I See A Darkness
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
1999
Album Summary
I See a Darkness is the sixth album by American musician Will Oldham, released on Palace Records on January 19, 1999 as the first album under the name Bonnie "Prince" Billy. The album features appearances from Bob Arellano, Colin Gagon, Paul Oldham, David Pajo, and Peter Townsend.
Wikipedia“I See a Darkness” by Bonnie “Prince” Billy (1999) Sometimes, legitimate poetic expressions seem to sit high on a throne of non-referential, non-allusive obscurity, holding a scepter of grammar-be-damned nonsense and crowned with a greater than ordinary vocabulary. But that doesn’t make them good as lyrics. A lyricist has one shot at grabbing the listener by the passions, and on this album, Bonnie “Prince” Billy has missed wildly. He sings as though he would have preferred to not come into the studio that day. No he doesn’t. He doesn’t sing at all. He mumbles over some tonal doodles, undecided as to whether he’d prefer to vibrate or croak out the end of each phrase. To call the arrangements ‘spare’ would be overly generous. Off-pitch backing vocals are completely (and intentionally) out of sync with the lead, as if that’s some sort of stylish adornment. There’s way too much left-hand piano and electric bass pounding out a melancholy dirge. After listening to the album “I See a Darkness”, I don’t see a darkness. I hear a silence. Sorry to have wasted your time, dear reader. 1/5
Oh man, where do I start. First, I thought the first track was ok and I might enjoy the album. But then the 2nd one...woof. it sounded like 2 people singing different songs at the same time. It sounded like an elementary school lunch room when the kids were getting too rowdy. I kept begging for that 1 teacher who could stick their fingers in their mouth and make that ear piercing whistle to create SILENCE! Then the rest of the album was just shit. If I wanted to hear a shitty story by a boring guy with his guitar I'd join a commune. Literally fuck this album.
If there's one thing you can say about Will, it's he looks like how his music sounds.
Dreadful and honest. There's an effect where instrumentals like the electric guitar solo in "Another Day Full of Dread" are dulled down, as if given the spotlight yet unable to express itself to the fullest. It knows when to be simple and when to be chaotic. Vocalist is soothing and dynamic, sometimes reminding me of Eddie Vedder but mostly John Darnielle. Favorites: I See a Darkness, Death to Everyone, Madeleine-Mary
I wonder how Bonny Prince Billy would feel about his album being played with interludes of adds from the likes of State Farm, Eggland’s Best and VRBO? Will Oldham has always seemed like the most pretentious dude in the world. He’s so precious about being “real” and having “integrity.” He seems like the type who would ignore you at a party and make sarcastic jokes at your expense. Bonny Prince Billy always reminds me of a train ride I took with Zoe where she had us both listen to the album in perfect unison and was weird about getting it exact, then having sex, it was a sexy idea, but her controlling exactitude, me not fucking in rhythm, the music getting off unison, the conductor knocking at the door, made what should’ve been amazing a hellish experience. I was really feeling the first half of album, raw, singer songwriter Appalachian rock. It’s fragile and wandering. Sounds like the songs of a tragic loner in the olden times. As the album went on it wasn’t as good, some bad forced rhyme and cadence, some sloppy instrumentation. I want yo love Nonmie Prince Billy and there are moments when I do, but for the most part his albums are just out of reach, I’m just not cool enough to really embrace it, kind of like when I was trying to listen to it and have sex on a train.
Ooof. This one's a heavy load. Feels like it deserves another spin and a more dedicated listen to look beneath the hood. Just the voice and arrangements alone were affecting. I think I'm in. Hady had to put headphones on to block out Bonnie while cooking empanadas. It seemed like Elliot Smith with less catchy melodies and a more mature perspective. Bookmarking this to return to in deep dark December, then play NIN. For now a placeholder B+
An intriguing whisp of an album - didn't cohere fully on first listen, but this may have been a function of the organic, ethereal feel each track has, as if they're arising out of nothingness
This experience felt like going to a restaurant where you are given some bread and butter for a starter. It's a simple but calm starter that serves a nice warmup for the flavoursome entrees, main and dessert. What if I told you that after the starter you were only served more bread, but it was more stale and bland as the evening went on, making you hate having hope before this ordeal all started. That's how I felt listening to this album. Just glad this isn't on Spotify.
