Shadowland

Absolutely adored her voice and patsy cline style.

For someone who isn't a huge fan of country, and someone who doesn't appreciate K.D. Lang (based on what I've heard from her), this album certainly exceeded my expectations. It was a mostly enjoyable listen that I have no desire to return to ever again

I kinda dig the cheese.

The Nashville sound of the mid 1950s to early 1960s (before The Beatles came along and changed the entire landscape) was brought back from the dead by K.D. Lang in the late 1980s on an excellent album called 'Shadowland' produced by Owen Bradley who produced Patsy Cline at one time which makes sense as this album has Patsy Cline all over it, from the production to the vocals and general aesthetic. A really strong country music debut that goes down as smoothly as grits and a Martini after a day in the studio with the Nashville A Team laying it all down.

I hate slide guitars. The sound to me is like nails down a chalk board. Could only manage two tracks before giving up.

Like many have said - beautiful voice shame about the music. 2/5 23/3/25

goat, but i also feel like kd lang has better albums

Pre-listening thoughts: the generator is repenting for making me listen to MORRISSEY harp on about closeted lesbians when he has no place to be doing that! Let’s go lesbians!!!! Post/during listening thoughts: this is just solid old school country covered by someone with the voice to do it. I mean if I had a voice like this I’d also be dropping 50s country covers in 1988. This was solid. 7/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no Fav tracks: Sugar Moon, Black Coffee, Shadowland, Tears Don’t Care Who Cries Them Least fav tracks: n/a

Her voice was just enough to push this to 2 stars, but only by a sliver.

Excited to listen to this one, even though I was surprised by the last kd lang album that I reviewed wasn't as country as I figured it would be. Within the first few seconds of the track, I'm flashing back to being a kid with my not out gay canadian dad in his car in the 90s...lol. I remember this song we will have to see how many more I remember. Her voice is truly incredible and smooth and beautiful. If I could sing like kd you'd never shut me up. ha. This album so far is way more "country" than the other kd lang album I reviewed during this project. "Lock Stop and Teardrops" man I love that idea. Okay, I did recognize it a little but I recognize the third song way more, "Sugar Moon" I don't know I've heard this since 1994. WOw. I feel like this song is a cross between doo wop and country. "I Wish I Didn't Love You So" wow, what a beautiful ballad. Her voice in a way reminds me a little bit of Patsy Cline. God I'm still so impressed by her singing. So I walked away to vacuum and clean the floors, so it's not gonna be a song-by-song review necessarily. Okay, her voice like I said it's of the angels, must be because she's Canadian. Overall I really enjoyed listening to this and I might actually return to it. The jazz club country vibes was a pleasure. When I finished the album, and the auto shuffle came on...it played another kd song that I totally had forgotten about that I really, really love. "Three Days" about how your pain is present "yesterday, today and tomorrow." It might even make me get out my ukulele and see if I can play and sing it too.

It’s ok….just didn’t do much for me.

I can see the value of modern country that isnt sung by old white men and i liked the slide guitar on this. But it passed me by without making any impression at all.

this one ain't it.

Fun and very western-twangy. Short and sweet too, which makes it a nice quick listen. Decent overall sound, otherwise unremarkable. Top tracks: I Wish I Didn't Love You So, Tears Don't Care Who Cries Them, Honkey Tonk Angels Medley

Albumi #177, 16.03.2025 Kanadalaisen countrypoppari k.d. langin soolodebyytti julkaistiin vuonna 1988. Varsin mukavaa countryvetoista fiilistelyä, mutta omaan countrymakuuni liian kliinistä.

Really boring

Unbearably smooth country flavored wallpaper.

Good choice, but boring songwriting... Again elevator music, nice for background music, but nothing interesting or surprising... So again, meh...

More like KD Range! What a spectrum of musical abilities. And a menagerie of sounds…

Good voice is all to say

Is this what listening to country music in Bikini Bottom feels like?

Capably executed songs by talented musos in a genre I can’t stand

Ehh, kind of boring. Liked some of the country stuff but overall 35 minutes felt too long which is not a great sign. High 2.

I imagine that if Patsy Cline and Nancy Sinatra had a baby, it would sound like this. Her voices pairs very well with these songs.

I assume the retro sound was intentional and I think it worked well. I have no idea if this is representative of the rest of K.D. Lang's music but I enjoyed this. We got all of good parts of classic Nashville sound country without any of the poor audio quality that normally accompanies it. The bonus stars in the final track were fun too and brought the album full circle for me.

wow what a voice

point6.

Well this is the closest you’ll get to a Patsy Cline album on this list. Which is a sin. But this is a pretty good facsimile! The song quality diminishes a bit towards the end. Deserves 3.5 stars but I’m going to round it down to three because of that.

I didn’t know what to expect, and this was perfect for the long drive in the rain I had

I really enjoyed her diversity of sounds, pitch perfect voice and impeccable guitar. Never gave her a listen before but wouldn't turn her off now.

Pretty lounge music. It is amazing how much you can hear Brandi Carlile in her vocals. It is also just kind of creepy how female country singers from the 80s/90s pretty much only sing about being cheated on. I guess that has not changed a ton in the subsequent decades, but in recent times the vibe has turned from sorrow to retribution. In fact, the latter seems to have become our new national pastime. I liked sorrow better.

lounge country isn’t a genre I know for sure exists, but I like it if it does!

Album 703 of 1001 k.d. lang - Shadowland (1988) Rating : 4 / 5 Such a great vocalist. Again, I'm not a big country fan but I find it hard to go with the "country" label that's been put on this one even though there are so many country elements there. She is kind of her own genre but I guess that all came later as this was her debut solo album...and a nice first album it is.

Ik dacht de hele tijd aan spongebob

Very good album, country but with a twist

Ok

I am not a fan of country. That being said the only song off this album is found semi enjoyable was There's Don't Care Who Cries Them which sound like it came off of a Linda Ronstadt and the Nelson Riddle Orchestra album.

Lovely! 4/5

All covers and none as good as the originals.

Not my style at all. Not sure why this one is on the list. Seems unremarkable, even in its genre.

