Reviews (page 4 of 8)
Nice.
There have been a number of albums on this list so far of a single person singing folk music with either guitar or piano. They’ve always been fine. Until this album. I don’t know what it was about this album, but this one just did it for me. The guitar had a dark and frantic energy, and the vocals weren’t too smooth, but also weren’t overly jarring. Everything just worked. This has been one of my favorite discoveries for an album and artist I had never heard of before.
I didn't like it much, would not recommend this album to anyone
It's not bad....but it ain't good :/ A few above average songs, Autumn's Child is one of them...the only one I can remember...I swear there were 2 or 3 others I thought were good....maybe it was my imagination and that's the only good song lmao.
This album is very twee. I’ve heard worse but not much. Overall I was bored and waiting for it to end. There was no stand out here - it all sucked. 2
I love Devandra Banhart, and while I like this album, pretty much all his other albums are better.
Different, but i liked it. Modern psychedlic folk.
Langweilig
Bonus points for a fun album cover. The album itself was...fine. I mostly enjoyed it while I was tuned in, but that wasn't often; it's hard for something this subdued to break through while I'm working.
Folk, 60eme album =>1/5
Awful. Genuinely unpleasant to listen to.
(Note: I know I clicked "Save" multiple times after finishing this review yesterday but turning my computer on this morning I can see portions missing. That's annoying. I've tried to replace them from memory.) Have seen the name a lot but never checked out his stuff. I like this! Reminds me of Donovan or someone else I can't put my finger on from the '60s. Saw T. Rex comparisons online but not sure that's it. Hmm.... Mungo Jerry? Nick Drake! The sparse accompaniment and the vocal effects (but not the actual vocals) remind me of Nick Drake. That's it. A happier Nick Drake. "Autumn's Child" strongly reminded me of Sufjan Stevens. About halfway through the album I am not sure if this is something I can listen to constantly but seems like something I would enjoy popping up in a mix. The closers ("Insect Eyes" into "Autumn's Child") were my favorite part of this album.
1/1
zwei bis drei Beginnt gut dann wirds fad
Don't know what to say
I have heard Devendra Banhart before, but I never listened to a full album, and I have to say that, as someone that IS a fan of folk, indie folk, and even some psychedelic folk, this album doesn't do much for me. The album is not bad, and there are a couple really good songs, but I also thought there were quite a few boring songs, and the whole experience failed to capture me - either via the lyrics or the music.
Ok
Guitar work was good. Melodies were pretty. But can’t stand his cursive, bleating singing.
I don't know why I love this so much but I do. This is the way.
Devendra Banhart has largely passed me by for some reason, although on the evidence of this record, I don't feel like I've missed a great deal. The worst bits sound like songs that Donovan threw away, but the better moments put me in mind of Sufjan Stevens. It's an interesting enough record in places and I think if I'd paid attention to it at the time, it would have made a more positive impression. As it is, I find the vocal stylings overly-affected, and a bit annoying, and the whole thing just left me wondering if I could make my own Album You Must Hear Before You Die. (I couldn't).
I feel like I am missing something. Perfectly fine indie mumblings but what on earth is there to justify being on this list?
nice
When I saw that this album was produced by Swans leader Michael Gira, it made me apprehensive. Swans music is noisy, weird, and often boring as hell. This album is just boring. After a couple of tunes, you know what this album is and it doesn't change up at all. I've met both Gira and Banhart and will be just fine if I don't encounter either one again. Banhart was polite, but not particularly engaging. Gira is just an asshole.
Boring, pretentious indie crap. Not sure why there's so many of these albums on this list. They aren't essential listening by any means. Best songs: Nil
muito ruim filho puta que pariu representa mta coisa que eu abomino musicalmente
começou e eu achei que seria menos pior do que pensei que seria. na metade, vi que tava errado. é pior. só nao vo dar um porque o mano morou uma época na venezuela e tem uma música em espanhol.
Each track on its own is pleasant and enjoyable to listen to. Two tracks together are annoying. A whole album seriously grates. A shame
Sounded like a sad dude with a guitar but in a modern kinda way. Didn't do anything for me for good or bad. 2.5/5
I missed this when it was new, but recognized a couple tracks from TV/Movies. I was entertained all the way through, even if a few of the tracks could have been edited out.
I just didn't find a song that I liked.
Didn't listen
Devendra's middle name is Obi, taken from the Star Wars character, which should give you a good idea what kind of household this guy grew up in - I can only imagine that the arts were emphasized, that he was encouraged to be 'different,' etc. Nothing wrong w/ that - in fact that sort of parenting ought to be adopted by each and everyone. What I'm trying to get at is my ambivalence w/ this record - it seems he's more affected artiste than real folk artist. That's not to say there aren't any good songs here, tho nothing strikes me as great, or eloquent lyricism: 'We've had a choice / We chose rejoice'; 'This is our father / And this is how he strayed.' It's to say I don't buy his cabaret number. I'd like this most at a cafe in Bennington, Vermont.
Mm
не зашло.
2/10
Absolutely love this! The sparse arrangements along with his voice give this album a mystical quality.
I didn’t hate it
Contemporary Folk has not sounded this good in so long, and that is why I am so excited to be covering this stunningly beautiful album from Rejoicing in the Hands by Devendra Banhart for the 1001 albums to hear before I die challenge. Much like what @DREscapePlan stated this album is "A nice, serene, campfire-y record that's perfect for October and only October." It is warm and flickers with pieces of sharp songwriting but for the most part settles down as being quite enjoyable. Devendra's vocals are so sweet and mix beautifully with his soft strumming all throughout the project. While Devendra may get a bit lost in the music here from time to time, I still feel he has such a nice grasp on the feelings he provides all throughout this project. It is a straightforward and stripped down album that will surely hit if you are a sucker for any Folk music as a whole. Not a standout project by any means, but just a really good time through and through.
