Reviews (page 3 of 8)
Quite a jam to be fair
Country isn't my strong-suit and for whatever it's worth kd lang is seen as alternative country. With that, the production and backing musicians on this album are pure Nashville country legendary types like pedal steel legend and arguable GOAT Buddy Emmons and legendary producer Owen Bradley. Shadowland sounds really good, that pedal steel is truly perfect throughout. Aside from that, it's fairly average. kd lang can sing pretty well (especially on Busy Being Blue), but the music as a whole doesn't do anything for me. I'm not going to argue a spot on this list against a Canadian alternative country singing lesbian when a couple other genres are over saturated like Britpop or Nu Metal, let alone the whiteness or the amount of male artists to female artists, etc. But I will say one thing: this is better than the Norah Jones selection.
Why should I listen to this album? It’s not very interesting or original.
I love her song Constant Craving and her album Ingenue. But sadly, this record feels completely forgettable to me.
agréablement surpris ! la reprise de black coffee, quel délice!! on voit l’influence historique de la country/western swing etc tout en amenant sa sauce! 4.5/5
Excellent country.
There is such a thing as too much slide guitar
I liked this quite a bit and more than I thought I would. She has a beautiful voice, of course, but I hadn't really known her work. (k.d. lang I owe you an apology, I was not familiar with your game.) I expected soft, singer-songwritery stuff, and this is that, to be sure, but I expected sort of boring, folk-y, strum-strum sing-sad stuff. There's a little of that, but not a ton. Instead, the majority is some countrified balladering, accompanied by some enticing slide guitar. Slide guitar goes a long way. That's was most of it, and it got very same-y, but was pretty enjoyable. Then there was "Busy Being Blue," which sounded like some old-timey Sinatra crooning. Dug it.
Eh. Not my cup of tea.
What a complete mess of an album. She can certainly sing. And it is beautifully engineered; especially for 1988. But it plays like a demo tape from someone who enjoys singing in wine bars on weekends. The best moments come when she shamelessly apes Patsy Cline records. But K.D.'s songwriting doesn't hold a candle to the Nashville pros; and Patsy's recordings are so superior in every way that it's hard to understand why anyone would listen through this mess to get to two or three decent imitations. (580 albums in and I haven't seen one by the legend; typical of this list that features mediocre imitators over brilliant artists.) The real tragedy, however, comes in the fact that she can't pick a lane. It veers from embarrassingly sterile "Honky-Tonk," to imitation Patsy Cline, to Cabaret, to Lawrence Welk style 1950s pop. It would be one thing if she had a musical sensibility and combined these influences into something interesting and unique. But it seems that she doesn't.
Some decent sad girl country right here.
Thought the man on the album looked rather handsome... I rest my case, K.D. is a handsome lady. And she's got a tremendous voice. Love this style of country, too, but it was hard to believe it came from '88!
Didn't think I'd like country but this was great, she's got an amazing voice
kd lang is a country singer? Who knew. Good, but got too loungy.
here's the thing I appreciate this being a vocal masterpiece and it's nice to listen to but this is just not my vibe.....glad we at least had a female artist tho woooo
not the moooost my vibe, think it also just wasn’t where i was at today so that didn’t help some fun instrumentals, i like the kinda old country sound and how some sounds got kinda jazzy, maybe worth a revisit one day but eh for today
pas mal mm si je me suis endormi
It’s got a nice Nashville pop sound. It’s got some great musos and she is a good singer for country pop (statted as a Patsy Cline tribute artistin fact). She’s as country as a Canadian can be. Its well balanced in the recording. Should be a 5 star album. But there is something a bit meh about it. They are all covers and it honours the source, but almost like watching a Filipino bar band reproduce every song note for note i wonder why i am not just listening to the original recordings. If there is a Wrecking Crew of country musicians, they are on this album. For them alone i give it 5 stars minus 1 for the cover band feel of this.
Con un disco de KD es suficiente en el listado y este álbum es una buena elección aunque tal vez sea mejor incluir Ingénue, posterior a este. Venía del country-punk (A Truly Western Experience) y poco a poco iba domando esa fiereza Angel with a Lariat, y ya sin los Reclines publica esta joya. Antes había cantado Cryin´con su ídolo Orbison y después del disco publicó una de las canciones que más me gustan: Calling All Angels con Jane Siberry. Una joya en la banda sonora de Until the End of the World. Abre con Western Stars de Chris Isaak, que en su voz reluce perfecto. También destaca el Honky Tonk Angels' Medley con Brenda Lee o Patsy Cline. Sugar Moon es un country, con aromas clásicos como el resto del disco, con su pedal steel, su ritmo entre swing y hawaiano y su excelente voz. I Wish I Didn't Love You So es un clásico de Broadway compuesto por Frank Loesser. Busy Being Blue es un estándar que le queda fenomenal. Gran disco. Buena chica.
está duro, pues no se si es una vieja pero duro la verdad está bueno pero full no mi estilo, ya al final como que me cansa bastante pero igual está ahí bacanito
k.d. lang led the league in People I'd Heard of a Ton But Had Never Actually Heard until now. This was awesome - Patsy Cline brought to the modern era.
This has the 5th best cover of Black Coffee on it and not much else that interesting
Pretty voice but generic ahh shoppy shop music
felt very hawaiian listening to this 3.5
It was decent
Good vibrato but maybe not for me
This is exactly the kind of music that made he hesitate for so long before going with my friends to queer line dancing. Love the gay vibes, don’t love the country music.
I like k.d. voice but didn't like the county songs at all. I did like the end of the recording which were more blues oriented. k.d. later album is much better but this one really wasn't worthy to be on this list.