What a beautiful, soulful, melancholy country album who's singer has such a gorgeous voice. I'm not a huge fan of country and this held my attention so good job on that front :)

It's a good record, well produced, and KD can certainly sing, but I have one major issue: it sounds like Patsy Cline. I love Patsy Cline, but if I want to listen to Patsy Cline, I listen to Patsy Cline. KD convinced Pasty's producer to come on board for this recording, and not only did he oblige; he did what he knew to do: make a Patsy Cline album. I enjoyed the recording much more than I admittedly wanted to, but I struggle with this album being on the list. If I were to commit to buying 1001 albums, although I think I already own that many, anyway, if I had 1001 You Must Hear Before You Die in my room, would I have this and not Patsy Cline, as the list suggests? Should it be the way Patsy is not on it, or do I have this great album, but without Patsy Cline, this album does not exist? See, it's conflicting, considering Patsy did help pave the way for female country singers in a very big way. Some may argue that Patsy is a hits artist, given how music was sold and produced, but her second record, Showcase with the Jordanaires, is an amazing album. I highly suggest you visit that record and listen to this album. Both have the same backing singers; although they are only on three tracks with Shadowlands, both have the same producer and feature multiple musicians from the Cline record. The tracks have a feel to them, familiar, so remarkably familiar. See, I knew who KD Lang was and was familiar with her existence at the time, the 1988 time when Shadowland was released, but I have never listened to it until now, and it grows on you due to the familiarity of the music. If you appreciate country music, especially the classics, and have never listened to this, I assure you will see what she has done; all the tracks are familiar. They all sound like many other songs and yet have an individual feel. It's pure homage and is done extremely well, from the production to the Jordanaires doing the backing vocals. It reminds me of a Tarantino film where he utilizes actors from classic exploitation films to redux their roles in a sense, and she nailed it. After all that rambling, maybe it does belong. I have two more years to work through this list, so that that time will tell. Shadowland is a fantastic record with only a few weak tracks, but it is not one thing. No matter how hard it tries, it isn't Patsy Cline's most successful record because, without Showcase, you cannot have Shadowland—or perhaps it's Showcase Shadowland. Note: Showcase dropped in 1961, and two albums from that year are on the list. If you look at the best albums from 1961, you will find Coltrane's My Favorite Things. I assure you, you need to hear it unless you hate jazz.

I appreciate some of Lang's music, she can certainly write and has a nice voice. However, "Western swing" music just isn't my thing and I found this a hard album to listen to.

Listened Before? N I've heard of her and was familiar with some of her later works. This one is pretty good - the atmosphere is good. Makes me feel like I'm hanging out in the Nevada desert in the middle of the night. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: I'm Down to My Last Cigarette

One of the most beautiful voices ever.

one of my fav lesbian icons Western Stars - 4/5 Lock, Stock and Teardrops - 3/5 Sugar Moon - 4/5 I Wish I Didn't Love You So - 4/5 (Waltz Me) Once Again Around the Dance Floor - 3/5 Black Coffee - 4/5 Shadowland - 3/5 Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes - 4/5 Tears Don't Care Who Cries Them - 3/5 I'm Down to My Last Cigarette - 4/5 Busy Being Blue - 4/5 Honky Tonk Angels Medley - 2/5 Average score - 3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ the children yearn for more queer country music

She has a wonderful voice. I like the last 2 songs. Not my genre

Pleasantly chill and easy listening 1950s style country where k.d. lang's voice comes through like soft butter on a slice of toast. She's like a country crooner, and I'm here for it.

I have come to really enjoy K.D. Lang thanks to this list. This album wasn't quite as good as Ingenue, but still really enjoyable.

Stunning. Lang straddles the neo-traditionalist country she started out with and the voice, sound & maturity of Ingénue. Countrypolitan to its core, Bradley did an amazing job bringing a nostalgic air to the proceedings well worth listening to for the project and after.

Love KD. Not my favorite album but certainly liked many of the songs especially Black Coffee.

Music with an old soul. Classic crooner country (and a little bit of cool, smoky jazz) with beautiful production. She’s got a great voice for this style.

This was such an enjoyable listen on a rather drab Monday morning in February. It's a quick listen as it's just short of 36 minutes but I found myself bopping to each one. Nice structures, nice production, and nice tunes. I think with a few more listens I'll like it even more.

Nice album, great voice, just a bit dated.

There had to be country at some point, and for me it took until almost 400 albums in. Great voice, but I can't stand the music.

Not the worst thing in the world which is a win!

Never heard of k.d. lang before and man this one rocked. Canadian Cowpunk indeed. I will be listening to the rest of k.d. lang's discography now

I'm not really a country gal, but hey, "torch country" (thanks for that, Wiki) apparently does it for me. It's also jazzy, in places. I didn't know k.d. lang had recorded an album of covers before coming up with Ingénue. Her voice is so gorgeous that I forgave any cheesiness; the album is soothing, sultry in places, and beautifully crafted.

Just loved it

Ok

Either not my taste or I just wasn't in the mood for this one. Kind of a downer of an album mostly, which is fine sometimes but not what I was looking for today. Lang does her thing well enough though. In my brain, her name is forever synonymous with this obscure song that used to pop up on the radio in the early 1990s: https://youtu.be/TlHfvXTOB2k?si=1fR0cZwrj7gRn5Ye

She has a good voice but not my kinda music. Liked one song which saved this from being a 1⭐️

Easy listening

swanky

Treading the line between very relaxing and just dull. Sounds more like it's from the 50s than the 80s.

Country warbling

4 seconds in and I think this is country music - fuck that shit. Apple Music says it's pop. Ok, fine, skip to next song. 2 seconds in, slide guitar. This is country music and can, therefore, go fuck itself.

Didn't really have any expectations for this. It's kind of a cross between country and holiday music. It's not bad by any means, but not for me.

# 406 : Sweet and powerful voice, but alas more unbearable country music…

2.1 First couple of songs I thought ok, I can withstand this. Nice voice, not my music, the slide guitar particularly grating but I can get through it. Half way in and I'm done. The singings got more grating, the slide guitar is beyond help, and I'm finding the rage boiling up inside. Not as bad as most country but not that much better.