Never got into him
Boring. Maybe two good songs but no energy in a lot of the album.
According to Wiki the only people to listen to this are a few Belgians, who, obviously, didn't know better.
Not great.
Weird but I listened to the whole thing. Not sure what I thought about it, but I gave it 2 stars.
Tried so hard to like this album. How is this album on the fucking list. They be letting anybody make music in the 21st. All these pseudo-ratings who are giving this album a 4 or 5 is absolutely ridiculous. Just wasted 42 minutes of my life.
I found this quite boring. It started out ok but it finished flat.
I was pleasantly surprised by this. A great folk record.
My sphincter closes in upon itself any time I'm recommended an artist I've never heard of and see that the album contains 16 songs. Luckily, most are around the 2-3 minute mark, so relax down there. The whole thing reeks of New York Hipster. It's almost certain the guy has copious facial hair. It's sparse to the point of boredom, dull, repetitive, but without any hypnotic quality. This is America begging for another Dylan. But it's just some guy with a guitar, like you will find in any street on any town in the US. It's like if Woody Allen was a folk singer instead of a pedo.
I was optimistic because the album was listed as psychedelic folk music but there was nothing psychedelic about it. It was just a dude and a guitar. Just folk music. Quite boring
ugh
I know some people like this album. I for one care less for it.
If you pitch shift Devendra Banhart and his guitar up a couple of octaves you get Tiny Tim and his Ukulele. This is no where near the brilliance of TT's opus 'Rock' (1993), maybe Devendra need to focus his vibrato on 23 minutes versions of Rebel Yell.
I really liked it at first, but then it started getting really avante garde and annoying.
I was expecting a different sound from psychedelic pop - not unpleasant. 3.
YEEE S YEEEEEEEESSSSSS DIDNT KNOW HE WAS ON THIS LIST YEEEES OMG YES
Nevver heard of this dude but saw he was a folk singer and got excited. Then I listened. He is no John Prine or Woody Guthrie and that is all I can say about that. Pretty subpar.
This seems to get compared to Joanna Newsom quite a bit, but I enjoyed this album a lot more. His voice is still divisive like Newsoms, but I could actually enjoy this. The songs being a lot shorter and concise helps too. It's a bit monotonous at times, but the albums length and amount of songs keeps it bearable. Guitar playing here is excellent and I did like a few songs here and there. Interesting enough listen, although I wouldn't rank it as one of the 1001 essentials.
I really liked this to start with but how did it feel a million hours long? Despite being 40 minutes, feels like 20 minutes would have been the perfect length.
Didn't think I would like it - but it's a vibe
This Is the Way 3.4 A Sight to Behold 3.2 The Body Breaks 3 Poughkeepsie 3 Dogs They Make Up the Dark 3 Will Is My Friend 3 This Beard Is for Siobhan 3.2 See Saw 2.8 Tit Smoking in the Temple of Artesan Mimicry 3.3 Rejoicing in the Hands 3.1 Fall 3.2 Todos los Dolores 3.3 When the Sun Shone on Vetiver 3 There Was Sun 3.2 Insect Eyes 3.3 Autumn's Child 3.1 Score: 3.13125
I really enjoyed a few of the songs on this, however when it's bad it's really bad. It's a 2.5.
Truly difficult to get through this record. The pace is plodding, the guitar repetitive, his vocals irritating.
It's hard to like music where it's just a guy and a guitar when you don't like the guy's voice.
I didn't like this much and found some of it quite boring, but never quite reached the "reach for the skip button" to me.
42 minutes? You could've fooled me--this felt like an hour and a half. Devendra Banhart is a folk musician that brings me fond memories of nasal Bob Dylan. Most times, the album and its acoustic sound were peaceful enough, but I was so bored that it doesn't deserve a 2. I mean, some of the vocals were so soft they sounded like ASMR.
Yeah, this album was really not a vibe. It reeks of that weird 2000s+ folk vibe where the singer tries to be as weird as possible with his vocals. It just didn't appeal. Some of the guitar work was nice and I probably would have enjoyed it a lot if it had not been for the vocals. But I digress.
Mellow singer/songwriter. Generally just an acoustic guitar but a good picker, little bit of a classical/flamenco flair to the picking.
3/10 Guess I was in a bad mood today, otherwise might have gotten a 2, but I just have no time for this pretentious bullshit atm. The quiver in his voice... I just cant.
3/5. A unique and quiet album of songs that almost sound like demos, all recorded in a big room with crushing weight of production. It feels like the singer is trying to either break free or allowing the water to push them under, through the instrumentation and lyrics. It sounded familiar and when I checked the people involved, it made so much sense that Michael Gira of Swans was included. And then I saw this list doesn't have a single Swans album and that's criminal. Back to the album, it was unique and enjoyable but I don't know if it's offering a lot to be part of this list. Or maybe I'm just a little salty about the Swans snub so I'll give it the benefit of the doubt. Best Song: See Saw, Poughkeepsie, Will Is My Friend
A little spare for me -- add a bass! or a drum line! or harmonies! -- but not unpleasant
This album felt a lot longer than 42 minutes. Further proof the "guy with an acoustic guitar" is my least favorite music genre.
Listen, I *like* folk. This, though, was dismal. It tastes like the bottom of a cup of tea when the bag has burst. Around the part where the song just became a stutter for several seconds, I thought Spotify may have actually broken. Impressive.
Sounds very 2004. That annoying way of singing was very popular then. It's not the worst they could pick. To be fair this was slightly ahead of the curve. Some songs are alright. Favorite song: dogs they make up the dark
This peaceful Folk album reminds me of the "Juno" movie soundtrack. It would have been fine when I was an 18 year old college student walking on campus while some hipster plays this on campus, but listening to an entire album of it gets old after awhile. Favorite Track: "A Sight To Behold".
