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From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

Shadowland

k.d. lang

1988

Buy At Rough Trade
Shadowland
Album Summary

Shadowland is the debut solo album by k.d. lang, released in 1988 (see 1988 in music). The album included her collaboration with Kitty Wells, Loretta Lynn and Brenda Lee on "Honky Tonk Angels' Medley" and was produced by Owen Bradley, who produced Patsy Cline's best-known work.

Wikipedia

Rating

2.86

Votes

9880
Genres
Country
Pop
Singer Songwriter

Reviews

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Fri Sep 10 2021
4

great music for when I’m a sad dyke but want to be country about it. This album definitely dips into being cheesy and maudlin at times, but Lang’s vocal performance is so fantastic that she sells it well enough. weirdly, this album felt a lot longer than 35 minutes. 7/10

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Tue Jan 11 2022
2

Imagine this being your first album. A bunch of cabaret-style country cover songs. This is hotel lobby fodder if I've ever heard it. Has no place on this list. 2/5.

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Wed Jun 30 2021
4

My life has been rather stressful recently, I needed this, lovely listen.

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Thu Sep 30 2021
1

I thought "oh, nice voice, but in the 50s music wasn't really to my taste". Then I saw it was made in 1988! What the fuck? How is it on this list? As a significant throwback karaoke album? Nope.

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Fri Dec 10 2021
5

The album is good K.D Lang has a beautiful voice I want to get into more of his music

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Wed Mar 17 2021
4

This type of country is squarely my shit. Not every song is perfect but what a lovely listen.

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Thu Mar 11 2021
4

I thought I knew who k.d. lang was, but I did not. Very cool, very country/western.

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Sun Sep 26 2021
4

i'd forgotten how sweet and how powerful her voice is. this was a joy to hear, even thought i don't really love the music - it was a definite throwback to a time that's pretty much lost, when country music could be lonely and soulful, and not just cheap beer and cheap flags.

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Wed Feb 24 2021
1

This album confirms I'm not a huge kd lang fan, which is something I always suspected.

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Thu Dec 23 2021
2

This isn't country... I've been tricked. It's jazzy lounge music reminiscent of 40s and 50s clubs. It's the very definition of easy listening, with a soulful voice and cozy sound, utilizing techniques from jazz, blues, and country. It's fine to listen to, but some songs suck, and I don't think there's anything to write outstanding about any of the tracks. Favorites: Western Stars, I Wish I Didn't Love You So, Black Coffee, Busy Being Blue

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Sun May 23 2021
5

It’s excellent. Deserved of many many repeat listens.

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Fri Oct 15 2021
5

Fabulous. Just fabulous. One reason for doing this is to 'discover' prominent artists who despite attaining global prominence have somehow stayed off my radar. I'm now a fully certified kd fan. Thank you

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Wed Jan 19 2022
5

Love this, wasn't expecting it to have such a country vibe.

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Sun Apr 24 2022
5

Я удивлён. Думал, что это будет кантри, но если кантри и есть, то крайне в крайне необычном виде. Джаз и блюз великолепен. Голос исполнительницы шикарен. Красивый. Даже буду переслушивать.

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Wed Jun 29 2022
5

Hmmmm, 5? I fucking love this

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Thu Aug 11 2022
5

Right on. This is why this is a fun project. Best find so far. I mean, what's not to like? Old-school country, produced perfectly. (I just read that she convinced Owen Bradley, who produced Patsy Cline, to come out retirement.) Lang has an amazing voice. Also that opening track is pure bliss. Why did it take me so long to listen to this?

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Thu Aug 25 2022
5

Being pretty young throughout the 90s, and growing up in a rather conservative area, the only context I *ever* had for k.d. land was "DiD yOu KnOw ShE's A lEsBiAn?!?!?" I'm sad to say that that was still basically all I still knew about her before listening to this. Imagine my surprise (and delight!) to learn that she is essentially a slightly more baritone, updated version of Patsy Cline! I adored this album. Catchy tunes interspersed with wistful ballads. This is my favorite kind of country music. I'm somewhere between a 4 and a 5 on this, but writing out my feelings has (temporarily, at least) boosted me to a 5.