Oh no, k.d. lang has 2 albums on this list?!? Fml. This one is better than the other one I had to suffer through (Ingenue). Favourite songs: Honky Tonk Angels Medley, (Waltz Me) Once Again Around the Dance Floor, I Wish I Didn't Love You So, Sugar Moon, Busy Being Blue Least favourite songs: Shadowland, Tears Don't Care Who Cries Them 3/5

I had heard of k.d. lang before, but didn’t realize they were country. What a great vibe this was.

Albums like this is why Im thankful for this whole process. I really don’t know how I would’ve came across this. k.d.’s voice is one of the better ones I’ve heard and the band playing along side is just as sharp. One of my new all time country albums.

not my favorite, not terrible

I'm normally not a fan of country. But I found this mix of country and some very light blues quite nice.

No va

Чесно кажучи, багато про цей другий альбом k. d. lang писати не хочеться. Це просто гарна поп музика, із додаванням #country елементів. Що у порівнянні із дебютним «веселим»альбомом -звучить більш вишукано та спокійно. Але сказати, що вона є прямо «шикарною», та переосмислює кантрі музику - я нажаль, не можу. Ось її четвертий альбом Ingénue - це вже зовсім інша справа, бо тут ми вже чуємо доволі зрілий #baroquepop та, можна сказати, #altcountry із додаванням «спокійного» #jazz - у. І на «потрійному» альбомі case / lang / veirs де вона співає разом із Neko Case та Laura Veirs - її талант розкриється на повну…проте, це вже зовсім інша історія.

Would have skipped the songs if I heard it on my own....but I did finish the album.

Beautiful voice

I'm sure this was good but I just did not care that much. Not my thing

That was not what I expected. I thought I knew K.D. Lang but turns out I did not think that's what she was like. It was interesting but weird.

I'll start directly with my grade for once: Musical competency: 5/5 (as for 99% of the records listed here) Production values : 1/1. Relatively timeless for a country album produced during the dreadful eighties. Vocal performance : 1/1. No one can deny the heartfelt vocal chops of k.d. lang. Personality: 0/1. It's a debut album exclusively made out of covers. Compositional work: 0/1 (or very close). It's a debut album exclusively made out of covers that are VERY predictable or "by-the-book". There's a nice song here and there ("Black Coffee", the title-track...). But not enough to make this LP a thrilling listening experience. Groundbreaking aspects or thematic impact or lyrics that would be particularly striking...: none of the above, 0/1. So that's 7/10 for *Shadowland*, but if we talking about *essential* albums here, only the last five points matter (musical competency is a given for acts reaching those heights, apart from the Shaggs, maybe). And this is how I interpret the five stars grading system in this app. Which gives us a 2/5 mark. In other words, there's nothing to really hate in this record, but there isn't really anything to love either. 1/5 albums are often more memorable than 2/5 LPs, very ironically. Ain't life cruel? Number of albums left to review: went over the 1001 line, those are the extra LPs mentioned because the lists evolved from one edition of the book to the next... Number of albums I'll keep in my own list: almost half, approximately, I've temporarily lost the exact count here Number of albums I *might* keep: a small quarter, approximately. Number of albums I won't keep: a large quarter, almost a third (including this one) Next, please.

It has a mellow, dreamy, old-timey feel with plenty of steel guitars and fiddles that create a nice consistent mood. KD's vocals are outstanding and she keeps it interesting throughout.

Great voice

KD goes country was never on my radar. She's pretty damn good at it too, its more like that small town watering hole country music at points between love ballads. I just really enjoyed this one.

Didn’t know KD Lang was a country crooner but I loved it! Great music, her vocal performance reminds me of Anna Calvi, and “Tears don’t care who cries them” is a great! Really enjoyed this one and am going to check out her earlier albums before this one which are described as “cowpunk” on Wikipedia and I gotta see what the h*ck that means

country mit modernem poptouch und blues - trotzdem immer noch herausfordernd, länger als drei tracks zu hören.

Sowas von bieder. Weiss nicht, wieso diese Platte auf der Liste ist.

Slog

Not at all where my mind goes when I think of Country or Pop. This album felt like it had some Hawaiian influence but still maintained it's western roots. I really enjoyed the blending of the vocals with the acoustic guitar. Long vocal notes would eventually turn into a long guitar note and it would be hard to identify where one began and the other ended.

Really good!! Almost a 4 but not my usual genre choice - but thorough enjoyed

1/15/25. This one was a pleasant surprise. First time learning about k.d. lang, she has a pleasant, almost jazzy like voice over a country sound. I'd consider buying this record if I collected physical media.

Boring Boring Boring

Wow her voice is really incredible and the material is top notch, great playing, great arrangements and production. I'm not a country fan but the overall quality of this album transcends genres. 4 stars

An inoffensive album of low-stakes country covers by singer-songwriter k.d. lang was not an encounter I’d anticipated, but I’ll take it for a Monday.

Smooth country flavored wallpaper. Come on, generator - let's have a better week please!

Not bad, but I'm not really a fan. Some honky tonk country songs mixed with some (better) blues songs. Good voice, but it needs some good music.

I reviewed k.d. lang's Ingenue last spring, and I didn't particularly care for it. I knew that I'd still have one more of her albums to review, and I wasn't particularly excited to see Shadowland come up for me today (although it's interesting that I got Everything But The Girl's Idlewild yesterday, which is also from 1988). Even though I'm not jazzed about listening to this album, I'm still willing to give it a fair shot! Shadowland wasn't really my jam, but I thought it was better than Ingenue. One of the few things that I liked on Ingenue was k.d.'s vocals, and they were great on this album. Who could have guessed that a Canadian lesbian would have a voice so well suited for country music? I felt like the album got better as it went along; that might be due to me becoming more comfortable with it as I got deeper into it, but I think it's because it opened up more stylistically on the second side of the album. "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes" had a really good southwestern flair to it, and I loved how the pedal steel was utilized in a different way than it had been up until that point. "I'm Down to My Last Cigarette" had a wonderful honky tonk sound to it, and some of the best pedal steel playing on the album. The songwriting was really great on this album, as it was on Ingenue, but this album was definitely more enjoyable to listen to, mostly due to it having more variation in the sound. If it weren't for the weaker first half of the album, I'd probably give this album four stars, but this lands more middle of the road for me.