Fairly clever just a bit tedious after a while.
Has some potential. I can see the eclectic few really enjoying this, but I found it a little unbearable after a few songs. Musically is alright, vocals are just not. 2.
Might have liked it a little more if it wasn’t so long. Also, what’s so special? Why did I have to listen to this before I died? I think I would have been ok had I not.
It's fine. Didn't hate it, don't know why it deserves a spot on this list though.
No, not rejoicing at all.
I enjoyed this one - really different and overall lovely.
A beautiful voice I never heard before
This is very enjoyable. I dont know where the "psychedelic" part comes in, it just sounds like good folk. I like this.
His name had me wanting to listen to Vashti Bunyan, and suddenly, there she is! Unfortunately, that just makes me want to quit listening to this and start listening to Just Another Diamond Day instead. Probably he was one of the first with this indie folk sound, but it still sounds like cliche college radio filler, I'm afraid.
Liked, didn't love. Not sure it's something I'd revisit.
Never heard this one before, but enjoyed. Some great guitar picking.
It was just okay. I didn’t mind the light folky indie music but it definitely lent into the cursive singing/indie songwriter sound that gets old after a while. It was fine for a once through but I will not revisit.
Weird - just weird.
This was the weirdest album ever. Lyrics and timing were all off, but it was the most gentle and beautiful acoustic guitar track ever. Nothing made sense it seemed like a weird freestyle thing ? Anyways it was very creative and beautiful sounding but some songs were just unbearable…
This one’s tighter than piss !
Another "why the hell is this album on the list?" selection. Decent guitar but this was tedious
Very little rejoicing from me here, whether in the hands or elsewhere.
Instantly forgettable.
Now I like me a bit of alternative folk music, but 1001% not this. At best I’ll say that there is a decent guitar player in there, but it’s all a bit like that Eric Morecombe sketch e.g. I’m a brilliant musician, but I just struggle with putting the notes in the right order. And by christ, the voice, is he just trying out different versions of comedy voices for a laugh, it’s so so so grating. After 400 albums I think might be the one I’ve wanted to skip tracks the most, just awful. Come back Pere Ubu, all is forgiven.
Thinks he’s a cross between Donovan and Louden Wainwright III. Born forty years too late - they covered this back in the 60s and 70s so not sure he’s influencing. Awful album cover, just made me cringe.
Banhart isn't good at singing in tune, and it's very distracting. I wonder if people only enjoy his voice because it's different, rather than because it's technically strong. There's so much wobble and quaver, particularly in the opening track, that it feels like his neck could disintegrate at the slightest breeze. There are very few musical elements to key into other than Banhart's vocal. There's the acoustic guitar, plucked slowly (almost lazily) in pretty much every track. There's the occasional second vocalist harmonising with the first, creating some standout moments. Sometimes – rarely – you hear the odd string or percussion instrument. The trouble is, aside from those standout moments, the whole thing is a bit monotonous. The songs' melodies are varied, but they're doing the heavy lifting. Everything else is one strange yet bland flavour. Truth be told, I found myself enjoying more than half the tracks. The songs A Sight to Behold (good strings and fluttery, dynamic feel) and Fall (many instruments keep the texture interesting), in particular, are strong. But for something to make it onto the list of the 1001 most important albums of all time, I need more than that. It needs to be all killer and no filler. 2/5 Key tracks: A Sight to Behold, This Beard Is for Siobhan, Fall
9/10
Quirky folk and I can't really decide what I think of it. I... think... I like it. I'll need to give this a 3 but it may deserve a 4.
Smooth album but I could’ve done without it tbh.
I know him from Nick and Norah's infinate playlist. Dogshit movie.
This isn't bad, but I really have no idea why this album is on this list. In fact, I would probably say that I like this, but it doesn't really measure up to the actual good albums on this list. And the Wikipedia blurb here, doesn't imply this has any large cultural impact. Okay, I really love the song "Rejoicing in the Hands". That song is pretty special and is enough to bump this up a half a star or so for me personally. Yeah, there's nothing particularly special or unique about this album. I like it, and if I had to make a list of my favorite 1,000+ albums (which that's A LOT), it would be on the borderline of making/falling off. But I'm not sure if the general public needs to listen to this before they die. It's pretty standard modern guy and a guitar album. Favorite Song(s): Rejoicing in the Hands.
Never heard of this one before. After getting over my initial surprise that Devendra Barnhart is a man, I proceeded to first become hypnotized and then obsessed by this absolutely wonderful flurry of ideas. Listening to Rejoicing In The Hands has made me 10x more excited for what other hidden gems this 1001 Albums business may cough up. Rolling Stone Magazine watch: One instance on the album Wikipedia page. Receives my first 5-star review
I associate this album with patchouli and bad times
Boring but okay folk music.
I really wanted to like this, the guitar reminds me of so many artists that I really enjoy from this era. Unfortunately, this album is not one of them.
Slow tunes, good vocals, not my jam really but I respect it
Pleasant 2.5/5
Decent. Not quite my thing.
I somehow missed Devendra Banhart back in the day, but I certainly remember the name. It may have made more of an impact back then. This was really pleasant but nothing transcendent here.
Pleasant, but a little boring.
3.5
I guess psychedelic folk is the best way to describe this... it's odd. I was fine with it but when I got to Poughkeepsie I really didn't want to listen to the album anymore. Some of the songs after were decent, but I just did not love this one. Glad it's over.
Well wasn’t that just delightful. At least mostly.
I liked the first few songs, but then it started on the experimental acoustic vaudeville stuff and guys voice became more and more grating.
Good Album. Nothing notable nothing bad. Only song that made me feel a little off was Poughkeepsie. Rest of it was nice to listen to. A little slow for me though.
Beautiful singer-songwriter music! Fingerpicking acoustic guitar stuff, sparse arrangements, impactful lyrics. Some of the guitar parts I really like, but this kind of downtempo music is something that I rarely listen to nowadays.