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Thu Sep 15 2022
5

So rich with emotion, and she has such a raw, talented voice. This album has become a favorite.

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Thu Sep 22 2022
5

just absolutely great ear sex🥰

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Thu Sep 29 2022
5

Lovely country tones with a genuine voice

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Wed Oct 12 2022
5

I wish all music sounded like this

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Fri Dec 02 2022
5

очень приятный альбомчик, so sexy местами

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Mon Dec 26 2022
5

Growing up in Canada, I always heard k.d. lang's name but I never listened to her solo. I've listened to her on the amazing case/lang/veirs album so I knew her voice. I loved it. Definitely regret not listening to her earlier in my life. She has such a great voice for country and it hits me in the right spot.

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Wed Mar 29 2023
5

I really liked the voice she has, it's so beautiful. Waltz Me (Once Again Around the Dance Floor was amazing, I mean all the songs were but that I especially liked that one.

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Wed Apr 19 2023
5

Great album, great voice, great songs. Reminds me of marfa

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Mon May 01 2023
5

28th April 2023 Was in Albania for Barnett's stag so listened on the Tuesday in the new kitchen with Jen having been at Denise's for drinks. Gorgeous stuff, absolutely loved it. As did Jen.

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Fri Jul 07 2023
5

Well dang, did not expect that sound to go with that album cover. How have I never heard of her, she's got a phenomenal voice! most angelic yeehaw music I've ever heard.

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Sun Sep 10 2023
5

I’ve heard this album before but it has been a long time. Good lord this is a great album! k.d. lang’s voice is perfection! Back when this came out I was in love with “Black Coffee.” It’s perfect - impressive that it can still stand out on an album filled with stand outs! How k.d. lang slipped out of the rotation I don’t know, but I’m glad to have her back! THAT VOICE! Gliding effortlessly around these melodies so smoothly. Truly the pinnacle of torch-song country!

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Sun Sep 10 2023
5

This is exquisite. I have no notes.

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Sun Sep 10 2023
5

This is a k.d. lang album with which I was not familiar. It was quite twangy, but I have no complaint, especially as the music is backing such a beautiful voice.

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Sun Sep 10 2023
5

Yay! Gorgeous voice, marvelous songs, I sure needed this today. "Black Coffee" has been a favorite from back in the day, and "Honky Tonk Angels' Medley" is a goddamn world treasure with Kitty Wells, Loretta Lynn, and Brenda Lee! More amazing women like all of these, please!

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Thu Oct 05 2023
5

Listened to this in the car and fell asleep. Pretty chill

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Fri Nov 03 2023
5

Wish I had found this album sooner

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Mon Dec 04 2023
5

RIYL Patsy Cline etc. which I do

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Wed Dec 20 2023
5

Interesting, great orchestration, surprisingly delightful. Genre bending excellence.

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Thu Jan 25 2024
5

I hear some country and western, but the style is more lounge. I felt like I entered a small bar in the 1950s ... I think the slide guitar is what makes the sound so C & W. K. D. is a great singer. A treat to hear the full album.

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Sun Jan 28 2024
5

What a great album! A tribute to some amazing songwriting, coupled with k.d. lang’s gorgeous vocals. You totally hear the influence of Patsy Cline.

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Thu Feb 29 2024
5

I remember K.D. Lang being kind of a big deal in the 80s, but I was a kid & wasn't paying attention. As a fully fledged adult, I'm glad this challenge has introduced me to her music. Holy smokes, this is fantastic. I'm a fan of country music, and I love her particular style of country. It's got soul, melody, and depth. I feel nourished after listening to this. I don't normally give 5 stars to something so brand new to my ears, but this is excellent.

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Sun Mar 03 2024
5

A lesbian!!! Admito que country não me pega tanto. Mesmo assim, ela não deixa a peteca cair!!! O álbum é bom do início ao fim. Algumas músicas tem um som mais estereotipado do gênero, mas os vocais e a interpretação são divinos! Outros momentos são mais jazzy e dão um balanço legal ao álbum. Gostei muito e passou voando.