8/3/89 Deer Creek Music center ...kd opened for Hank Jr. I remember her being a great performer with an exceptional voice. However, I'm ok with never hearing Constant Craving ever again. Obviously we're not reviewing either here...but I havent had much exposure to her work over the years. I saw she won some awards with Tony Bennett. I will have to give that record a listen. This is not my bag at all, but she is so very talented and I'm sure this is one of her signature albums for her listeners.

Breathy country show tunes. Her voice is nice but the album is a chore to get through.

3.7/5

Good voice but kind of like end credit music at the end of a 6/10 TV show episode. Better then the Radiohead album but can’t give a 2.5

I always thought kd Lang sang suddenly I see but I realise that’s KT tunstall

I’m not generally a country music fan but I enjoyed this more and more as it progressed. Beautiful accompanying music on the title track. Best tracks: “Shadowland” and “I wish I didn’t love you so”

Look, it’s not for me, but I can appreciate the sheer talent of k.d. Tbh the only song of hers I previously knew was her cover of Hallelujah sung for the opening of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver (which is mandatory listening btw). I was definitely bopping my leg on the train to (Waltz Me) Once Again Around the Dance Floor and can imagine absolutely cutting a rug to this at line dancing.

I have never listened to this artist before. Listening conditions: Leg day Ngl listening to these albums back to back while trying to do legs has been pretty tough. I don’t remember any of the songs on this album immediately after listening. When I did tune in I can’t say I was fully enjoying the album. I probably won’t listen to it again.

Pleasant enough but never amazed me

Lang has a golden voice and a mountain of respect for her musical tradition.

I'm not a fan of country music so I've avoided k.d. lang up til I was served this album. What a remarkable and marvelous voice. Absolutely floored by how much I loved listening.

Great songs, stunning voice, sounds fantastic

Great voice, unfortunately for me this type of music is just absolutely unbearable to listen to. I stopped after third song, it didn't make sense anyway. Sorry KD Lang, I really tried.

Kjedelig

Not for meh

Schöner Gesang, schöne Melodien, angenehm anzuhören.

Country, croony, and anachronistic. It’s a pretty good listen for a debut and I enjoyed it much more than her second outing.

This was really boring album to me, although it has good instrumentals and although I love country, every song sounds kinda similar to previous one and next one

Solid country album. I enjoyed it.

Not for me 1/5

Too much Country, not enough Singer/Songwriter.

Works like this are sonically passable, but do they really deserve to be on a list of the 1001 most important albums in history? Shadowland sounds like a 40s or 50s soft jazz-country album, but released (incredibly) in 1988. It's such a step backwards in musical progress that you have to wonder if the authors of 1001 Albums sprinkled in a few personal favourites to pad the numbers. Toronto Star described the music as "purely retrogressive and deferential", and if that's not an indicator of a record that shouldn't be on this list, I don't know what is. The music isn't very memorable or interesting, though I'll give that it sounds pretty good. The production is on-point. k.d. lang's voice is consistently silky and beautiful (some jazz scat would've gone hard). I enjoyed the horns throughout, and the quietly intense strings on various songs, including Black Coffee. There isn't much in the way of album experience/flow – that is, not many "ups" and "downs" to keep the listener seriously engaged – but then, the same is true of most albums. 3/5 Key tracks: Western Stars, Black Coffee, Tears Don't Care Who Cries Them

there's too much honky tonk on this list

Eh, I don’t know. Not horrible but not for me. 2/5

I don't get it, great voice though

It's pretty solid

ósköp áferðarfallegt. söngur og spil. köntrískotið. gef þessu aðra. 3,5.

Bluesy country with crisp clean high gloss production, a yodeling twangy vocal, lush arrangements and the slightest twist on some classic genre songwriting that does, in the end, become a bit generic. The late 80s is an interesting moment in the recurrent back and forth exchange between country, rock, and pop with urban cowboy, Dwight Yoakam, cowpunk and the rest embracing and reworking the the Nashville, outlaw, and roadhouse archetypes for a very knowing almost pastiche but not winking continuation of the sound.

Yeah it was alright. Not too much to add. I mean it was good but it didnt get me

Really like this old style country. Not sure why an authentic 50’s album wasn’t included rather than an 80s facsimile, but the books list appears to diss earlier music (I know 50’s was the time of the single and it was basic recording and all). Know this album anyway, when she hits it’s real sweet.

A surprise to be sure but a welcome one. Enjoyed this a lot more than I expected, really enjoyed the vibe of this album, I really enjoy good classic country and this feels like a great example of that genre.

I get this version of country but not a single Waylon Jennings album so far? Or Haggard. Zero Hank Williams, Bob Wills, Chet Atkins, but we must listen to this hotel lounge country caricature before we die? She has a nice voice, but for everything saying she's similar to Patsy Cline, I'd rather just listen to Patsy Cline.

Not my thing. Didn't realize country was the style. Can't say I didn't like it, but not something I am particularly interested in right now.

Knew this would have subtlety to it, accentuated with witty lyrics. Like the Country Western flare. As a fan of Brandi Carlile, this was a fun one to visit.

Relaxing, chill, well produced country-pop. It isn't memorable music but it's a pleasant enought listen on a rather boring Saturday. Though, it's not something I'll actively listen again.

Just a bit boring, and in a boring way and about 40 years outdated

This won’t last more than a few minutes in my memory. It’s fine for what it is, but I don’t need what it is.

She has a nice voice but overall was not my style.

Was not expecting a country album. A lovely smooth voice - but not really my bag - very MOR/hotel lobby vibes.

Pleasant enough, quite relaxing

That is not what I expected K.D Lang to sound like. Didn’t hate it though. Simpsons: No

It was alright.

Not for me, it was kinda boring, but thankfully it wasn't too long and was over quickly.

I hated this with a passion. I don’t know why but I did

I didn't think this would be so folky. Sort of enjoyed it though.