Boring.
Why does bro sound like a geriatric jimmy stewart
2.5 - Meh
Unbearably twee af.
No wonder this album gets hate — when half the list is classic rock and new wave and it’s written exclusively for English toots who grew up in the 70s, indie folk probably makes most of these numbnuts want to choke a liberal. High school me would have eaten this shit up. Current me still mostly does. Pretty beautiful. Wonderful guitar work. Interesting songwriting. Very enjoyable listen.
Love defenders, one of my favorite artists of his era
There are 2-3 good songs on here and the rest is mind numbingly boring.
Might come back to revise score, because there are a few tracks I've listened to again, POUGHKEEPSIE, THIS BEARD IS FOR SIOBHAN and INSECT EYES that left a positive imprint in my brain. There's something there, there, but can't describe, aside from recognizing the idiosyncratic vocals and lyrics.
Very relaxing but also complex enough to get lost in
Meh
a coffee shop guitar, quirky lyrics album
So it's all very pretty and boring. And the voice is reeeeally annoying.
Listened to this a few times, and I really like it. Wistful, folky and dreamy, some fine guitar work too
Album builds as it moves through its 16 brisk tracks.
There's nothing here to be excited about. All run of the mill from the vocals to the instrumentals, the melodies and the lyrics. A couple songs with percussion were partially interesting but couldn't save hearing an artist who enjoys nothing more than the sound of their own voice.
I don't like folk music, but the psychedelic elements make it somewhat interesting.
Devendra Devendra Devendra. creative solo 🎸 +voice, nice artist
“Doing” countries; American Spirit; photo booths; speakeasies; filters; berets; moustaches; Coachella; craft; small batch; selvedge; Michael Cera; turn ups; Ginsberg; bicycles; skateboards; whimsy; beards; daisies; bangs; whiskey; pensiveness; festivals; Zoey Deschanel; Maison Kitsune. It’s sounds from that specific cul-de-sac of culture where it’s always thin echoes, all the time. Rightly or wrongly, at the time it was ‘The Dead End of Western Civilisation(TM)’ … what a whimper we’d have been going out with had we not found a way past it.
Generated this: who is this? Listened to it: why is it here? It's just bang average bland hipster folk. I gave it another listen and his voice was even more annoying the second time around with the forced, over-the-top vibrato and just a total lack of variation.
I love that it shows how creative and expressive a guy with a guitar can be. This does not sound normal. But it’s not so jarring as to be unlistenable modern-art crap. It’s weird enough to shock you into paying attention, but once it has you, it takes you somewhere fascinating. - It has an incredible lo-fi, “found” aesthetic that reminds me of The Creek Drank the Cradle (2002 — a touch earlier). But I love that!
some real white people shit
his voice is really annoying ngl its super shaky and it sounds like he recorded it in his basement and even if we overlook that, the songs themselves are not good truly ass 0/10
havent felt this emotionally connected to an album since jeff buckley
It's unique to say the least. Little messy here and there, but I enjoyed it.
Never heard this one or the artist. Nice listening music. Would look for more from artist but not sure I’d listen to entire album again
Never heard this one or the artist. Nice listening music. Would look for more from artist but not sure I’d listen to entire album again
First album! From plane home from Nashville !
Nothing special about this listen whatsoever
tralalalala
I made it about halfway through the record. Not for me.
Don't quit your day job
2.5 its fine
Some interesting acoustic arrangements here, but it felt very one-note by the time it was finished. The generally wayward and vibrato style of the vocals didn't grow tiresome, though; they complement the darker parts of this album quite well. I enjoyed this, but didn't get much out of it after my first listen.
His voice is extremely annoying at first, but once you get used to it works pretty well, wrapping itself around the melodies and heightening the strange affect of the songs. The guitar work and sparse string arrangements are really fantastic. It's cool when folk music is a living tradition with new iterations to articulate it with new musical contexts rather than a fossilized museum genre replaying the same stuff over and over, so respect to DH for that.
A bit dull
I enjoyed the music, the production was nice, in places low-fi and kinda unfiltered. On the whole the music didn't do that much for me, and the album as a whole didn't feel tight enough, just a random collection of songs.
Ruhig, gute Video Hintergrund Musik, perfekt für lauwarme Mai Abende an denen die Sonne tief steht
this was fully new to me, album and artists, and it was a nice listen!
Hated it Fav song: Poughkeepsie
This was a solid folkish album. Pretty enjoyable to me.
Definitely different and incredible sound. Really enjoyed it.
Light acoustic easy listening.
An interesting album that sounded familiar to me for some reason but none of the songs quite clicked with what I remembered. A decent album but don't think I'd go back and listen to it, as it was a weird kind of lo-fi ish that didn't really resonate with me
the best Marc Bolan tribute I've heard in a while
A Nice surprise. Listened to it in a 12k run on a light rain day, which may have influenced my feelings about this album. It has some elements of Nick Drake's Pink Moon, such as the melancholy and the simplicity, but you can also find some pinches of The Doors, especially on There Was The Sun and Insect Eyes Overall, a low to mid 7/10, like 7,4/10
It's not for me. His voice doesn't hit my ear nicely, and the music is too sparse to speak to me at all.
What a beautiful voice! These songs were super chill, I enjoyed it 4 ⭐️
No me ha gustado nada
This album sucks. I don’t know if this guy is trying to be poverty Bob Dylan or what, but his voice sucks, the songwriting sucks, it just sucks.
Light psychedelic folk. Warbly-ness is more restrained than I remember from the stuff of his I heard at the time. Decent.
couple of nice songs but ultimately not my prefered genre
Not terrible, but also not really my thing. The Body Breaks was my favorite, but I had a hard time to focus on the music as a whole. Gounod everything a bit boring.