564/1001 😴😴🌑🌑🌑
not my type of music
This makes for grim listening. Three tracks was all I could take. Heard before ❌️ Listened this time ✅️ in part Revisit ❌️ ★☆☆☆☆ (2/10) Total reviewed : 249 Already owned : 57 Purchased : 13 To buy list : 3 Nope : 176
Very impressive and mad underrated. Unique vocals. I’m surprised I don’t mind the country here, though i think there’s some blues as well.
Expected it to be more folky and less twangy going in, but it really grew on me and I ended up quite enjoying it!
don't like her voice at all annoying. and breathy.
NK
I thought this was a fun mix of two genres that on their face seem incongruous but actually make a lot of sense together as American folk genres which themselves were considered experimental. I don't love all the honky tonk songs - the last song is my least favorite - but overall a good listen, she's very talented, and I had a good time.
Good voice overall, but music’s not for me. Leave the honky tonk tracks to Johnny Cash
Not too big on the honky tonk part of this, but the Jazzy sections were great and straight out of film noir
I don't usually listen to country music voluntarily, so this album felt fresh to me. The smooth vocals are very pleasant.
Liked this way more than I anticipated
80s Patsy Cline
Okay a bit torn, i do like the genre/style and i love me some country slide...but still feels a bit one note and boring? They are all covers, right?
A Canadian I've never heard of! Did not know what to expect on my first listen. I just don't know how this fits in the bigger "1001 Albums" collection. Even if it necessarily doesn't, I still enjoyed this album. k.d. has such a lovely voice that brings out her emotions (3.5-4)
Kd Lang has always been on the periphery of my awareness, though I'm familiar with "Constant Craving" which was everywhere for a while. That song, I think, is more suited to her voice. She sounds ageless, like the ghost that haunts my attic. Why is the ghost that haunts my attic having a hoedown?
Suave, para once in a Lifetime jaja 3/5
On my 2nd k.d. Lang album recently, my opinion has changed little. She’s a great singer, but the style and music just aren’t something I enjoy.
Wow! I shouldn’t like this album as much as I did but I was super impressed with this one! Growing up I always associated KD Lang with the Lilith Fair and the early LGBTQA+ movement, and being a young homophobic dumbass I didn’t give her the time of day. I missed out! This album has made me a fan! From the Spanish-flamenco inspired Don’t Let the Stars Get In Your Eyes to the western-homage longs like Lock Stock and Tearsdrops her voice was majestic and reminded me so much of Pasty Cline and Peggy Lee. My absolute favorite track, though, was the sultry Black Coffee which imbued images of Jessica Rabbit on stage with a cup of medium roast single source Ethiopian. Yes, my fantasies have changed since I was a kid. But I stress again, this album is fucking great and I am kicking myself for my misanthropic ignorance.
Random thoughts: * This was a super chill album. My daughter noticed this playing and asked me if this was my homework album. I would not normally play this kind of music in the car. * This is chill on the weekend or wind down for the night kind of music. * I thought this was an album of country covers. Which it may be. But it sounds more like a pet project of covers than a debut solo album. * I caught shades of Norah Jones listening to this. Maybe it was the country/jazz sensibilities throughout. * A pleasant album that I might return to on some chill evening.
k.d. lang has an undeniably sweet yet strong voice, and listening to it can be quite soothing. I just struggled a fair bit to get through what felt like a very karaoke album.
Kanskje den kjedeligste plata så langt.
En ok produsert plate med dørgende kjedelige sanger. Minus for steel guitar.
Hun er kjempeflink å synge. Hvorfor skal hun lage et coveralbum med country?
Hørt en morgen før jobb. Veldig bra! Deilig søndagsblues-musikk for de som kjenner den.
Skjønner ikke hvorfor denne plata er på lista. Dønn ordinær musikk, på grensen til pastisj. Koselig, men helt pregløst.
Luckily got to listen to this walking alone at night, through a strange town smoking my last cigarette. Giving the whole atmosphere the perfect frame. Such a unique vibe.
It's a fine listen, just slightly forgettable.
Really struggled to get into this one
Favorite Song: Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes
I’m not normally a fan of country, but I also didn’t know there was an out lesbian doing it in the 80s and 90s. And wow what a hauntingly beautiful voice, combined with the immaculate production really elevates it for me.
I do like elements of the production, and I enjoyed the blends of Jazz amongst the Country, although maybe thats just the sax. At other times, the sound is sparsely populated and reminds me of hotel lobby music. Did not like the vocal performance which I found bland and (yodel-like?!) at times although pleasing on tracks like Shadowland. The album was generally rather boring and sleepy, I am grateful it was only 35 minutes.
This album has a really vintage country sound. It feels older than its 1988 release date, in a good way. Shadowland is a very clean, classic country album production wise, an easy listen. I liked how cohesive it sounded throughout; nothing sticks out awkwardly with arrangements being very balanced (somewhat conservative?). However, despite the polished finish, I wouldn’t say it has an obvious 80s gloss to it. The twangy sound of pedal steel is pretty much the cornerstone of C&W music for me, and I love hearing it across the tracks; using the brushed drums helped maintain the soft, somewhat unobtrusive tone. K.D. Lang’s vocals were so rich and controlled; the lower tone was really grounded and matched the music perfectly. The lyrics, albeit not very profound, felt very authentic and worked in favour of the album. Overall, I’d describe Shadowland as “nice” in the best sense of the word. It’s warm, well crafted, and has a lovely sense of sincerity about it. I didn’t love it, and by the last few tracks, it was feeling a bit samey, but I would probably listen to some of the tracks again.
She has a great voice. Almost enough to bump this up a star but overall the country isn’t all that good. But her voice is great.
Not bad. Not amazing.
Not for me, was ok but just meh
3/5 - Not my taste but I did really like Waltz Me Once Again Around the Dance Floor
Dunno what I expected but this wasn't it. Not a bad country album.