Fun album. Nice folk/country sound

I definitely didn't expect a second kd lang album in this generator and I'm not sure that it was really necessary. But as modern country goes, it's ok. Also pretty interesting that an androgynous woman had made such waves in a genre known for its conservatism. There are quite a few big names on here which would be exciting for country music fans but don't mean much to me. I don't love this one but she's got a good voice and there's nothing really to be offended by so I'm inclined to be kind.

Good

It’s been a while since I listened to this album, although I used to play it a lot. I enjoyed getting to know it again. kd lang’s voice is excellent and really suited to the material, essentially country jazz torch songs. I first heard her on her duet with Roy Orbison and her voice sits somewhere between his and Patsy Cline’s. Black Coffee and I’m Down To My Last Cigarette are particularly good. Really well produced and played, with a lovely pedal steel snaking through many of the tracks.

You knoe country by the instruments used and playing style but this is more than that. I can hear blues, jazz and rock influences that keep the interest and variety up. Along with a great voice this makes this an excellent album that I thoroughly enjoyed. I will listen to more of her.

beautiful voice by the singer. All songs have a Christmas carol feel to it. favorite track: black coffee other picks: western stars, busy being blue

I’m not American but this is some good country music

Silky smooth, the best kind of country. A bit too hokey at parts though.

She can definitely sing but not nearly as good as the previous one

245 days in, I've discovered 3 albums I've never heard before that get 5 stars. This is one of them. I wish someone would have made me listen back in 1988 or even 1992 after Constant Craving hit big. I love this album for all it is. Stylized, well produced, thought out, blend of styles, familiar and original at the same time.

Day335 - i guess this is mostly a covers album but what a voice she has.

I like the bluesy sound.

Artiste inconnue. Quel ennui ! Même ses 35 mn paraissent interminables, je ne suis pas allé au bout. =>1/5

Great voice but an overall generic, forgettable country

Holy crap. A collection of some of the most mediocre songs ever recorded in the most mediocre of ways. I strongly suspect this album was created to appeal to accountants

Wasn’t what I expected to be fair, so I suppose that’s something. I’ll never listen to it again of course, nor seek out any further offerings from the artist. But it’s fine for what it is I suppose?

K. D. Lang was about 30 years too late with her sound. This is like when archaeologists find an artifact and are confused by the date. No, you didn't make a mistake with your carbon dating, the person who made that vase was just trying some sort of revivalist technique, but ended up confusing everyone.

I didn't know what to expect having never heard of the artist. The cover and title put me in mind of the Cure or Sisters of Mercy. Good voice and decent songs

Even though this is not my style of music, I can totally appreciate her voice. Absolutely stunning vocals.

I agree with a lot of the reviews. Cabaret / Christmas songs that are perfect for a hotel or restaurant. There is nothing on here that grabs you or is worth listening too. I have no idea how it made the list.

Wasn't my thing. My grandmother would've love this. In fact, she probably did. Need to check her cassettes...

Fine

mahtava laulattaja la la la la lallaslaaa... ai että.. ai että.. Uskomaton albumi.. raskas.... noeii, kepistävä, kepestävää askelta laittaa alle tämä poika... anteeks tyttö heh... Joo nyt TÄMÄ on ALBUMI! En kestä kantrimusiikkia tai niin luulin! luulin että en kestä.. mutta tätä kestää.. tämä järisytti täydellisesti ymmärrykseni koko genrestä.. tämä... tämä kahdeksankytluvun kd lang albumi muutti koko vitun maailmankuvani ylös alaisin! näin siinä käy kun ei kuuntele musiikkia.. imagine this guy listen to taylor swift (top country artist). ollaankin yhtäkkiä salkku kädessä jonossa, odottamassa konserttilippuja mukavasti jonossa.. hiljaa ja katse eteenpäin.. busy bleing bue

***A beautiful, easy listening album. Beautiful voice. Easy tempo.

Not as impactful as the previous kd lang record we’ve pulled from this list. A bit more outwardly country & folksy, maybe a tad too much so. Not bad by any means, just not the best offering

Glossy kitsch. It almost got me, it's very well made kitsch, maybe even outstanding in its way, but any course of three songs on this album makes me conjure up images of US themed family restaurants here in Europe, where the walls are plastered with Bogarts and Monroes and James Deans and Harley Davidson logos. This music may have come from an honest place, appreciated, but it being from 1988 and sounding the slick part makes it come across almost like a Thomas Kinkade painting. And then I'm wondering; if this whole list wasn't so anglocentric, what would be the equivalent to this but from other countries? What if we had to listen to albums that conjured mental images of, say, Germany themed family restaurants, decorated with Lederhosen, papier-mâché Alps, 99 Luftballons and portraits of Helmut Kohl? Yeah. That would fucking suck. Exactly.

Shadowland Wasn’t quite expecting this. I only know and dislike Constant Craving so I assumed that this would be more of that kind of dullness. But this is actually a perfectly decent and listenable jazz inflected country pop album. The playing is nice, the songs are well chosen and her voice is very good, deeply toned and jazzy. There’s nothing particularly exciting or remarkable, but there’s nothing bad either, and it’s all over in 35 minutes. I suppose the main black mark would be that it does feel rather inessential, sometimes that can be annoying, but it seems fine for this. I’d probably not choose to listen again, but if I did put it on I wouldn’t mind it. I suppose that makes it the definition of a 3. 👤👤👤 Playlist submission: Honky Tonk Angels’ Medley

God damn but this is dreary. There's no denying she can really sing, but a 40s / 50s inflected collection of country covers is very far from my cup of tea, and I doubt its validity in this list.

UNIRONICALLY i fwt shit's soulful af

As a lesbian, I would like to apologize to k.d. lang and to all of my community. I wanted to like it. I tried so hard to like it. 2 stars

Short songs but good. Really nice guitar. I don't usually like this tempo as much but this worked. Soothing, smooth. Highlights: Western Stars Waltz Me

She has a great voice, and while I like the jazz and cabaret style influences, I absolutely detest cheesy country music. And cheesy country music it certainly is.