Beautiful album but also quite Restrictive in its adherence to a sound.
Hadn’t heard of this guy before this. I lost patience for the pretty bland folk/americana quickly and stopped after 3 songs, maybe it got better after that.
2.0 If Tom Waits was a big time pussy, this is what he would sound like
Thoughts before listening: Indie rock wierdo folkie. I once told my cousin that he should check out Devendra Banhart because I wanted to impress him with how cool I was...thing is I've still to this day never actually heard Devendra's music, I just knew he was getting a lot of praise from music sites. Guess I can now figure out if this was a solid recommendation or not. Review: I stand by my rec. This is weird for sure, but I like it. There is lots of emotion in these songs which is resonating with me. I see where the sparse instrumentation and warbly vocals could be a turn off for some, but its working for me. Not too far off from stuff I enjoyed around this same time like Iron and Wine or Bright Eyes. A few songs are going on the playlist and I'll give this 3-stars because while I do like quite a bit of it, there are some songs that get a little too out there.
A boring, sleepy album that really didn't go anywhere or do anything for me. 3/10
Starts well - thought I was going to like it - and then.... Meh!
Every decade or so someone comes along to hearken back to an older age. I hear Tiny Tim and Redbone and The Raconteurs in here. A fun snack, but not a meal.
Chill and vibey, sort of exactly what I needed that day.
Nice, quiet, Sunday morning tunage.
A bit more indie than I care for
Started off ok but then it fizzled for me.
I forgot about this guy. Some good stuff here. Album is too long though
Not my jam.
Amazing folk album, reminds me of something from the washington oregon era, mount eerie, etc
4/10
3/5
"Rejoicing in the Hands" is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Devendra Banhart. Acoustic and folk rock are the Wiki-listed genres. Yep. Banhart plays bass, guitars and piano and is the lead vocalist. Other contributors included Vashti Bunyan (vocals), Paul Cantelin (vocals), Thor Harris (percussion, vibraphone), Julia Kent (cello), Joe McGinty (organ, piano) and Steve Moses (percussion, drums). The album received universal acclaim. "This is the Way" opens the album. Acoustic guitar and a tenor voice. He chooses to rejoice. I don't know why I was expecting a baby Yoda reference. The folk guitar pervades "A Sight to Behold." Some nice finger-picking and a cello is added. The guitar reminded me of early Leonard Cohen. An eerie atmosphere. Banhart shows his ability to slow the song down in "The Body Breaks." Now he reminds me of Sufjan Steven's. The lone instrumental "Tit Smoking in the Temple of Artesan Mimicry" is essentially bluegrass. Is anyone editing his song titles? The self-titled "Rejoicing in the Hands" also gives a bluegrass vibe. This is slower with Bunyan on co-lead vocals. A song about simply being with someone. A spiritual feeling. The longest song at five minutes "Insect Eyes" has Banhart dreaming of a girl and comparing her body parts to various plants, insects and the sun. Yes, he's gone psychedelic. The music on this album is mostly stark with an acoustic guitar and selective added instruments. One of the highlights is his finger-picking and bluegrass ability. The lyrics are minimal and tend to be observational and somewhat spiritual and poetic. I had trouble with any sort of deeper meaning in them. The most trouble I had though was with Banhart's voice. He actually has a nice tenor or at least he did in the first song. But, he shapes it in a lot of these songs and it sounds like Adam Sandler singing the "Chanukah Song." Once I made that association, I could not get it out of my head and his voice became very irritating. Therefore, I had issues with the album overall. But, the album did received universal acclaim and he can play guitar. So, if you like a bluegrass or folk, you might like it if you can get over what I couldn't.
It’s pleasant folk/alternative music. Do not feel like I can die now.
1/1
Listens to it three times.
I've never wanted so much to like an album that I absolutely hated.
Madonna certainly had her finger on the pulse of the moment. While I wasn’t crazy about this album when it dropped (vivid memories of changing the radio station when the title track would come on), I have come to appreciate Madonna as an artist in my old age and this music feels like it has taken on a new life for me at 43. This not only captures late 90s pop, but it does so authentically and with panache.
Mixed feelings. Not bad; not good. Overall, I’m going with not particularly good.
5.5/10
Day562 - i’m a fan of a lot of folk and i gave this a real shot. i might even try it again. down the road.
Folk Rock? You must be having a laugh. I generally like this genre but I recognise nothing on this album to give it the right to be classed alongside the Folk Rock giants. Just a fellow with an annoying voice and simple guitar style inflicting his untalented musings on us all. Will have to listen to my Fairport Convention albums to cleanse my ears. 1/5 20/7/25
Easy folk listen. Really liked a lot of the lyricism and imagery throughout the album, but over all was pretty bored. Also ended up flipping from disliking Banhart’s particular vocal quality to wanted more by the end so that was cool. That being said I enjoyed the instrumental tracks a little more than the rest. Fav Track: Tit Smoking In The Temple Of Artesan Mimicry
Decent enough
I've never heard of this artist. I very much enjoyed this and will listen to more of his catalog. In particular, for a folk album in the 2000s, when a lot of artists were coming forth in the acoustic, alternative bluegrass, whatever you call it genres, I wish this hadn't been lost on me.
Pretty solid album. Reeks of Joanna Newsom influence tho. 6/10 Favourite: Fall Least Favourite: Tit Smoking
kinda disappointed in this, went in expecting it to be weird but no its a guy who wants to make weird folk but doesn't commit
This is why I do this crazy project! This was a beautiful sonic experience that I never would have listened to otherwise.
Pretty boring, didn't enjoy...