I SEE A DARKNESS is the first album I've listened to from Bonnie 'Prince' Billy. It's a pretty downbeat affair, and when I first started listening I worried that it might become tedious. This album was anything but that... "A Minor Place" seemed like a pretty down song on the first listen. Then after hearing the album I realized it was one of the more upbeat tracks, relatively speaking. "Nomadic Revelry (All Around)" is basically a love song, albeit a rather somber one. It would seem death is never far regardless of the nature of the song. I absolutely loved "I See A Darkness". Lyrics about the existential struggle of living that runs as an undercurrent to our friendships - those friends that we seek as a refuge from the darkness. Really moving song that gave me chills. My favorite song on the album. Incredible. The introspection continues with "Another Day Full of Dread" that lives up to the title. It is followed by "Death To Everyone" that contrary to what one might assume is not an angry threat but another existential exploration of death. The fun of living is a real positive part of the lyrics. You'd never know it if you weren't listening carefully. The remainder of the album continues in this vein, with what might be a downbeat sea shanty ("Madeleine-Mary"?), a redemption song (or prayer? - "Today I Was An Evil One"), and more somber, existential explorations. The album closes with "Raining in Darling", a dirge-like - dare I say - love song? A really beautiful dirge of a love song. This is a really bleak album that I would not suggest as the soundtrack to your next party. Many of the songs do have climaxes where the energy increases, but not by doing much with the tempo - instead by the swelling arrangements. Still that shouldn't put anyone off - Bonnie 'Prince' Billy is a master of making somber songs about somber subjects very listenable and absolutely beautiful. This is a really impressive album that I will be listening to again.
Whoa. This is dark. I am worried about Bonnie "Prince" Billy. His pain is palpable. I felt heart-sick the entire duration of my first listen. I think I'm on my fourth time through now. It is still dark but it gets prettier and prettier the more I listen. There's not a song I dislike on the album. I find the songs I See a Darkness and Today I Was an Evil One especially resonant, at least today. The record ends on a positive note (I think?) with Raining in Darling. "Oh, it don't rain anymore I go outdoors Where it's fun to be And I know you love me I know you do" love love love
Oh, this one seized me. It didn't leave me when I was done listening. Yikes. I became a bit obsessed with it, which I didn't even see coming while I listened to it for the first and second time. The songs are beautiful, I think. I don't always understand the lyrics, but when I do, they stab. (And I HATE phony, whiny, "depressive" lyrics. These feel so real.) Someone needs to take "I See a Darkness" away from me, because I keep going back to it. And the Johnny Cash version with backing vocal by BPB. "Death to Everyone" is another one. There isn't a song on here that doesn't make me feel something. I need a Captain & Tennille intervention.
Mooi ingetogen depri eerlijk donker simpel open , 1ste echte ontdekking
Had never heard of this guy before. It was a nice surprise… Very dark and depressing lyrics. Loved it. … However, I did not like having to listen to this via YouTube because it is not on Spotify. The random loud-ass insurance ads between each song really sucked.
Thank you! One of my favorite albums of all time, five stars hands-down. This album has been there for me during every tough part of my life for the last 22 years.
Classic album, absolutely love BPB. Great album to revisit this morning.
Really dug it. Got wilco and shins vibes in parts. But loved the folk vibe
Vraiment aimé mon écoute, je pense me le procurer. Émotion bien sentie, musique poignante, mais sans flafla
This album is a compelling mixture of country, folk, and experimental. Bonnie Prince Billy’s warbly voice calls to mind the ‘high lonesome sound’ of Appalachian music within a indie framework. The compelling lyrics and minimalistic music draw the listener in to something that feels strikingly intimate.
Only one listen, but one listen was plenty. I tried noting down highlights but gave up around 'Death To Everyone' - every single track on this magnificent record is an absolute highlight! The desperate, heartfelt, post-punk delivered by Oldham is simply amazing. The entire thing feels fragile but with a solid foundation in melodies, lyrics and perfect choices of the very sparse instrumentation.
Un véritable chef-d'oeuvre qui m'a fait pleurer à la première écoute. Je n'en ai pas dormi de la nuit! De la sensibilité à l'état pur.
I wish this was on spotify, because I want to listen to it on repeat. Guess I will settle for the artist's other stuff.
The first time I listened to this I very much wasn't in the mood, so it fell flat. I gave it another chance the next day and appreciated it a lot more. You need to be in the right mindset to connect with morbid depressive off-kilter discordant folk, I guess. Also, I can't help thinking of Jeffrey Lewis' "Williamsburg Will Oldham Horror" 😂 Fave track - "Death to Everyone", or possibly "Madeleine-Mary"
The tones of the opening track remind me of the indie folk movement that has really taken off in the past decade or so like Tom Petty's solo stuff, The Lumineers, Lord Huron, and Head and the Heart. The album hits a samey-samely level around track 8/9, but this is a nice mellow listen and a good background listen.