Lesbian country lorddd 😩 😩 Jokes aside she has such a beautiful voice and its like Spanish influence and everything is so smooth, straight fire. Fav Songs: Western Stars, I Wish I Didn't Love You So, Tears Don't Care Who Cries Them

Meh

Aye now THIS is an ALBUM! I can’t stand country music or so I thought! But this was so good, her voice, the lyrics, the guitar. Whew! The last four songs are fucking incredible, shoutout to my girl K.D.!

Blind album and artist. Not sure why, maybe it's the voice, or the style, but I did NOT like this...

wow. bad

k d Lang's voice is so beautiful, lighting up this collection of country songs. Nothing to dislike here

She has an incredible voice, but there is just something about the way this album feels that seems hokey to me. It kind of reminds me of something you would see during a PBS pledge drive. Incredibly accomplished musicians making music that somehow lacks real soul to it.

Liked the mood of this - the ex-Cline producer makes total sense with the sound. Not sure it added much that you wouldn't get from the Patsy original template, but was pleasant enough and the medley of voices was a lovely closer.

Proper old ragtime vibes here. The voice is superb, the songs stand up well. The country slide guitar grates after a while. But a decent debut.

It was ok. Country folk. Not my style

1. ztarz - 2 2. tearz - 1.5 3. moon - 1 4. love - 1.5 5. dance - 1 6. coffee - 1 7. zhadouu - 2 8. eyez - 1.5 9. criez - 2 10. cigarette - 1.5 11. blue - 2 12. honky tonk - 1

1.5 weird new wave that became honky tonk

Hard to rate. It's a downer of an album but her singing voice is pretty solid. You've just got to be in the mood for a lot of slow paced mopey stuff. I feel like I'm being harder on it that I intended because it wasn't awful to listen to at all. 2.5 bumped to 3.

Beautiful voice

A sweet album, was nice to listen to but I don't think I will listen again. I preferred the second half a lot more. Standout tracks: - Tears don't care who cries them 4/5 - Busy being blue 3.5/5 - Honky tonk angels medley 3.5/5 (I love doing this 1001 albums thing bc who knew I loved honky tonk so much?!)

Soft vanilla blues

This was a wonderful surprise. It was as much blues/R&B as it was country. Avery nice mix of all styles that integrated very well with each other. She has a really nice voice. This album was a good introduction to K.D.

I'm sorry but this is generic and devoid of originality. Patsy Cline C&W wannabe (even used Patsy's producer). I prefer her later stuff.

Shadowland is a bit of a mixed bag, all the country stuff is bang average and not close to any of the good country we've had, but the tracks that move away from that into ballads and soulful singing are quality, like Black Coffee, the title track, Tears Don't Care Who Cries Them and then the bluesy Busy Being Blue. Those are worthy of a 4 on their own, the rest of the album a 2, so we'll meet in the middle at a nice 3.

Nice voice, but not nice enough to get me excited about this lowfi country sound. The ballads she does are much better, and she can compete with the best when it comes to ballading, but the country stuff is just dull if not irritating. Squeaks a low 3.

Very pleasant, and TDCWCT is one of my all time faves. Thanks kd!

"Shadowland" is the debut solo album by Canadian pop and country singer-singwriter k.d. Lang. Lang brought in Owen Bradley to produce as he had produced Patsy Cline. The album is essentially Lang's reinterpretation of and homage to country songs of the 50's and 60's. Commercially, the album hit #73 on US Billboard Top 200 and #9 on the US Country Charts. The album actually starts with the relatively modern song in Chris Isaak's "Western Stars." Acoustic and steel pedal guitars. A lovely voice, yes, Patsy Cline comes to mind. Her heart is bound to break tonight. The band goes more electric in Roger Miller's "Lock, Stock and Teardrop" with electric guitar and more steel pedal. Bass, piano and background doo-wop singers. She throws a fun song in with "(Waltz Me) Once Again Around the Dance Floor." A violin solo. Prominent bass. Piano driven. And, of course, a waltz. A mexican-sounding guitar starts "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes." A country beat. An orchestral background highlights "Tears Don't Care Who Cries Them." Langs' voice just magical. Great background vocals. Lang collaborates with Kitty Wells, Loretta Lynn and Brenda Lee in the closing song "Honky Tonk Angels' Medley." A country guitar and beat. All women singing together and then get their solo turns. The girls ramble though medleys of three songs in three minutes. This had to be the high point of the recording for Lang. Lang shows a tremendous range with her voice - gentle, soaring, emotional and sultry. Great varied musical production. This album sounds both modern and retro. There's really not a bad interpretation of any song. A great debut album giving every indication of the superstar to come. High recommendation.

First listen. Ok.

The old-timey C&W swing might not be your thing, but her voice is always sublime. Why did she make this record in 1988? Because that's what she knew and loved out on the prairie in the middle of nowhere.

Not a fan. Appreciate that it was popular in its day and time, but not my style. Forget if I finished it. Listened to a lot then skipped around to ensure. I think i may have liked a couple seconds of one or two songs. Would rather listen to tv on the radio album lol

i prefer p.g. lang

These faithful reproductions aren't really my thing, even if they are as beautifully done as this was.

k.d. lang does straight country music? I had no idea that's where she got her start. I think of her as the Constant Craving singer, more folk pop. She has a real Patsy Cline vibe. Which makes sense because I just now learned it was produced by the same guy who produced Cline's best known works. This is a revelation. k.d lang is awesome! I love this album and I would never have expected that. This has a Dwight Yoakam kind of feeling. She should have stuck with this, I'd rather listen to this album than almost any other \"country\" music produced since 1988.

It's no Ingénue, thats about all I can say.

included koska? Mitätöntä country albumia taas..

Incredible voice, well crafted country, just not my thing.

I was surprised by this album. K.d. Lang’s voice was absolutely incredible, she really blew me away at points during the album. Musically, it does not disappoint. Violin and pedal steel swells help to add emotional highs and lows to the songs of love and heart break. Sometimes it’s western-swing/pop, sometimes it wasn’t. Not sure I’d revisit often, but I could see revisiting the album.

Nice voice. It is really boring. Dull country tropes. Next.

No, please stop.