The Good: We get to rejoice!!! The Bad: We were not told that it would be of the tree-hugging kind… The Ugly: Realizing the massive effect that parents choices have on their children’s future… Devendra Obi… really? Never heard of Devendra before, and by the amounts of listens he gets on Spotify, I am not the only one. Prior to listening to the album I started reading the Wiki page, and maybe I should stop doing this as it does color one’s initial reaction… My reaction was “okay, this isn’t half as bad as I’d have thought” But then song #2 starts, and #3, and I am getting ready to hit the skip button. I forget the song name, however, I was reminded about the album Grace by Mr Buckley, who also does that thing with his voice… the difference being that he doesn’t solely rely on this trick, where Obi does. So, I believe that a 2* rating is merrited, and I wish Devendra all the best with his future endeavors...
omg, I love Devendra Banhart! Can't wait to listen to. edit: Great album. forgot how good he is. Need to properly listen to him more.
drony
Good modern folk music album
Not bad songwriting I guess but his voice was not my favorite
This checks a lot of *very* specific boxes that I am looking for in indie folk. The low fidelity production, the unique vocals, the kind of esoteric woodsy vibe, the poetic lyrics. I am also a huge fan of how this album plays it musically loose, it sounds organic without feeling sloppy to me. Basically, this is one that kind of feels like it was tailored to my tastes a little. I will say that while I like every song here, I am not confident that there is anything truly amazing enough from a songwriting perspective to give this the lauded 5, but songs like The Body Breaks, Poughkeepsie, Fall, Insect Eyes, and Autumn's Child really try.
I definitely hear Michael Gira's influence in the production. If you can tolerate Banhart's vocal affectations (I mostly can) and some hippy-dippy lyrics, this a really solid folk album.
Sounds good. Like a more folksy and mystical version of Bob Dylan. Chillin' folk for a Sunday night.
So I guess I've listened to "Freak Folk" now. It's fine. I don't think a single track grabbed me in any appreciable way.
Bland outside one or two songs. This sort of indie hipster exposure is noe extinct. RIP.
that was so twee that my hoodie turned into a cardigan while i listened
Well his guitar was pretty good and had some interesting sounds and concepts, but his voice drove me crazy. Pretty out there album, not for me
Bland acoustic guitar music with nonsensical lyrics that would underwhelm if played at a dentist's office.
Tough one. Bad voice yet Nick Drake like guitar playing. It’s like a minimalist Lumineers
Not for me
Fascinating little album that I enjoyed more than I probably should have. Folk undertones with some delicious menace woven through.
Had me pretty good, but a few songs missed
I could get into this if I listened more.
Not really a fan of this. It felt like it slowed down everything around me.
There's something not-of-its-time about this; like a Donovan or Incredible String Band record from 30+ years earlier. Or a slightly less likeable James Yorkston. Not quite freak-folk, if pretty freaky nonetheless. Interesting and pleasant enough.
It's a beautiful album overall, I think but I'm not going to return to it often. I did insert it into a playlist I have that is mostly instrumental music, since it felt like it fit there.
Neat for others. Not me. 1 star
I can find most i like in all music but this sort of stuff holds nothing for me. Just wanky, up its self, hippy dippy, hipster shite! Fuck Off!
This album feels like it was discovered in a mossy drawer of some forgotten forest cabin — fragile, hushed, and strangely timeless. Banhart’s warbling voice and fingerpicked guitar create a world that’s part lullaby, part hallucination. The lo-fi intimacy draws you in without asking for attention, and before you realize it, you're lost somewhere between folk tradition and dream logic. 𝘙𝘦𝘫𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 isn't always immediate, but it's quietly absorbing — like something ancient that's only just now remembered how to sing.
I mean this is decent folk music, but not groundbreaking nor do I (or anyone) needs to hear it before I die. 3/5
im pleasantly surprised by it being folk, (ephrath will kill me if i dont like it though). its fine, i might jus rate it a 3 and move on with my life. Im happy its as short as it id given im writing this review from the rate yr previous album page due to oversleeping and waking up at like 7PM with like an hour to do the project. It lowkey gets better as it keeps going. Will os my friend has a cool title (will wood reference?????), its also a good song but thats less important. yeah this is a three if ive ever seen one (3.5 on rym). looking at the cover it kinda reminds me of Mahashmashana in a good way (can that be done in a bad way?). overall its fine when i said 3.5 i really meant three.
Some tears ago I used to work at a hippie co-op grocery store type place. Lots of natural supplements and the smell of patchouli was around always. While I liked the people I worked with very much, we didn't share many of the same tastes in a lot of things. I suspect many employees of that store would have liked this. I didn't.
i understand why some may not like this but i enjoyed the warmth and authenticity
Some undeniably beautiful sounds and musicianship...but this was just too slow and repetitive for me.
Not really my thing.
I'd heard of the artist, but never listened to much of his work, so the album was new to me. Thought it was very fine and beautiful, and full of feeling. Excellent find for me, and I'll go back to it. 4.5 ⭐
This kinda feels like an attempt to channel a modern Cat Stevens vibe, but just doesn't have the same charm. Too many followers for me too, sorry Dev
Cozy vibes.
Wikipedia calls this psychedelic folk and I dig it. Love a Latino American folk artist Enjoyed This is the way, Dogs they make up the dark, This Beard is for Siobhan (love the repetitive motif at the end), Todo Los Dolores (false start is endearing and I love the song), Insect Eyes. Overall I really enjoyed this one and appreciate the artist's style. Totally new discovery for me and curious about his other works.
Stop it right now. The guitar is nice, but the vocals? holy god, stop.
This album is an old favorite of mine. It's one of the albums that I know are on the list, so I've been waiting for it to appear. For 602 albums! Exactly what I want in a folk-adjacent album. 4.5
too of a time for me, but i enjoyed some moments from it
let me guess: Pitchfork really loved this, didn't they
i don’t listen to much folk, but this is a really cool experimental folk record, the short songs make it easy to digest, the vocals were great and the raw instrumentation sounded great too, really good
Taking a star off for the vocals, blech
I didn't like this and found it rather boring. It's not sonically bad, it just didn't make me feel anything besides bored. I would go easier on it if this album was from the 60s or 70s, which is where it would fit, but it's from the 2000s and could be better. I don't know why this album is on this list.