I started the day with two listens and all that I took away from the experience was a feeling of dread. I was not overly fond. So, I decided to give it one more listen on my walk in the evening. Maybe it was the fresh air, the beautiful sunset, or the fact that it had grown on me, but I really started to appreciate the simple melodies and melancholy mood that the album elicited. I listened twice on my walk…and halfway through the second listen, I thought “maybe I love this album”. But no, I am not sure that I even like it…I am some what intrigued by it though and suspect that I will crave it again in the future.
Sparse and raw, it is moody and contains both intense and quiet moments. Though it drifts a little more on the back half, the album is interesting and enjoyable.
Really good folk - gotta be if Johnny Cash will cover ya late career. Started very strong, finished less so. Squeaks into a 4.
Shows how enjoyable a folk album can be even if it's just simple instrumentation and one vocalist
I used to be way into anything Will Oldham/Palace/Bonnie Prince Billy put out after being completely floored one night by The Palace Brothers "Days In The Wake." Nothing else quite ever came close to that initial, nearly transcendent experience for me, but "I See A Darkness" is certainly a good representation of his general style, and undoubtedly considered among his best work. Will Oldham has this sort of laid back form of vulnerability that I can see could make some people uncomfortable. The kind of thing you either love or hate. And honestly, I can see how he can come across as boring too. But listen closely to those lyrics and you will come to know that he is a very unique songwriter who is able to capture these states of mind that are seldom put into words, let alone to music. His language can be incredibly poetic, even cryptic, but also, at times, disarmingly frank and direct. Both philosophical and mundane. I deeply appreciate that he tempers the one with the other. His voice seems to embody vulnerability to me. A brave and admirable vulnerability though. It has a sort of confidence in it somehow by paradoxically embracing its flaws and weaknesses. And I think that is underscored in the looseness of the playing. I could see how his songs could sort of collapse under their own weight if they were over produced. But the way they are recorded I get the sense he doesn't want to labor over things, to overthink it, or else he might stifle the spirit of what he's trying to do. It sounds as if he was simply recording things as they came to him. Like he was capturing a moment, or a mood, that was bigger than the songs themselves.
This was a really good album, definitely worthy of the praise it receives.
Sometimes you need a nice emo boy singing you songs about your inevitable death. Not exactly Monday morning listening material but idk today it hit the spot.
très bien, dark, dans la lignée spirituelle du post rock, proche de slint
Actually quite pretty at times, just wasn't very exciting either. 7/10
7/10. Really good, stay tuned for my Minecraft parody of the first song "A Miner Place"
Herkkä ja kaunis levy, iski kyllä. 4/5, voi tulevilla kuunteluilla nousta täyteen femmaan.
Tähän sopi youtuben mainokset hyvin eiku. Voimakas ja kaunis levy. Tykkään laulutyylistä kovasti.
Kaunista ja synkkää. Hyvää folkkia todentotta vaikken kyseisen genren suurkuluttaja olekaan! 4/5
One of those albums that deserve to be heard in one sitting. Oldham’s songwriting is haunting and longing and I See A Darkness only makes use of sparse instrumentation. I feel moved with almost every word uttered by Oldham and while the first listen made me consider a 3 / 5, the second listen won me over.
Title track is beautifully perfect emotional resonance. Melancholy and worth repeated listens
You have to be on a little bit of a sad streak for this album to hit right. Luckily for me, I picked this one up in the late afternoon on the second shortest day of the year, after my girlfriend had just left to go home. So, as the late afternoon crept into a very dark Vermont evening, I put this album on, and it was perfect. A world unto its own.
Great record. I listened to Bonnie Prince Billy and his associated early projects all day yesterday. This is a special record that seems to hold great mysteries and power.
If you give his voice some time, it’s more heartbreaking than just grating, like in the beginning. Definitely a mood
I am hesitant to ever deem myself an "expert" on any given topic, the genre of Indie Folk is one where I feel somewhat comfortable making that claim on. While William Oldham's works and this album are formative to the genre, he just isn't one that hit the mainstream music scene with the same impact as Elliott Smith's works, or later Bon Iver, Sufjan Stevens, and Fleet Foxes' works did. Its honestly disappointing because I do really enjoy this album. I can certainly hear things that Phoebe Bridgers and Julien Baker picked up more from him than Smith or Stevens. I had a very surface level knowledge of Oldham and I look forward to diving deeper. As somebody who is in love with this genre and did enjoy this album I will be giving it a 4 and giving it a few more listens. If I am looking at it from a more objective position I don't necessarily think it deserves a place on the list, but does deserve at least a 3 global rating.
A haunting album. It's late nights alone when you're with your thoughts for a little too long. Bonnie "Prince" Billy's tortured voice is perfectly accompanied by the sombre guitars and pianos. I think i want to revisit this again sometime.