Aika shaibaa ja mitäänsanomatonta. Taustalla menis varmaan jossain isossa kokoontumisessa. 1,5/5.
More like KD Lame
k has a nice voice and this is a safe album with no special songs
It's nothing special, but the biggest problem is that this is the second mediocre album from this artist.
k.d. lang – Shadowland (1988) On Day 59, Shadowland started strong but unfortunately lost its momentum halfway through the listen. What really stood out most was k.d. lang’s impressive ability to blend jazz standards with country-pop vibes—it's a high-level technical mix that results in some very good tunes. Tracks like I'm Down to My Last Cigarette, Lock, Stock and Teardrops, Sugar Moon, I Wish I Didn't Love You So, and Waltz Me Once Again Around the Dance Floor were definite standouts. However, as a complete body of work, the project isn't quite strong enough to guarantee a return visit. A solid 3/5.
Ok.
This album surprised me a lot. My only exposure to K.D. Lang back in the day was the song Constant Craving. Didn’t even realise she was around in the 80’s. Anyway, I quite enjoyed it and will definitely listen to this album again.
Her debut album. Country. Lovely vocals. Overall though an album of dour Country cover songs is an album of dour Country cover songs.
Far from music I actually like, it somehow still has a vibe. Her voice is amazing enough I think she can just do whatever she wants and I'll pay attention to it. Nevertheless, half an hour of old country covers just doesn't seem like it's worthy of the list, and I am again very confused about the reason this album was picked over so many better, more impactful ones.
I am ashamed to admit that despite knowing the artist's name for decades, I did not know she was primarily a country artist, and had not heard any of her music. She has a great voice, and I liked one or two of the more bluesy songs, but the album didn't appeal to my music tastes.
Imagine getting Owen Bradley to come out of retirement and bring the Nashville A Team to record your debut album. The Venn Diagram overlap of Chris Isaak and Patsy Cline. When it's straight country it's great. Some of the jazz standards are a little much, even if k.d.'s voice can carry them.
Great voice but the country-club jazz fusion doesn’t hit for me. Sounds like an act id see on a stage in Nashville while people try to make it
Album Review 068 Shadowland by KD Lang (1988) Rating 3.5/5 An album of country covers and songs written for the singer that (mostly) sound like they could have been recorded at some point in the mid-1950’s - think Patsy Cline or Loretta Lynne. These songs are languid and never get out 2nd gear, but that’s not a bad thing as this works well with her (very good) vocals and build a mood. Only one track doesn’t really fit in here: Busy Being Blue has a the feel of a 1980’s blues/jazz bar, rather the feel of morning-after-a-hoedown in Hicksville. I was surprised at how good this album was, but ultimately, it’s a country album and that’s a style I’m just not a fan of.
Her voice is undeniably beautiful, but sitting through this album is exhausting. It leans heavily into a honky-tonk country sound that just feels overbearing after a while. It’s polished and well performed, and I can appreciate the talent, but the overall experience is more draining than engaging, and not something I’d want to revisit.
This album grew on my. Her voice is truly amazing. I am reminded of how much I did not care for Nora Jones' debut album but now love it. I think this is like that. Four stars
Liked it at the start, a nice western feel and sweet sounding songs. Got a little long in the tooth by the end
Not really for me but would like to revisit
Music to listen to in a 1950s diner.
She has a beautiful voice, but this is just not my kind of music.
2.5
2.5
2/5 Bem produzido, e a cantora tem uma voz bonita e potente. Porém os arranjos são simples e não entregam muito mais que um country americano ordinário.
I went in fearing the worst after reading a handful of reviews, and for a moment I thought they might’ve been overly harsh — the opening track actually had me thinking, hang on, maybe this won’t be so bad. Unfortunately, it’s downhill from there. Track by track, the album slips deeper into well‑worn country clichés — the syrupy arrangements, the predictable lyrical turns, the melodramatic twang that feels more like pastiche than reinvention.
Lesbian country, not bad.
Listened to some of it. Not my style.
Liking it more than I thought I would. Because I am old now.
Вааай как расслабляюще
Beautiful voice, shit genre. Lang's voice made up for it at least.
Country er ikke helt min genre, men på den her måde går det lige. Nogengange lød det sådan lid disney-pixar agtigt, det var cute. Ville give det 2.5
A bit boring
The album best quality is that it is only 32 minutes long. I mean, it was alright I guess
Not exactly my cup of tea but you can't deny her talent.
got through about half of this. some tracks weren’t as bad as others
Not at all what I was expecting from the “Constant Craving” singer. Way too twangy for my taste but I can somewhat appreciate it for being good at what it is. (2)
She didn't write any of these songs, and it's country music (blegh), but her voice is undeniably amazing - not just in it's power, but in its ability to manipulate already fantastic melodies into something different. 4.5/5.0: Excellent.
i must have listened to this twice on accident because there is no way this album was only 35 minutes. some of these songs songs were really good while others were incredibly dull. she does have a great voice though
Twangy country. I can take it in the right context, this was not too bad. Better than I thought it would be, actually.
The first really country western album I've heard. Just a delight.
yeehaw but make it lesbian (and kinda dull)
Dreary alt country 😴 I have yet to see a good artist that doesn't capitalize their name.
Wikipedia says this is alt-country, but it feels more like pop from the early 20th century. It isn't though. This is 1988 album with a very dated sound, but it's a good one.
I despise modern country but this is a throw back. Not something I’d seek out and likely won’t listen again but not mad at the assignment. She’s got a great voice and I never knew her debut was a country album!