Like being locked in a library full of hipsters and an overabundance of facial hair.
I had it in my head that Devendra Banhart was kind of weird and out there. But the start of “Rejoicing in the Hands” was pretty standard modern folk. I was digging it. Then “Poughkeepsie” revealed the Banhart I had been expecting. Overall, just a little too weird for me.
It’s refreshing to hear a recent folk album that is interesting and engaging. It’s a little offbeat and I like the vocals. The finger picked guitar is great.
Psych folk always seemed a better idea in concept than execution. Still, this is consistently interesting and mostly original seeming, if also too willfully weird and intentionally off-kilter. One’s full tasting notes mention vague Tom Waits vibes, whiffs here and there of Leon Redbone and darker Drake-ian notes. Also succeeds in being just a little creepy and uncomfortable (partially from the mumbly vibrato effects).
Soft soothing Indy
Freak folk
10/10 I love Banhart’s style so much it’s so fun and weird outsider folk is such an underrated genre
From the jump he creates an interesting atmosphere of slightly dark and brooding folk. Instrumentals are sparse but impactful.
In a span of seconds this was flip flopping from oh wow thats a really cool vibe to please stfu already damn. And within the same song even. Some of the wackier genre stuff i liked. With a full band this woulda felt incohesive with the stranger genres and vibes but with the same textures it matches. Too bad i was also annoyed half the time
had never heard of this artist before, but i really enjoyed it! atmospherically made me want to be sitting in a comfy chair contemplating life, pretty guitar maybe like 3.5?
Pleasant listening even if the vibrato is a little silly, so much so he even had to restart one of the songs
very chill and i liked the folk genre of it
Could have been 4 songs rather than 40 minutes, I do like some of the hippy earthiness of this album but I can’t recall any song I actually liked.
I’m someone who enjoys stripped-down folk music and I did enjoy this. But I’m unclear what sets this album apart from any other stripped-down folk album enough to include on this list.
His wavery voice is intensely irritating (strange - doesn't bother me at all when Joanna Newsom does it, but drives me crazy here). Shame, as it ruins instrumental music I suspect I would quite like otherwise.
bit slow
I was rejoicing when this album ended. It was so long and boring. 1001 album worthy: no - 85/156
Brooding, melancholic, and folksy. Very slow overall, but not a bad sound.
Volklorisches Album mit wenigen Lichtblicken. Ich werde es mir wohl nie wieder anhören.
This was torture to my ears. Sounded like some grandma got herself a guitar and a tape recorder and decided to make an album. How this makes this list is beyond me. I definitely could have gone my whole life never hearing this and it would have been fine, but now I have and it still sucked!
A little strange, but it was all right.
Lumineers meets My Chemical Romance in a unique style that I hated to love.
Yeah I just couldn’t find this enjoyable.
Mouef, background vibe
Like a guy at a party who brings his guitar and then plays for himself in the corner for 48 minutes.
Song 1: :-) Song 2: :-I Song 3: :-\ Song 4: zzzz ... Song 16: zzzz 1.5
Interesting but I didn't like it enough to add it to my library
I do not have high hopes for this album. A lot of short songs though, so that's a plus. This is better than I thought it would be. I like just a man and a guitar. Poughkeepsie is a bad song. I think it was a turning point for this album, everything after it is just getting worse. This is music that takes itself too seriously as music. Even the titles of the songs are pretentious. Tit Smoking in the Temple of Artesan Mimicry is a truly terrible title. It is also the best song on the album. Just cut the outtake, dog, you aren't Bob Dylan. I know you want to sound authentic but it actively works against that because it's so intentional in the context of a studio album, release a live album or a making of album. Oh my god, I took a break in the middle of this and am getting back into this....shockingly bad to jump into again. Even a short album with short songs can seem interminable.
Sooooooo same-y
Fine
The guitarwork is nice, but as an overall experience, this was a bit of a boring album. The singer is not very engaging to me.
I’ve heard the name Devendra Banhart but hav never listened to his music. I was pleasantly surprised with what I heard. It was a great album of folk music. These are the type of albums I like. Vocals and guitar with some backing accompaniment here and there. The songs are simple yet well constructed with well developed with unique lyrics. The lyrics are definitely artsy and advant garde. Some of Devendra’s enunciations are a bit odd but overall it’s a solid performance. My only real complaint is the production that sometimes leaves an odd fade out to a song due to the quiet ambient noise that is in the studio. Favorite songs are “There Was Sun”, “This beard is for Siobhan”, “The Body Breaks”, and “Insect Eyes”.
This is why I wanted to take part in this project. I’ve heard of Banhart before, but have never listened to him. His voice is a bit quirky at times, but it works well with the somewhat minimalist music. Reminds me a bit of Tallest Man on Earth or Keaton Henson. Loved this album. My only issue is that several of the songs are too short
I listened to this album first thing in the morning, so I was not fully awake. I think it plays better that way. It's kind of like when you fall asleep at night watching Tubi, and wake up to the next movie playing, and say to yourself through sleepy eyes, "What the hell am I watching!?" Notable efforts, Poughkeepsie, Fall, and Insect Eyes.