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Fri Mar 08 2024
5

KD Lang's voice is so good it got Owen Bradley off the retirement couch and back in the studio with all his old pals. I love this. Some might not vibe with this, but you have to recognize that this is a pure, honest, representation of an original American art form (even if KD is from Alberta).

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Fri Mar 08 2024
5

Great album, brings back nights around the Frederick fire.

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Mon Mar 11 2024
5

Was exactly what I wanted to be hearing yesterday morning 9/10

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Thu Sep 24 2020
4

Fun album. Busy Being Blue was a really great tune.

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Fri Dec 04 2020
4

I like this more than "Ingenue". It's more of a cut-and-dry country record, with a chorus of all-stars at the end, and some interesting choices of instruments (don't remember much saxophone on other country records). Still not really for me, but I can kind of see the reverence around it. 3.5 stars. Favorite tracks: "Black Coffee", "Down to My Last Cigarette"

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Thu Apr 01 2021
4

My only reference point for KD Lang was that my friend's lesbian mom listened to her. I had no idea what she sounded like, but she is far more soulful than I imagined.

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Fri Apr 30 2021
4

yeah you know what this was pretty good

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Fri Jun 11 2021
4

Did not expect this to be country.

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Mon Apr 12 2021
4

Quality songwriting and performance

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Sat May 15 2021
4

Sounds great, but not for me

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Sun Jun 06 2021
4

Rating: 7/10 Best songs: (Waltz me), Don't let the stars get in your eyes, Tears don't care who cries them

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Thu Sep 16 2021
4

Swings from fun and pokey to smoky and romantic. Pair with a date at home. 4/5

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Fri Oct 15 2021
4

Wasn't sure about this originally. First few songs a bit slow and waiting for it to pick up. I've since listened about 5 time so feel 4 stars warranted. Picked up after tears don't care who cried them

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Fri Oct 15 2021
4

Really really liked this, way more than I expected to

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Fri Oct 15 2021
4

Country is not my style, frankly, but this one was very good.

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Mon Nov 15 2021
4

Nice mix of country and jazzy sounds. Excellent voice. Could listen again

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Thu Dec 02 2021
4

After exploring many country touchstone sounds, often with levity, the music understates itself to make lang's voice the star of the show. The subject matter is utterly consistent; The music has the characters of country and pop but isn't quite either. It seems delicious to slow dance to.

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Fri Dec 10 2021
4

7/10 not a big fan of this genre but I really liked the bluesy rock and roll sound I Wish I Didn’t Love You So, Black Coffee, Shadowland, and Tears Don’t Care Who Cries Them were some of the songs I liked most overall a fun album but I don’t think I want to hear any other songs in her discography unless they’re also on this website/book

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Fri Dec 17 2021
4

Holy shit. The opening to this record is not at all what I expected. Sounds like Willie Nelson and his band are backing such a beautiful voice. I love this and I'm truly surprised. I mean, I knew that I liked what I know of K.D. Lang ("Constant Craving" and that's it). Her voice, the surprise that she's actually a country artist, the lack of Southern baggage she carries as a Canadian, and my excitement to listen to this in the summer when I want to nap in a hammock...all lead to a surprising 4 stars. If this wasn't her debut, it might be a 3. Because it's not super original. But to come out of the gates so strong, is just incredible. I look forward to listening more to this record and her other music.

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Fri Dec 31 2021
4

Very cool. If Marty Robbins was a woman, he would have sounded a lot like this.

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Wed Jan 05 2022
4

lovely voice, subversive then, unsurprising now...

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Sun Jan 23 2022
4

This album really surprised me! Ended up listening to it at least a few times over. Think in doing so I made myself sick of it? But a solid 4/5 anyway.

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Sun Jan 23 2022
4

Always partial to things that lean melancholic, really enjoyed this.

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Fri Mar 11 2022
4

I always knew I liked her voice, but this album is so great. Great songs, great band, great arrangements.

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Thu Apr 14 2022
4

Slick and smooth country from country great k.d. lang. With a voice like that and classic country tunes that call back to the great crooners of old, you can't lose. Charming is the word I'm looking for.