Pretty great vocals but as a whole pretty average. This was inoffensive, fairly straightforward country music and ultimately unremarkable. Global average is appropriate here 2.5/5
This wasn't bad it just really isn't my style
this was nice enough. Don't have anything to say
Not bad
- pikkasen ärsyttävä tuo albumikuva, eikä muuten vastannu lauluääni kasvoja niinku yhtään - ui juma täähän on ihan david lynchiä, toimittelee
Good album by Lady KD Lang. I like the hits and that smoky/quirky style of hers. Would I buy it and play it? Nope. Did I enjoy a few of the tracks? Yup
Not for me but seems okay :S
Really smooth but powerful voice and a soft country theme that works really well. Country isn't a genre I listen to a lot but there are some artist that I like, K.d. Lang just became another on that list.
I'm sorry k.d. lang - your earlier work does not hit as well as your later work.
Had never listened to k.d lang that I can remember. I think she's a very talented singer and these songs were pretty easy to listen to. Nothing that really stood out in a way that I will return to.
so gooddddd, got me dancing
Shadowland sounds like background music for the lamest saloon on the strip. It still adds an atmosphere, but it doesn’t compare to the best of the best. The album does have a dimness to it, yet it is oddly reminiscent of Christmas music. This albums worst offense is how utterly basic and forgettable it is.
So good! How have I never heard this album? I was really impressed and will be adding this to my rotation.
Someone who I was very aware of in the 90s but somehow I’m not sure I’d ever heard a KD Lang song until now. I’m not sure what I expected but I don’t think country lounge singer was it (she kind of looks and sounds like a lesbian Chris Isaak). Musically a little boring but lyrically pretty good and I like her voice. 2.7
2.0 I never really listened to k.d., although I would have assumed she was a staple on the CKUA growing up. Did not enjoy this very much at all, thought I would have. Nice voice but for me it just seemed like she droned on and on and I found myself skipping through the majority of it.
Actually pretty nice sponge
Yeah no thanks. Lounge and country music fusion. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should
I agree with the folks who said this sounds like music you expect to be playing in a hotel. K.D. has a fantastic voice, no question about it, but this style does nothing for me. Hate to give out a one but I literally didn’t like any song on the album.
Beautiful voice. The album mixes really classic country sounds with 50s vocal stylings as well. Nicely produced and nicely sounding, I'm just not sure how this would be influential when it came out about 20 years late for it's sound. Certainly not a painful listen, despite a good portion of these songs being sad.
She has a great voice, but the music bores me and it’s way too honky tonky
So relaxing and warm, like a nice mug of coffee on a cold morning.
Great solid lang
Not as big a fan of the more country stylings of this album compared to lang's other one on the list. This one also relies more on cover songs, which pairs well with the jazzier moments. The voice remains fantastic though. Key tracks: Western Stars Shadowland
Third shitty country album *in a row*. Third 1-star album in a row... Please give me a break, album generator!
Sounds good if you like the genre, it isn't really for me though
I do not enjoy country
The first few albums on this I really enjoyed but it’s a bit dry after that. 80s produced covers of country songs won’t rate high for me, but her voice is very good. It kinda sounds like the music that plays in a film when the protagonist finally loses their mind and is merrily walking around in a lobotomised state.
I’m vibing with the lesbian twang
You know, a more folk pop-centric k.d. lang (a la her album "Ingénue") is my preferred version of her, but I can't deny that she is really good at breathing new life into classic country sounds. Her voice melds and stands well with the likes of Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn. Truly, she has a beautiful voice on this album, using all of these songs as great opportunity to show off her range and soaring vocals.
Meh, kinda boring songs but recorded really nicely. 2.8/5
Likte da ganske dårlig, egentlig
Nicer nostalgischer Country - Sound Würde mir aber keinen Song davon öfter anhören, klingt alles ziemlich gleich Don’t let the Stars get in your eyes - abgespeichert
Sweet and quality
Such a clear strong, and beautiful voice. I think I would love this album even if I didn't have a soft spot for some old-time country music.
A surprisingly straight country and western album (pun intended). musically and vocally, it could be almost any female C&W artist of the era. The lyrics and KD's personality may be slightly askew, but overall, this album was disappointingly normal.
Beautiful voice!
80s country pop debut. Had no idea she started in country. Beautiful, very melancholic and longing. Very traditional.
This is the second by K.D. Lang and I enjoyed this one so much more. Her voice and emotions really drew me in so much more. I could imagine being there in the room with her and her voice really draw me in and appreciate the songs. Nothing felt forced and was completely natural. It flowed so effortlessly. One thing that I noticed about this album I have never seen in music before was how she sang in such a beautiful soprano voice that is so feminine but when singing she could evoke the feelings of masculine presence and then switch that essence in the next song. Tears Don't Care Who Cries Them had such female energy but then Stars Don't Get in Your Eyes was so Masculine. Same with I'm Down to my Last Cigarette to Busy Being Blue. But it was still all her, seemed to go together and flow into these varying sides of her. Quirky note...Did anyone else think I wish I didn't love you sounded like I'll be home for Christmas?
I liked this more than I thought I would. It reminds me alot of a Patsy Cline and a little of Loretta Lynn, And I like both of them real good. This album is all about the old timey heartbreaks.
I’m not sure this list needs more than one k.d. Lang album but if I’m forced to choose between this and Ingenue, I’m picking this. The classic Country sound (the only brand of it that I even remotely enjoy) is lovely. This was created in the same big open sky spirit as Eddy Arnold and Patsy Cline. Western Stars kicks things off beautifully and continues on with velvety smooth gems like I Wish I Didn’t Love You So, Black Coffee, Shadowland, and Busy Being Blue. Her voice is so blissful and intimate that I feel like she’s singing to me alone. The more upbeat/honky tonk tracks don’t always hit full force for me, but I can forgive that. I was going to give it a 4, but after a few more listens, it shines bright as 5 big Western stars, darlin’!