Actually some nice easy listening songs mixed in here. Gotta be in the right mood though, soft 3.

It’s not for me. It’s a mix of slow country ballads, honky to k and blues that I just can’t connect with. The song construction isn’t bad, but I don’t feel connected to it. Also knowing this is from the late 80’s, it’s not exactly breaking new ground. 2/5.

Finally an album I really like that I haven’t heard of. Lang has a beautiful voice and a good mix of songs and instrumental arrangements!

3+

Relaxing asf

Nicely done.

Such a beautiful voice!!!

Chill background countryfied music, good voice. I had another album by her like 2 weeks ago so that's a weird coincidence?

I do really like her voice. I still don't understand why an album of mostly cover songs makes this list.

I don’t like country. I don’t typically like singer-songwriters. I like this album though, it’s so lovely. I’ve heard the criticism that it’s just a bunch of covers performed cabaret style and.. that’s pretty reductive and a misunderstanding of the type of person k.d. lang is. She’s exactly the type of person to want to perform covers in a smoky nightclub. lang’s voice is soulful and emotional with an incredible tone and range. The musical performances are all clean and professional, and the guest singers add a real lively touch. The first time I saw k.d. lang was on Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special in 1988 and she’s always been a Canadian icon as far as I can recall. That bias aside, she deserves every bit of love and respect for her contributions to music, art, and her support of gay, animal, and human rights.

Are Canadians even allowed to make country music?

What a voice. Nice production

Great voice. Can't say I need to hear this album again.

Interesting sound. Sort of blues, some jazz, some pop.

Wow, not what I was expecting. Not exactly my favorite style of music, but she definitely has a great voice.

Garbage

Boring. This came out 22 years after Revolver, there's no excuse for it.

I normally don’t mind country music but this is probably a bit too sad and ballast for me

A lovely listen but nothing special, especially since it came out in ‘88

its just not very much

Þetta voru kósý rólegheit með smá kántrýívafi. Ég fílaði þetta en það er samt ólíklegt að ég muni muna eftir þessu og setja plötuna aftur á. Mér fannst þetta samt alveg prýðilegt dæmi.

Familiar with her contemporary hits but this is really great. She really has a great voice. Forgot that it was KD Lang I was listening to on this album. Reminiscent of Patsy Kline to me. Enjoyed it.

I've only listened to Ingénue before after falling in love with Constant Craving back in college. I learned a bit about her story and how she became such an icon in the queer community. I was reading a bit about her after listening to Shadowland, and came across an article in the Guardian where she is described as a "Sapphic North Star." I love that. Her vocals on this album are so lovely, pure, and open. Her voice is a 10/5 stars. I've now listened a few times through, and while I always cozy up to the mood of the album, I find I can't recall what the songs sound like later. I definitely enjoy Ingénue more, and look forward to the day I get it for this project.

Nice enough for the background music while I sip the first drink in the evening on a cruise ship. Otherwise wouldn't be reaching for this any time soon.

Not great. It’s all haunting country western.

Country is not really my thing but she sounds great

I thought this was a really good country album. Reminded me a lot of the old Crystal Gayle songs from the 70s. 3.75/5

Ok

Polished pop country With a sultry, yet full voice, And a Hollywood sheen

Not bad, kind of nice to listen to. Good voice but didn't find a lot of depth.

She has a great voice and talent. It's like strange jazzy country fusion. But I'm probably never going to listen to it beyond today. Don't let the Stars Get in your Eyes really took me back.

Great late-night country atmosphere

Country, folksy stuff that puts me to sleep.

Always happy to get some KD, she's a Pee Wee alum. I listened to the album all the way through and enjoyed it, but nothing to write home about.

Redemption time for k.d. lang. This is our second from her, and I think her more prominent/famous album, it's certainly more country than the previous (which was "cabaret" style pop). It actually sounds nice, I could see her being a sonic influence for someone like Orville Peck. Some of these songs sound like timeless classics, the kind of music that could play in Fallout. Well, what do you know, I think they're all covers. That deflates me a little bit, but it's still an enjoyable ride. There were a couple tracks that start to veer into that cabaret, burlesque-type vibe, and it's just not for me at all. Had this album leaned even more country/western, I think a 4 would've been in order. Favorite tracks: Western Stars, I Wish I Didn't Love You So, Don't Let the Stars Get In Your Eyes. Album art: Just a headshot of k.d. (wow, four of our last six albums have just been headshot covers). Black and white works well here, very striking with her hair. Font is decent too, obvious throwback to the era she's seeking to emulate. Not a very interesting cover, but it's fine. 3.5/5

Alltílagi bara, flott rödd.

p598. 1988. 4 stars. Strangely alluring country/jazz hybrid, matched with a fabulous voice. Terrific production, and it rarely strays into yee-haw. Perfect late evening music.

I did not want this album to end. This is pure country perfection. I don't know what happened during this 3rd listen, but let's just say I became a superfan. So much emotion and heart packed into the delivery of every line, and the perfect arrangements. My god I don't know what else to say about this album. Best 35 minutes of my life

3.5☆/5 08.10.2024

Phenomenal. Her voice made me like this style of music. 4.5, loved it.

One of the best voices in western music history

I really did not enjoy this. I thought I was going to like this because I like "Constant Craving" but this style of music just felt cheesy to me. I was very disappointed.

i am unsure who i was mixing up KD Lang with, but this was a pleasant surprise for a first thing in the morning listen. I've been developing a soft spot for older & femme-fronted country recently. songs didnt feel particularly distinct but i liked the vibe. 3.5

Every time I think about k.d. lang I actually picture the music of Melissa Etheridge, which I assume is my brain just accidentally merging two late 80s / early 90s women who made me ask some questions about myself. At any rate, this isn't super for me (surprisingly) but it's impossible to deny the vocal quality here.

KD's voice is outstanding, and I love that Loretta and others are on the album. It almost feels like you can hear these tracks on a David Lynch movie from that time. The dated too-clean 80s production, however, takes away from the overall presentation.