I enjoyed this a little more than I thought I would! The first song has me thinking here we go again another milquetoast post 2000’s album that doesn’t commit to any one sound or idea. But I was wrong! I laugh as I say this, but in a way, once again, Bob Dylan’s influence shows its impressive reach. Armed with mostly just a guitar, Devendra Banhart tells some cool stories and paints some fun pictures, occasionally getting a bit abstract with his choice of paint or technique in which he brushes. Maybe it’s just present in my mind, but “A Sight To Behold” could fit very well into the new season of Last Of Us, with its solemn, rolling acoustic guitar. “Poughkeepsie” has this little one second nugget at the beginning which sounds like an Aphex Twin vocal stab. It’s nothing significant, but it was fun for me. The real highlight of this song is the prolonged stutter at around 1:40 - it’s one of many examples of how he packs a lot of flavor into songs with just some minimal instrumentation. I loved the messaging and vivid imagery of “This Beard Is For Siobhan”. More excellent, eclectic vocal performances in the repetition and pronunciation of “you’re here to get this baby dancing” on “See Saw”. “When The Sun Shone On Vetiver” might be my favorite of all these though, the way the vocal melody rises upward with some accompanying strings and vocalists. This is about as strong of a 3/5 stars I can give. I’m left wanting more, wanting the songs to evolve a bunch. But all in all, with lots of conviction in his deliveries, Devendra shows that he was born to be a performer.
definitely the worst album i've been generated so far
Very nice, modern folk done right
Meh
Must have been removed in the 2021 edition, couldn’t find it in the book. Could hear Nick Drake influences, but not quite there.
I listened to it, it was fine, but confident I'll never listen to it again.
Nope
Just not really my vibe.
Couple stinkers on here, Track 6 is solid, 7 pretty good too - dude is growing on me a little... yeah then 8 hits - not good. track 9... his guitar playing just isn't that interesting or technically impressive. Unless this thing has a strong finish I'm going to have to give him a 2 star for the sake of consistency
Pretty lazy-riffic Will is My Friend ain’t bad Overall an enjoyable enough listen, but not wholly memorable
Fav: Fall Notes: Not for me.
Kind of a nice chill vibe, though nothing is really going to stand out in a good way on this one. Couple clunkers, but I can hang. Kind of a pleasant tickling of the aural passages, makes me wanna lie back and watch the sky.
Interesting but a little strange. Notice myself tuning in and out
First listen
Good for the genre, just didn't love his voice or get drawn into it personally.
Semi fun acoustic music for the most part, but nothing much to write home about. I don't absolutely hate it, though I'm definitely not fussed about anything on here. Best Tracks: - Todo Los Dolores Worst Tracks: - Dogs They Make Up The Dark Rating: 4/10
Never heard of him before, and now I understand why. Right out the gates it's average folky music, a man and his guitar. Nothing new or earth shattering. No hits, nothing real compelling. He has some listens with the first 3 songs averaging about 2M listens and the majority of the other songs at around 500K. Maybe people like his message. Track 4 is crap. By song 6 I was bored to death and nearly asleep. This is SO NOT WORTHY of being on the Top1001 albums. I can't fathom how it made the cut, it sounds like a guy in his basement just thinking up songs ("This Beard Is For Siobhan", "Poughkeepsie") and riffing for his girlfriend who's not all that impressed either. Huge Fail to include this album. One star from me. Not compelling listening.
Not sure what I listened to but I know I don't want to hear it again. Not that it was inherently bad, but it was definitely not for me. 2/5
Feels like this album wouldn't have been out of place around 2010, so 2004 surprised me. High 3 rating. It's fine, but overall meh.
I thought it was a bad combination of Jack Johnson and Bob Dylan. His vocals were warbled and stylized. No sir, I don’t like it.
Yea ok sure. Didn't bother me. Was kind of quirky and weird. Will never revisit. I did like the review of the one person who said its the worst album they've ever heard. All I could think was god bless you on all the brian eno encounters you're about to have on this list. There's WAY WAY WAY worse shit on here than this...
Quirky, whimsical, and pleasant acoustic singer-songwriter tracks. I don't know if this works as an album, what it is all about, or if it is even supposed to be about anything. Nothing I enjoy actively listening to, but I think the album deserves a bonus just for breaking the mold a bit.
Hipster met een gitaar bij een kampvuur en een obsessie voor z'n eigen hipsterbaard. Wel aardig, maar terwijl de vlammen langzaam doven, sukkel je er zelf bij in slaap.
Die trillende stem. Het klinkt bijna digitaal, maar het zal wel het echte stemgebruik zijn. Knap trucje, maar niet om aan te horen. En dat anderhalf uur lang. Of nee, zo voelt het alleen maar. Het is 'slechts' 40 minuten.
Akoestische muziek is vaak hit or miss voor mij, maar als het de juiste snaar raakt, dan kan ik er echt voor gaan zitten. Ik had bij voorbaat bij deze artiest mijn bedenkingen: een plaat uit 2003 waar ik nog nooit van heb gehoord, dat betekent meestal niet veel goeds. Maar ik zette de plaat aan en wist op een of andere manier gelijk dat ik dit wel tof kon gaan vinden. De heldere klanken geven een mooie bezwerende sfeer en de ietwat aparte stem past er gewoon perfect bij. Akoestische folk rock met cuntry invloeden, psychedelische kampvuurmuziek. Ergens is de beste man met de aparte stem en de aparte naam natuurlijk een paar decennia te laat geboren, maar de muziek past ook wel weer in een soort van acoustic revival uit de 00s, met bands als Mumford & Son en Old Crow Medicine Show. Ik luisterde zelf veel naar Dashboard Confessional, die ook een paar heerlijke akoestische platen heeft gemaakt. Dat is meer rocky, of emo, ik vond die muziek toen ik zocht naar the ataris. Al heeft dat niet zoveel met deze muziek te maken, afgezien van het akoestische. Genoeg namedropping, over naar het allesbeslissende oordeel. Hit or miss betekent niet gelijk 1 of 5 sterren, maar ik vind dit leuk om te luisteren, dus wil hier met alle plezier 4 sterretjes voor geven.
I have never heard of this artist before. It was well done, although somewhat repetitive and uninvolving at times. It will be worth another listen, and I might listen to his other albums as well.