I had a visceral reaction to k.d. lang’s last album, which felt like lifeless adult contemporary music, so I wasn’t excited to get this today. But I went in with an open mind! I liked this one so much better. I dig the old timey country vibes she’s got going on, and she pulls it off pretty authentically with songs that feel heartfelt, fun and catchy. This feels like the type of music that speaks to her soul.
Got concerned about the reviews - she has a great voice though!
I've known of k.d. Lang for a while now but don't think I've ever actually heard a song by her until now. This album didn't blow me away but I thought it was ultimately pleasant, her voice voice is great! Also not a critique but for an album called Shadowland it is quite chipper
enjoyable
Was surprised by this one. Quite liked it.
Just a bit of a snoozefest unfortunately.
I made it about half way. I really hate country music. ^^;
Pretty good
Oof... I can handle and enjoy one of the three if there are redeeming qualities to be had. But country, crooning, and karaoke? Chances are it's going to be a solid hell no. And yeah. No. And damn, kd. Those vocals can't swim in reverb any deeper.
These are powerful and beautiful interpretations of some classic country tunes. If you ever see kd perform live, you’ll get an understanding of just how powerful her instrument really is and how records can’t really capture it all.
Good album
It was okay.
Well its a bit awkward that ive heard another record by here and had zero clue she was a country act. I just didnt get that from ingenue I guess. Maybe thats more pop centric, i cant really remember. But I did have a decent time with that. And I had fun here too. Probably More so. Its just good old country tunes. Reminds me of alot of stuff my aunt liked when I was young. Very turn of the century style. But a good version of it. Some of it leans a bit too much into pop but the true blue country western stuff is where its at. I liked it quite a bit in the end. Got a few saves. Worthwhile experience
I initially liked this better than I thought I would. Her voice is soothing and not as jarring as I found her hit Constant Craving. I hate that song soooo much. But as I listened further to the album, her voice lacked oomph and passion, and although pitch perfect, just doesn't do it for me. Anyway, my favourite track on this album is probably the 1950s wistful cowboy song vibe one- the opening track. Not so keen on the honky tonky tracks where the steel guitar features highly, and not the bluesy or saxy jazz ones either. Perhaps it is all too polished and clean for me. I'm now feeling very nitpicky... not sure if I would seek it out again for another listen...I just wanted it to end...
Didn't really grab me and I bailed before the end.
Not bad
Pleasant, but not my mood.
This was a lovely listen. kd has such an expressive, yearning quality to her voice and the songs were sublime. This was nearly a four-star listen but the album felt slightly too long (plus I still struggle with honky-tonk music). Orville Peck is the obvious spiritual heir.
It might be Alternative Country, but it's still Country music at it's core and I'm not a fan of Country music.
me and dad both enjoyed the hill billy countryness of this album. black coffee my fav :)
Lots of variety in the vibes of this album, some more slow and yearning, others upbeat and fun. Reminded me a bit of Elvis but better.
Lesbian country
Rounded up from 3.5. There's nothing wrong with this album. She's a superb singer and the production is flawless. And yes, she's a lot more than Patsy Cline imitator. But somehow she's never quite spoken to me - except for "Constant Craving." Maybe that just shows I prefer shallow pop music or macho country characters like Willie Nelson, et al. But I listened to this twice and I don't know when I'll listen again.
мне было это тяжело слушать
Adorable voice, country/blues vibes. I enjoyed listening to 90% of the songs.
Jazz/Country album. Didn't know that was a thing, really liked it.
Terrible.
She has a phenomenal voice, just felt the album was just ok, nothing stood out too much
Pub open mic night music but actually good
Too honky tonk for my taste
I don't feel particularly fond of country, so when a song/album doesn't do anything except just bein' country, it's not for me. Sometimes it sounded Christmassy to me? (I Wish I Didn't Love You So), but I also don't harbor any special feelings for Christmas music so that didn't help this album's case either.
Her voice is so soothing and vibey The music is nothing too special and is not something I would actively listen to on many occasions HOWEVER as the album went on I noticed I just simply liked listening to it. I just bobbed my head a little and went along with the music and it was nice. Not a ton of songs as inclusion for my playlist and it's not something I'm crazy about so I'm sticking to a 3.
This is the kind of country all country should aspire to be like!
A few songs in, I thought it was fine but the longer it went on, the more irritating it became. It’s a sultry album that no one asked for, the musical equivalent of a drunk aunt hitting on you at a family gathering.
Slow and repetitive. Lang is fine as a singer and the music is played well, but this is a bore.
It's a slow country record and I wanted to skip most of the songs.
She has a great voice but this might be one of the most boring albums on the list. I completely forgot I was listening to it at one point.
I expected a bit more from "Shadowland", but it's fine. Most, if not all, of the songs are covers. Lang can really sing, unlike some people. If "Shadowland" had more songs like "Black Coffee", I would've enjoyed it more. "Busy Being Blue" reminded me of Pink Floyd's "Great Gig in the Sky". 3 stars for "Shadowland".
Porco dio che merda
Lovely voice, but not my kind of jam. Couldn't really listen to much without getting agitated.
Absolutely beautiful voice. I like this a lot more than Ingenue, although the country-by-the-numbers got a little old by the end of the album. Still, very nice.
Yee huh? Country tonk? k.d. lang is o.k.
Feels like an ode to a bygone era, released 20 years too late, with a country twist. Appreciate the vocal / lap steel accompaniment being pushed hard on the opener
It was ok, great voice.
It's ok, she's the female Chris Isaak. Black Coffee really good. This is a 3 all day.
not my flavor!
Lovely compositions but a tribute to a style of music I don't have much interest in. A little too sleepy and creating a loving tribute with no twists doesn't have the same magic as the original artists of the genre.
Lesbian country music!
