat dwellers and I would gather round small sulphur fires toasting yang-o- Tuuts discussing a simpler life and our disenchantment with capitalism. And like this album as intriguing as that was it got a little staid after a while, some of the noise granted but overall it was pleasant.

Leuk dat ik dit nu ken. Ergens in de verte moest ik aan Alt-J denken.

Nog nooit van de beste man gehoord maar dat viel best goed eigenlijk!

Dit klonk wel aardig, maar ging ook enigszins aan mij voorbij.

Only listened to half of it. It started to grow on my a few songs in, but overall its not really my cup of tea. Too.... spoken word and "hipster-folk"-ey.

1/12/22

Cute, some nice tracks on here

Great relax and coffee house music, good for working, cleaning, and reading 3/5

Now let's have another glass of wine 🍷. Listened on my walk to work and really enjoyed it.

Enjoyable

I am not familiar with DEVENDRA BANHART and his third album REJOICING IN THE HANDS OF THE GOLDEN EMPRESS. Never even heard of him. After listening to REJOICING IN THE HANDS OF THE GOLDEN EMPRESS, this album is okay, I am surprised to find it listed in 1001 Albums, it really does belong here. In 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, with DEVENDRA BANHART - REJOICING IN THE HANDS OF THE GOLDEN EMPRESS, this is the only album listed. Rate Artist: DEVENDRA BANHART (3.0) Rate Album (Year): REJOICING IN THE HANDS OF THE GOLDEN EMPRESS (US 2004 Original) (3.5) Ranking of DEVENDRA BANHART - REJOICING IN THE HANDS OF THE GOLDEN EMPRESS songs No. Title Length Ranking 1. "This Is the Way" 2:53 08.0/10 2. "A Sight to Behold" 2:26 08.0/10 3. "The Body Breaks" 2:43 10.0/10 4. "Poughkeepsie" 2:17 06.0/10 5. "Dogs They Make Up the Dark" 1:20 08.0/10 6. "Will Is My Friend" 3:04 08.0/10 7. "This Beard Is for Siobhán" 2:36 06.0/10 8. "See Saw" 3:22 08.0/10 9. "Tit Smoking in the Temple of Artesan Mimicry" 1:25 05.0/10 10. "Rejoicing in the Hands" 1:41 10.0/10 11. "Fall" 2:53 08.0/10 12. "Todos los Dolores" 2:30 08.0/10 13. "When the Sun Shone on Vetiver" 3:34 06.0/10 14. "There Was Sun" 1:31 08.0/10 15. "Insect Eyes" 5:08 06.0/10 16. "Autumn's Child" 2:40 08.0/10 US 2004 Original Release 121.0/160 = 7.56 / 2 = 3.78

Its pretty but it drags. Michael Gira from swans produced it. Vashti Bunyan featured on it. He stood on the shoulders of giants and its aight.

Its OK, some interesting bits in there

Folky but in a strange way.

Not bad. Definitely worth another listen.

Je trouve comme mon camarade d'écoute robclairière que la ressemblance entre Devandra Bahnhof et Steve Savidan est frappante. J'ai notamment été très troublé par le ciseau acrobatique lancé par Devandra, qui ira trouver le fond des filets, similaire en tout point à celui inscrit par Steve Savidan dans les années 2000 (qui avait enflammé le Stade Malherbe de Caen on le rapelle)

Un album minimaliste pour Devendra, le chanteur se contentant de simples passes latérales et de plats du pied « sécurité ».

This is a very interesting album. Acoustic style eclectic music all throughout. I'm not sure this is for me, but it does pique the ol brain.

I don't love the vocals, but it is very much in keeping with the style of the genre. Songs are nice, I quite liked them. The earlier songs in the album were much better than the later ones - it ended up feeling like a dragged out collection 3/5

Meh

Another sad lyricist. Good but not great.