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Thu May 05 2022
4

A had heard of k.d lang but didn't know much about her before listening to this album. It was a nice mix of country and jazz vocals. If you'd have asked me beforehand I would have thought that this couldn't work but she pulls it of rather well. Enjoyed the whole album quite a bit but the opening track, "Western Stars" was the real standout for me. I could see me putting this on again as just something to relax to with a good book.

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Thu May 05 2022
4

I didn't expect this to be anything more than average. But I was really surprised. I felt kind of sheepish because I only gave Loretta Lynn a 3, but this album was more than just good singing. And Lang can really sing (better than Lynn, probably better than many). I kind of viewed it more like the Marty Robbins album. Vocals that fill the ears and some real simple but precise musical accompaniment - perfectly on point for her vocals. Throwback to country of a different time. Really solid.

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Thu May 05 2022
4

I like the mixture between country and lounge act lang straddles here. It was her first record so I guess she was still trying to figure things out, but you can hear the real emotion and fire in some of those tunes. Go for it girl, yeah! So... would you file this under country? I guess so. But the jazzier bits break up the monotony. I really dug it, reminded me of Lyle Lovett. Nice refreshing change of pace for me.

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Thu May 19 2022
4

better than I expected, good country sound!

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Sun Jun 05 2022
4

This album is a great mix of honky tonk, doo-wop, and a healthy dose of the Bakersfield Sound. KD Lang is strongly influenced by Patsy Cline to the point where she uses her producer on this album. Overall this album reads like a love letter to KD Lang’s heroes and it works incredibly well; her voice can be forceful and delicate and suits the music perfectly.

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Mon Jun 27 2022
4

Gorgeous voice. Timeless songs. Why have I not heard this before. I always thought Ingenue was her first..

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Mon Jun 27 2022
4

Solid combination sof country, jazz and pop here. Favorites: "I Wish I Didn't Love You", "Black Coffee", "I'm Down to My Last Cigarette"

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Thu Jul 07 2022
4

Well balanced production. A little bit of something for everybody.

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Sun Jul 10 2022
4

This mix of breathy 30s music and country blues is like crack to me honestly. Idc what it is but I’ll always enjoy it. Especially lock stock and teardrops

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Thu Jul 14 2022
4

Well, to start off, I didn't know KD Lang was a country artist at her debut. I only knew her from the song "Constant Craving" and always thought she was more of a pop artists from the R&B side of the music world. That said, her voice grabs you from the beginning of the first track. She has the perfect female country voice: powerful yet subtle, soft and filled with emotion. This album has a real blast from the past feel. KD Lang isn't Patsy Cline, but she does a hell of an impression. 4/5

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Fri Aug 26 2022
4

Unexpected but a welcome surprise. Classy old fashioned country with a unique twist Great vocals

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Fri Aug 26 2022
4

Wow, this is really cool. Kind of a reverby, female Roy Orbison or something? IDK. I've heard of k.d lang forever but never listened to her stuff. Listened to a few more of her albums and none hit the mark quite like this one.

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Sun Aug 28 2022
4

K.D. Lang has a great, emotive voice, and it’s set well against the backdrop of country stylings

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Fri Sep 02 2022
4

Queer country, queer 50s ballad. Nice listen.

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Thu Sep 15 2022
4

country, but nice and calm country.

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Wed Sep 28 2022
4

a little reminiscent of Patsy Cline

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Wed Oct 19 2022
4

The country vibe bores me to death, but her singing is out of this world and the songs are beautiful

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Fri Nov 04 2022
4

this is swag. pedal steel and pretty voice melts me

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Thu Nov 17 2022
4

this album is solid. k.d. has a great voice with a really authentic patsy cline vibe. The album feels a little safe, but the what’s there is well-executed. The bass tone on “down to my last cigarette” is super corny

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Wed Nov 30 2022
4

Gorgeous voice - and a nice take on the country genre - very familiar yet compact and smooth. Still very country but that doesn’t bother me.

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Thu Dec 08 2022
4

Amazing voice, had not heard this before

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