Great voice but boring songs. 1.25/5
Solid bluesy twang to this album Fave track: Tears don't care who cried them
Passable. Don’t know why it’s on the list. 2.5/5
Saw the year and the cover, and then was gobsmacked when listening. Not what I expected at all.
Toujours pas fameux.
Voix enveloppante qui me fait penser aux chanteuses populaires des années 40-50 comme Vera Lynn. A part ça pas trop mon style, mais c'est quand même un bon son de fond.
Meh. Pourquoi KD Lang est là 2 fois? Incompréhensible. Encore une fois ça me laisse très neutre.
Lovely voice, very mellow. I won't be coming back to it though
54/100. A decent listen with a chill country jazz vibe. Nothing really stood out lyrically or musically, but it’s relaxing enough. It's pleasant background music.
usually im not a fan of country but this wasn't half bad
**In-Depth Review of *Shadowland* by k.d. lang** Released in 1988, *Shadowland* is k.d. lang’s debut solo album, and it stands as a bold and reverent tribute to classic country and torch song traditions. Produced by the legendary Owen Bradley—who also helmed many of Patsy Cline’s most iconic recordings—the album is a deliberate throwback to the lush, orchestrated countrypolitan sound of the 1950s and 60s. But it’s far from a nostalgia exercise; it’s a masterclass in interpretation, vocal control, and emotional nuance. --- ### 🎤 **Vocals & Interpretation** k.d. lang’s voice is the undeniable centerpiece. Her rich, velvety tone and impeccable phrasing elevate every track. Whether she’s crooning the jazz-inflected “Black Coffee” or delivering the heartbreak of “I Wish I Didn’t Love You So,” lang brings a deep emotional resonance that feels both timeless and personal. Her vocal control and expressive power are frequently compared to Patsy Cline and Roy Orbison, and rightly so. > “She has the ability to take all kinds of music and make it her own… and no matter what the influence, she always sounds like k.d. lang.” – Owen Bradley --- ### 🎼 **Music & Production** Musically, *Shadowland* blends traditional country with jazz, blues, and pop elements. The arrangements are lush and cinematic, featuring strings, horns, and pedal steel guitar. Owen Bradley’s production is meticulous, capturing the warmth and intimacy of classic Nashville recordings. The album opener, “Western Stars,” sets the tone with sweeping strings and lang’s soaring vocals, while “Black Coffee” slinks along with smoky jazz club vibes. The inclusion of country legends Kitty Wells, Loretta Lynn, and Brenda Lee on the “Honky Tonk Angels’ Medley” is a highlight, bridging generations and underscoring lang’s deep respect for country music’s matriarchs. --- ### 🖋️ **Lyrics & Themes** While most of the songs are covers, lang’s interpretive skill gives them new life. Themes of heartbreak, longing, loneliness, and romantic idealism run throughout. Tracks like “Tears Don’t Care Who Cries Them” and “Don’t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes” are steeped in classic country melancholy, while “Busy Being Blue” adds a touch of wry introspection. There’s a sense of emotional authenticity in lang’s delivery that makes even the most familiar songs feel fresh. Her phrasing and subtle inflections often reveal deeper emotional layers than the original versions. --- ### 🌌 **Influence & Legacy** *Shadowland* didn’t achieve massive commercial success, but it was a critical triumph and helped solidify lang’s reputation as a serious artist. It showcased her versatility and set the stage for her later genre-defying work. The album also played a role in reviving interest in traditional country styles during a time when pop-country was dominating the charts. > “This album manages the rare feat of feeling lush and humble at the same time. And completely timeless.” – Listener review --- ### ✅ **Pros** - **Vocal Performance**: One of the most emotionally resonant and technically gifted voices in modern music. - **Production Quality**: Owen Bradley’s lush, vintage production is flawless and immersive. - **Interpretive Depth**: Lang brings new emotional weight to classic songs. - **Genre Fusion**: Seamlessly blends country, jazz, and pop influences. - **Timeless Appeal**: The album feels both nostalgic and fresh. --- ### ❌ **Cons** - **Lack of Original Material**: Most songs are covers, which may disappoint fans seeking lang’s songwriting. - **Retro Aesthetic**: The deliberate throwback style may feel too stylized or “retrogressive” for some listeners . - **Pacing & Mood**: The album’s consistent mellow tone can feel monotonous or overly sentimental to those not attuned to torch songs or classic country. - **Niche Appeal**: Its countrypolitan sound may not resonate with fans of contemporary country or pop. --- ### 🏁 **Final Verdict** *Shadowland* is a stunning debut that showcases k.d. lang’s vocal brilliance and deep musicality. While it leans heavily on nostalgia, it does so with such sincerity and artistry that it transcends mere homage. It’s not just a tribute to country’s golden age—it’s a reinvention of it through lang’s unique lens. **Rating: 9/10** – A timeless, emotionally rich album that rewards close listening and repeated spins. --- **Key Tracks**: - *Western Stars* - *Black Coffee* - *I Wish I Didn’t Love You So* - *Honky Tonk Angels’ Medley* - *Tears Don’t Care Who Cries Them*
The music is more shmaltzy than I expected. Sounds like Elvis. I expected KD Lang to be more pop with maybe a country tinge.
Probably actually a 3, but bumping it up for being a pleasant surprise. I was thinking this would be ballad-heavy, late-80s rock with a country twang, but honestly most of these songs feel like they could have been beamed in from the Country charts 25 years earlier. The later half of the album features a few cabaret/torch song number that lose me a bit, but stillenjoyed overall.
Oddly enough, this brings to mind the Christina Aguilera album on this list - it's so competent, her voice is amazing - and ultimately I think it might stray into cheesy a bit too often to get higher than a 3. I liked most when she leaned into Country vibes (Western Stars) but a lot of the rest strayed into a lounge-y feel that just wasn't for me.