A bleak indie folk album isn't going to win any points for originality, but at least the execution was nice (most of the time). Best track: I See A Darkness
The music sounded quite good, but I really can't imagine this as being anything other than pleasant and unobtrusive background music. 3.5 rounded down for lack of any standout tracks.
Disc de folk gòtic, crepuscular, depressiu, gairebé suïcida on l'ambientació, la veu trencadissa d'Oldham i sobretot les lletres prenen protagonisme per sobre les lletres. Per moments molt concrets, però en ells, el disc excel.leix
I'm not sure if I've ever heard of BPB before. All of the music was new for me. "A Minor Place" was my favorite track, and a good start to the album. The album was consistent and all of the tracks fit the same general mood. I liked the album, but towards the end it was harder to pay attention to each track. This was a good album.
Alright. So. Having delved into artists like Devendra Banhart (thanks to this project!!), this kind of folk didn't surprise me too much. It oscillated between "what's happening" and "ah, yes" for me. It's getting a 3, but I want to give it another listen when I'm in a different headspace.
Välistä tosi makee soundi ja sitten seuraavan hetkenä hiipu kasaan. Ei kuitenkaan ihan paska vaikka tuskin tulee löytymään omalta soittolistalta tulevaisuudessa.
Thought this album was surprisingly decent. The tone and style was pretty mellow but the songs felt like there was more depth to it. Didn’t really dislike any song but didn’t find any standing out either. It was a good new album. 6.4/10
Very sad mood, good strings good voice, overall better than expected 3/5
Bylo mainstreamowo, to teraz podziemny album od pana pod pseudonimem Bonnie "Prince" Billy, ktory z tego co widze jest plodnym tworca muzyki indyjsko folkowej, ale to juz jest taka nisza, ze operowanie gatunkami nie ma tutaj najmniejszego sensu, I See A Darkness jest jego pierwszym pod tym pseudonimem, drugim studyjnym, a szostym w dyskografii krazkiem, najlepszym okresleniem na kontent plyty bedzie bez zycia, instrumentalnie przewaza granie akustykiem, bongosem czy delikantymi klawiszami, moze dwa traki sa oparte na czyms bardziej elektrycznym, ale to nie samo instrumentalne brzmienie swiadczy o niezyciu tego nagrania, a jego pustka liryczna, ktora z pewnoscia byla celowym zabiegiem majacym otoczyc sluchacza aura apatii, ktora wyciekla z glowy pana Bonniego, ktory widac, ze szanuje swoja prace lirczna, bo nawet wydal booka bedacego guidem do jego tworczosci, stamtad wiekszosc adnotacji geniusowych pochodzi, pierwszy raz cos takiego widze, a plyta jest tak undergroundowa, ze nie ma co jej szukac na spotifaju, ciekawa plyta, ale trzeba byc w specyficznym nastroju zeby dac sie jej porwac, moze byc do rany przylol, gdy czlowiek bedzie potrzebowal czegos co upewni go w otaczajacej go nicosci codziennej wszechrzeczy, najbardziej hajlajtowymi momentami byl dla mnie tytulowy utwor i today i was an evil one, ktory dobrze oddaje podejscie czlowieka do kwestii bycia zlodupcem, jesli przeciez i tak wszystko jutro bedzie mial wyzerowane, ale jak na 37 minut materialu na 11 trakach, to nie czuc zadnych przeciaganych momentow, kontent liryczny jest na tyle gesty zeby przykuc uwage sluchacza, a instrumenty stanowia dla niego jedynie tlo
The lyrics are poetic with a delivery that is genuinely catches me off balance. I have heard this album is a slow burn so I will see. Death To Everyone is good and creepy. Black is good. I get the lyrics, but it didn't really convince me of anything. Maybe worth a relisten?
There's something to like here, however I think it's mostly just surface level. I just listened to this album 2 hours ago and I already forgot pretty much everything about it. Not to say this isn't a good record, it just didn't stick with me in a meaningful way.
It was nice. Like Neil Young in a fit of depression nice. It had a gloomy atmosphere and was very well put together. Nothing transcendent (and annoyingly full of ads because it wasn't on Spotify, which didn't help with the flow of the album) but a nice album. It would probably grow on me with a few more listens, but not a luxury I had - maybe I'll get back to it one day.
He has a unique voice and the overdubbing is interesting. I would call it Americana style. Interesting but I wouldn't have it on heavy rotation.
first listen definitely a variety of sounds, but is so short and not much stood out to me
Interesting it's not available on Spotify in the US, so I went to YouTube. Definitely a very vulnerable album and I did the aesthetic but nothing stuck out to me to make me wanna listen to it again, unfortunately.
There's a kind of naked wallowing to this that I don't relate to. Maybe I'm just not that emotionally evolved.