I enjoy the intense finger-picking moments very much, some great guitar playing on this album. Not crazy about the vocal performance. I understand that the shaky vocals are adding to the overall image of the album, but it's a bit jarring for me. Kind of ruins it if I'm being honest. Guitar-playing = 5/5 Vocals = 1.5/5 Fave tracks: This is the Way, Tit Smoking in the Temple of Artesan Mimicry

It's funny that sometimes, you can look at an album cover - not knowing the artist or what the album will remotely be like and just pick the style of music that it will contain. Devendra Banhart's Rejoicing In The Hands definitely fits the bill for this. Overall the slow indie/folk vibe seems to be alright for popping on in the background, or would fit seamlessly into countless indie movies/TV shows from the early/mid 00s. Best: Insect Eyes Worst: When the Sun Shone on Vetiver

Wel mooi maar beetje slappe singer songwriter gedoe

I respect albums like this, clear personal statements. Most folk on the list is either pop-oriented or very clearly part of a tradition; This is neither unless you look at hippiedom as the latter. Many tunes seem cut short, but Insect Eyes proves he can do multi-part work. It's charming, but I'm bearish on that fact. Folksy and charming, but lacking folksy charm, y'know?

A beautiful album just not sure it's for me. High level songwriting, sweet melodies. Will play this more than once and see where it leads me. 3.5 🌟

Gut, aber trifft nicht genau meinen Songwriter-Geschmack

Standout Track: When the Sun Shone on Vetiver

A really lovely vibe, was just what was needed for a Sunday family board game soundtrack

Thanks Devendra, I'd only ever really heard the 'come out a crab cake' song before this.

Mostly decent. Becomes a bit boring after a while. A generous 3

Poor man's Marc Bolan. His middle name Obi takes after Obi-Wan Kenobi 😂

Very interesting and different than what I expected. Probably won’t listen again but I’ll remember the uniqueness of it.

Really like it. I would like to hear this again soon! 3/5

I like the tone of this album. I like the singer/songwriter with the guitar picking lovely and inventive sequences of notes. The quivering voice is a little hard to get used to. I know who some of Devendra's inspirations are and I would like him better if he were to follow more in their footsteps, delving deeper into the philosophical and life's hidden mysterious things. I enjoyed the album though, it was a pleasant surprise. I will listen to the song Rejoicing In The Hands again, it was good!

A nice listen. Not the liveliest of albums and some of the tracks sound just like the rest, with the standout tracks being at the very beginning and end of the album. A new artist to me, recognised one of the songs from the movie Eagle vs Shark, and will give him a try again

Too much of the same whimsical acoustic guitar noodling. And 45 minutes of that ridiculous vocal..... nah!!

Not for me. Guitar was really good, but the voice is just not my style. Some really weird moments in this album, too.

Very generic. not special. don't mind acoustic guitars but this was not my jam

This didn't appeal to me, as a genre. Some lyrics are quite nice tho

I had never heard of this artist. Interesting music style. But at the end of the album I had heard more then enough of him.

Lo fi. Lo enjoyment.

Hmm. Not my thang.

Pretty mellow though it occasionally takes some weird/quirky turns. I am generally easy to onboard with some alternative/folk, but i'm not a big fan of the delivery/style here.

Shakey Jakey

Kinda derivative folk.

It is simple which makes sense because of the folk genre but I don't see what is special about this album

The more I listen to it, the more I like it. Just wish that I had some psilocybin to make the process complete.

did not listen

While not my favourite style of music I do give an approving nod to the complexities and the beautiful sounds of acoustic guitar finger picking & slides these songs are full of. The album though, is too mellow for me. I just won’t want to sit and actively listen anymore than is needed for me to perform this review. 2 Stars

meh. I wanted to like this more than i did.

Interesting album very easy listening excellent guitar skills but not my cup of tea

Bit samey, tunes aren't bad but the voice is a bit annoying.

I feel like Devandra Banhart is kind of like best-case-scenario for open mic night at the gulf island coffee shop. His vaudeville, psych folk instincts are in turns brilliant and grating. The free-association wordplay is more often pretentious than deep or insightful. I can definitely appreciate him in smaller doses, but the results here are really mixed to my ear. Favourite song: "Todos Los Dolores"

I can appreciate what Banhart is doing on this record, as you can hear the traditional folk influences of Cohen and Jansch, but unfortunately the individual parts don't seem to add up to much. The lyrics seem a little nonsensical, and not in a charming way, but more in a overtly obtuse way. Feels like he's messing around at times without a full vision of what he wants to do, like scraps of paper in a journal. Fav Tracks: N/A

Lovely guitar picking. Some good indie/folk tunes. Not keen on his voice.

oh putain du folk je vais pas aimer fav : insect eyes ?

Not as good as I remembered. Quite plodding and not very memerable

Acoustic folk, not bad!

Quirky, acoustic Woodstock-esque, but there’s one or two gems in there if you stick with it.