What a voice. An album that reveled in its "throwback" status back in 1988 and still exudes that same magic today.
Well this seems a nicely made record, and lang's vocals are nice, but this is such a retro facing album that I really cannot see it as a 'great album'. Plus I dislike country music.
Some nice tracks on this, particularly busy being blue
My God does she have a great voice. her sound is so pure and unrelenting. She could sing ANYTHING and it would sound amazing. why country and then easy listening? I don't know. Just listened to a christina aguilera album and she could have EASILY sang it better. just makes this music so much better.
Rating this a 4 simply because k.d lang has such a beautiful voice. Some of the songs were not my style but her smooth and elegant delivery made me discount the lyrics and style.
SpongeBob
"I guess it’s kind of like seeing your sibling have cancer. In a way, it’s devastating. But in a way, there’s a means to an end. I think to have the cancer come so clearly and so aggressively to the forefront, one can only hope it means you can find the systemic issues and eradicate them." k.d. lang, 2018. Not really my thing musically and turns out the systematic issues were even greater than we realised too.
I always hated country, you think this will change my mind? 2/5
fun but also aching but also not my cup of tea but also not completely discarding it
A very sleepy plodding along album. There are no stand outs here, nor is anything particularly offensive. It's very tedious.
3.5
I mean it was fine, honestly I was expecting worse when I saw some other reviews LOL. I think the songs for me kinda blended together too much, like I didn't even realize that the album ended when the songs continued. I think this can be a blessing and a curse, where if all of the songs are good that it can feel like its just banger after banger. I think in this case, all the songs were just like mid throughout. I felt like I was listening to a reaaaallly slow twangy blues country album, which is pretty much what I expected coming in. Overall, not my favorite country music but I think I came out happier than what I expected coming in.
A bit too honky-tonk for my tastes, but pretty short and listenable.
She was on the cover of the first issue of Entertainment Weekly in 1990, my fave magazine of the pre (and post for awhile) internet era. I still have it, plus the first issue of People with Mia Farrow from 1974. This album is just ok. Too twangy for me.
Unbearable country. No Constant Craving.
Pretty relaxed country album with nice twang but I kept getting SpongeBob vibes for some reason.
This was an interesting take on honky tonk, with jazz and lounge influences. Wasn't familiar with this album and was surprised to see it given how many hits KD Lang has on other albums. 2.5 rounded up.
It’s a classic sounding country crooning record. It doesn’t try to be too much and the lyrics are well written.
k.d. has such a beautiful voice. I'm glad she's on the list but not this album
2 boring country pop albums back to back is not for the weak.
I've never listened to this album (62). Always down for some country music.
She has always been a favorite of mine. Her voice is stunning both on record & live while her personality of kindness and humor make her more compelling.
Not for me
Okay, this one was a pleasant surprise. I did not know what to expect, but I found the sounds very relaxing. I save the album for the future, as I will definitely listen to it again. 3.5/5
3.7/5 similar songs but great sound of the canadian frontier
Dreamy in parts but a lot of this passes me by. Good background music. Nothing here to get too worked up about
This rating system is killing me. This is a 3.5 Maybe even a 4 that’s just not my flavor, but I guess we’re ranking it a 3.
Yeah
< the Beatles I like some k.d. lang but... Not this
The covers are nice; I like KDs voice, but ... country. Listened before? N Saved to library? N Favorite track(s): Lock, Stock, and Teardrops, Sugar Moon ⭐⭐⭐: Liked it.
This is probably the best singing voice of any album I've had thus far. Gorgeous vocals. Super cheesy, though. And it made me sleepy. Listened before? N Saved to library? N Favorite track(s): Once Again Around the Dance Floor, Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes ⭐⭐⭐: Liked it. Saved one track.
Good country singer.
this was very charming
Странным образом, я заценил этот альбом в большей мере во время прослушивания, чем ее главный Ingenue, но на повторном проскроливании совершенно не понимаю, с чего вдруг. Лучшая песня - Black Coffee.
Sugar Moon has SpongeBob vibes. She has a good voice.
Great
Ei tää kasarin country-pop oikein mua varten ole, vaikka ihan kiinnostava hahmo sinällään. 2/5
Kantriklassikoita hienolla äänellä. 4/5
aw
Jazzier and more country than the last album of hers that I listened to. Again, vocals are great. Tears don't care who cry them is great. Nothing insane, but that being said, its good. 4/5
Gear: HEDD Audio HEDDphone Two Artwork: ️🧑🏻😏🔲 Production: 👂🧈🔎 Music: 🤠💙👢 Rating: 👤👤(👤)/5
A very mellow country pop album, not really my style, and a lot of the songs were too slow, but I can appreciate the singer’s voice. Not bad but I don’t think I’ll revisit this one
k.d. Lang can sing! Great vampy blues country mashup.
Lang has a nice voice and this collection of Traditional Country music is better than the room temperature, watered-down, Adult Contemporary skim milk she usually produces. Hardly a must-listen, though.
k.d. lang has such an incredible voice, I really am unable to figure out why her music doesn't click with me. My current hypothesis is that I am not the intended audience, and it's ok that I'm not a big fan, even if it is masterfully made
She really has a beautiful voice. Unfortunately, her singing style is the country version of Katie Melua and I can't stand it.
Impressive album, definitely something that I would listen to again.
Nothing here caught my attention. It's fine.
i really dislike country music
Never listened to k.d. lang before but this kicks ass. If anyone says otherwise, I'm sorry but you're wrong
Pretty good. I was pleasantly surprised. I might need to dig into their other work.
Nice! I do love ms lang, and I hadn’t heard this one. Still prefer Ingenue, but this is also good.
Yeah. I loved it. I was humming along and tapping my toes. A great, great album.