Interesante

Great production, mellow standards feel with orchestration. George Michael kissing a fool vibes

Enjoyed it a lot

ganske banger, fakker med black coffee

Just ok

8/10. Amazing voice. Good mix of music. Loved the country western vibe songs. Some of the “jazzy” ones with the sax were also good. But there were some boring ones in the mix as well.

Not really for me, but it's a nice short listen and would make for great background music

First time listening to K.D. Great voice, fine album of country swing songs

Låter nästan som en julplatta. Inte så tokigt ändå.

Country is still not my thing, but k.d. langs voice is gorgeous.

3/5

80s country wall of sound?

Might actually be the most boring album on here… k.d. Lang isn’t really that great of a singer and her band sound like they are on autopilot. It’s not offensively bad - it’s just boring.

Fun and easy and oh so inviting.

It’s been really hot and ridiculously humid here in the northeast the last few weeks, so it wasn’t really surprising that when I put this on during my drive home, I started feeling sleepy. Humidity is a fucking burden, constantly weighing you down. So, I listened to about half and then put on something to get the blood pumping: “Too Hot Too Sleep” by Daniel Romano’s Outfit. Best decision I made all day.

This kind of music is hit or miss for me, and I have to be in a specific mood to voluntarily put it on. But the vocals are absolutely insane. Ethereal and dreamy.

Kd lang singing country and Western songs is not something I need. She's a great singer, but doing a weak Patsy Cline

Ugh, country. Not my cup of tea.

Ganz ok aber Zuviel Country. ***

Ihan ok taustamusiikkia. Siinäpä se.

I don’t k ow any merging about KD Lang, but I love this album!

I didn’t expect a country album but I wasn’t mad at it.

Ah now. How on earth did this qualify for the list

The kind of album you put on at a dinner party when you want to focus on conversation. You'd hardly even notice it at all!

This was subpar kdl by my measure.

Country and I…rarely agree. Johnny Cash and some Willie Nelson are just about the only two things we do agree on. I’d never heard of K.D. Lang, I think. I did some reading to understand exactly who she is and why she’s important. I thought it was a happy coincidence that I got a queer artist on San Francisco Pride Day. Nice touch, RNG. This was surprising in a few ways. For one, I expected it to be more…country. Like heavier on twang and with less reverb, more of a raw sound. Instead we had this airy sound, with vocals that are often sung a little more straight and arrangements that almost sounded like pop vocal jazz. I also didn’t expect it to be so corny. My god there are some corny songs and lyrics here. I get that that’s part of the country vibe, especially when you do songs in this particular style. But man I just couldn’t get past some of them. I listened to them, but I didn’t necessarily enjoy them. Overall this was a surprise, in a good way. I liked the arrangements for some of the songs, and I think this tried to be more than the constraints of its genre, which is always appreciated. Did I love it? No. But I liked it, enough so to give it three stars. I honestly thought it was gonna be two stars but she brought it around in the middle. Standout Tracks: Sugar Moon, Black Coffee, Don’t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes, Busy Being Blue

A few years a go, I was working at a Juno Award after party, and I got to meet K. D. Lang. She's very polite and kind. I didn't know much of her music, nor was I, a fan of her music. I'm glad she never brought any of that up, or I would have just been awkward and embarrassed. K. D. Lang's appearance does not fit her voice! I just noticed that Pierre Poilievre looks like K. D. Lang. I wasnt expecting her to have this bluesy/southern style. This record sounds like a traditional story telling country song. It's very melancholic. But sang beautifully. Her band plays really well too. The song style gets old fast though. A bit too much of the same thing and similar themes throughout. This record has the vibe of a singer singing in a small town honkey tonk/dive bar. Cliche southern country. Music is sort of reminiscent of Anne Murray. Music my parents and grandparents would probably enjoy. Dated for me. I've only really heard her rendition of Hallelujah. Which isn't my favorite version but it's still good. Getting to hear her own record was kind of nice. Now I can officially put her face to her voice.

Favorite Tracks: (Waltz Me) Once Again Around the Dance Floor Western Stars

Good vocals but not for me

Gorgeous voice but got a little fatigued by the end. Maybe worth another go around.

Great vocals and songwriting and I appreciated that there was almost a jazzy vibe to this at certain points. Good background music

Very cool standards album. Great voice and an easy listen

hotel lobby jazzy bluesy lounge country. Really good voice. Not sure how country fans were surprised she was gay when that's the first thing I thought of when I saw the album cover. feels like the first country/western album we are getting

Really interesting cowboy-esque. Woman old Willie Nelson? 8/10

Enjoyable even though I'm not into country

A strange choice to be on the list, not her best work. 2.5

Not gay upon first glance but very gay. I want to put this on for my lil gay shawty, but we don't know there's vibes until Waltz Me plays and we jokingly dance, but there's a moment, and then we push away, but the rest of the album plays and we just can't resist.

Good voice, but this style of maximalist jazzy/loungey country doesn’t do it for me. Plus, as far as I can tell, it once again appears to be an album full of cover versions, so it can hardly have been a pioneering release.

good vibes throughout - high 3 since i don’t really have any urge to relisten to any of it

Classic/contemporary new/old country/western. Not really sure how to rate this. Push of a button, I guess. It's OK for what it is. She's got a silky smooth voice.

A smoky sultry slow country vibe with the occasional no-fear tempo increase with a honkytonk flair. She has a great voice and everything is very approachable, but I don’t find any of the tracks really have a hook for me and it gets a little boring by the end. Fine.

kind of country-pop that bored me in nineties

Apparently I need to hear smug, commercial, over-produced middle of the road country shopping mall music before I die. What the hell is she looking so pleased with on the cover? Who the fuck is Owen Bradley? Sorry, didn't make it to the end of the first song. This list is reminding me that I dislike and dismiss a lot of stuff with good reason. Shat-o-land more like.

The sort of album you think is there anyone out there who actually super into this? Not bad but very tepid stuff 2.5*

I dreaded the album when I saw the cover and the year… I thought it was gonna be another new wave shitty album, boy was I wrong lol. Y totally enjoyed this although she drops the ball from that dumb cigarette song and on. Anyway, good music for most of the record (not the cheesy sax tho) and excellent voice.

Not my cup of tea