First time listening: 4/16 songs liked. Eh. Old folk music is my thing, but modern folk singers tend to inflect a weird tone in their singing voice that doesn't vibe with me. Mumford and sons, while I like them a lot, have that voice too. No songs saved

Boring.

Favourite songs- Autumn's Child, This Is the Way. Just got a bit boring- so many tracks, that all sound quite similar. Love some of the songs though.

Guess my brain just lacks the correct neurochemicals to find this music appealing. There isn't a single anchor point here to make me want to listen to this kind of folk.

trökigt men med känsla

2/5 can't really say I liked it.

Spent most of this album thinking "what the heck is he going on about?!". Lovely sounding guitar playing, but felt like some weird passive aggressive overtones going on here.

Total ass. The music was nice, the singing was awful.

Look at this nerd

Very boring. This was a harsh let down after Stevie Wonder yesterday, damn. It was pleasant enough to have on while I fed my son breakfast this morning but I don’t care about it or for it at all.

Well this is a laugh a minute.

Cantautor. No de mi gusto

4/10. I don't understand what's supposed to make this good.

meh

eh, good songwriting

Not my thing

Started off nice and felt pleased of getting a low key album. But then as it went on I got bored and more irritated.

twang twang twang, random lyrics, twang twang twang

Started off ok and had some glimpses of enjoyable but overall couldn't wait for it to be over. 1.6

I didnt enjoy this. I might move if I was at a coffee shop.

This is the way opens up the album in a boring folk way… ( actually I normally do track by track reviews but I’am not feeling it today so I’ll just sum up my feelings after I’ve herd the album). Okay so here we have a middle class poshie that tries to act all hipster by singing like an old man and spurting the strangest lyrics to some actually decently picked acoustic guitars. I personally believe that all of this combined makes quite a boring experience overall not providing much sonic verity across the tracklist ( all 16 songs!) And yeah even if the average length for a given song is around 2 minutes 16 songs feels like way too long and he should’ve honed in on around 10-12 of them extending their run time to improve the experience. But yeah I don’t think it’s dreadful no where near one of the worst albums ever but still a 2/5.

Hmmm...captivating at first, then it remains more of the same to my ears.

This is so 2004 it’s crazy.

Awful - managed 3 tracks.

Some cool guitar lines, but I can't stand the voice, seemingly a large part due to the vibrating style. Some songs want me to give this 2 stars, but I feel this was worse than Murmur.

Sounds like a rough demo rather than a fully realised album. Quite poor.

no please, folk == not it chief

plain bland mild boring samey. not one redeeming quality. especially dislike his voice and the weird inflections. 44 albums in, this is the one ive disliked the most so far.

Not a good album. I wanted to skip most of the songs.

Wikipedia describes this as "psychedelic folk", which - I guess? A few interesting progressions among the dissonance, like the glimmer of light in a Bartók piece.

Nope. After 3.5 songs... Just nope.

No idea what this might be. Some kind of indie/folk/religious thing? The cover has me stumped. Oh god it's folk rock, and it's someone in 2004 trying to sound retro and 60s. Dude's voice started out annoying and only got worse. Songs were just nothing - same thing repeated over and over. Another fine addition to the list lol. 1/5.

Weird modern folk. Was not a fan

This album was a rough listen. It has the dubious honour of being the first one I haven't remotely enjoyed.

Sounds like the same song over and over

Couldn't finish this album

Pretentious, hipster, an obvious rich kid slumming it.

Non mi piace la voce che vuole spiegarmi come vivere la mia vita, almeno non in un album. Oddio, peggiora anche, in 'Poughkeepsie' comincia ad avere qualche problema strano. Ma dai, ma cosa sta dicendo, ma che schifo. Pessimo

Pretty bad. Not musical. Not interesting.

Odd

Torture

No.

Don't think I would listen to this again.

Annoying, repetitive riffs and vocals. His voice is not fun to listen to. Bleh.

Loada wank.

Fuuuuck hvað þetta er leiðinlegt. Hreimur og fraseringar drepa mig

I don't like their voice. I really don't like this. Yep, still don't like it even with it being in spanish and 4 and a half songs to go. This folk singer songwriter sound has never appealed to me and its sort of nice to know that it still very much does not.

I don’t really like his concert. Nice guitar licks and really poignant lyrics. To clarify, some of the lyrics are poignant he said buhbuhbuh maybe 20 times.