Dreadful, to be honest with you. She has a good, strong voice, but it's pure showtune nonsense that really does feel about 40 years out of date. It's all very 'working in a diner in rural Virginia' to me - just vapid, show-y and blah.
Shadowland is kinda just another country album. It's not anything bad, just kinda there. I was honestly surprised to hear that this was a woman singing since Lang here, looked like a man (I guess seeing the album arts for both Iggy Pop's The Idiot and David Bowie's Heroes did that for me). Like i said at the start of this review, This album really is just a generic country album like a lot of the other ones on here. It has the music of one, the vocals, the lyrics and even a song at the end with the words "Honky Tonk" in it's title so it's got it all. It thankfully wasn't very long but i still found this album to be fairly forgettable. It's fine, just nothing all that special. Best Song: I Wish I Didn't Love You So Worst Song: Sugar Moon
This was pretty good - a bit like Patsy Cline at times.
maybe if you were more well versed in the genre youd have bigger qualms with this, its got a low rating for the website. but not me, i enjoyed it.
Absolutely love it.
Honky Tonk is definitely not my thing, only made it 3 songs in before I had to put an end to it…
I expected this to be way more avant garde it was kind of just easy listening vibes
Great record. This is a 3,8 - 4
I respect k.d. lang's singing. However, I am surprised to learn that her first solo album, Shadowland, featured all covers, given she wrote or co-wrote every song on her follow-up Ingénue. lang's singing does elevate Shadowland, but it is still Country karaoke to me.
okay, it makes a lot of sense that this was produced by the same guy who produced patsy cline: i like me some patsy cline. and i like me some dykey country. did you know i was listening to orville peck when nobody had ever heard of him?? [SOUNDS OF MY DETRACTORS ENTERING THE ROOM] i remember watching those pony music videos and thinking to myself: "is this guy gay? what's up with him" [THEY FORM A CIRCLE AROUND MY CHAIR] i streamed pony so much that summer and fall, and what do you know, he goes on to become this big thing. but i kinda stopped listening to him a little while after that. [I AM FORCIBLY PICKED UP BUT I STILL HAVE MY LAPTOP IN MY HANDS SO I KEEP TYPING] man. that was before covid. does anyone remember what it was like before covid?? why does orville peck wear that mask?? has anyone figured that out yet?? is orville peck gay???????? [I AM CARRIED OUT OF THE ROOM. END SCENE] highlights - western stars, sugar moon, i wish i didn't love you so, don't let the stars get in your eyes, i'm down to my last cigarette, busy being blue, honky tonk angels medley
Quite impressive that she captures the sound of 50s and 60s country and Western so accurately. That said, it feels more like a great pastiche than an actual classic.
This grew on me and I ended up liking it quite a bit. She really does have a great voice and the songs capture early country with a touch of cabaret, which at first threw me off, but eventually won me over.
Such an amazing voice. Fantastic album.
What an amazing rich voice! Wish the songs were worth it. There's better kd Lang albums.
#752. This is now the second album of country covers I've listened to. This is obviously significantly better than the Willie Nelson one, but honestly I still can't be bothered. 3/5: fine?
This was the first album that was generated for me. Definitely not a fan of crooning corny country ballads, but her voice is undeniably incredible. I did like the occasional hints of blues, but on the whole this was a bit of a struggle for me to get through despite the whole thing only being 35min.
really nice
Reading about her on Wikipedia, k. d. lang doesn't seem the type of person to have produced an album of such basic country songs as this. I guess it just goes to show that you can't judge a book by its cover. Anyway, this is pretty dull fare, although I enjoyed Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes.
I had no idea that this was her style. It was surprising and beautiful.
Nices voice, good music... but country is not my taste.
Interesting in that it is sort of genre defying while being somehow entirely in the pocket.
Previous to listening to this album, I had only heard a sampling of a couple of KD Lang songs and I had formed the opinion that I didn’t care for her voice. I think that must have been my old, unenlightened homophobic self talking, because many years later I think this album is awesome and that KD Lang’s voice is simply wonderful! I would give this album five stars, but since it is only a collection of covers, I will give it four stars. But I will save this one, and will definitely listen to it again.
Doesn't tickle my fancy, not big into pop country, but I do appreciate the instrumentals. There's definitely an audience for this album, just not me.
Dreadful country shite, nothing remarkable about it at all, has no place being on this list.
Genre: Countrypolitan This was a decent listen. Crystal clear, clean as a whistle, and a very solid vocal showcase, overtop some decent Country Pop stylings. Probably a record I don't need to listen to again, but one I can recommend to any country lovers out there. k.d. lang has a very nice voice! 3/5
Meh not bad. Just really not to my taste at all.
What in the name of christ almighty os this pop country crap
Country is my least favorite music genre by a mile. But I do enjoy a good lap steel guitar, and it goes well with k.d.'s laid back melancholy vocals. I'm never going to put this on, but for the purposes of this project, this is quite enjoyable.
Ammen jeg var så træt af det her bras at jeg skulle have det mere på afstand inden jeg kunne overskue at vende tilbage til den for at rate.... Det her pis er dansktop i forklædning. Stemmen er ok i meget få momenter, men musikken er en skandale!
Honky Tonk Chamber-Pop 😵💫
I'm stunned there are multiple k.d. lang albums on this list, and this was far better than the last one. Almost put me to sleep on a sleepy work afternoon. Do not listen while operating heavy machinery.
Beautiful voice but a too slow for my taste
Not for me.
Some melodies from this album can potentially be a good background music for SpongeBob series 😅
This started pretty ok then quickly become forgettable and stale. Not for me. 2/5
country, 1988 -> 2
Rating: 6/10 Pretty decent overall, a few boring songs but most of it was pretty enjoyable.