Reviews (page 2 of 6)
I debated between 4 and 5. The title track is so sad and beautiful and haunting
It’s crazy to me that more people have given this a 1 than a 5. This album is a straight-up classic.
Back-to-back 1999 albums, and this one was much more enjoyable. I feel like the name is vaguely familiar, though couldn’t say for certain if I’d listened to him before. Immediately reminded me of artists like Okkervil River or Damien Jurado, maybe early Iron & Wine or Phosphorescent. Really chill indie folk that’s exactly in my wheelhouse. Easy 4/5 upon first listen, and I listened to it a second time to decide if there was enough to inch it up to a 5/5. Is it revolutionary? I don’t think so? But who’s to say how much he influenced those other artists I like. So my gut says that if I enjoyed it twice in a row, and would gladly listen to it a third time, it’s gotta be a 5/5.
Good folk
This album left me kind of torn. While I did thoroughly enjoy it, its lack of availability on Spotify had several diminishing effects. 1) there was no way to experience album flow with 30 seconds of ads between every song 2) given that I listen to music on Spotify, there is no way for it to actually become part of my daily listening, the key criteria that separates 4s from 5s in my system. However, these things are not the albums fault.
Smukt album.
Stone cold classic. Lyrics that cut through the faf. Strong songwriting delivered with great fragility.
Man, this album hits. Hard to put words to it, but I'll try. It's so honest. It's performed eloquently and mixed beautifully, if sparse. I'm not even in a down mood, but this album certainly takes over you emotionally, and that takes talent. Very, very few albums accomplish that for me. It's diverse enough in its arrangements to keep it interesting while also remaining consistent in the tones and execution to keep it obviously one project. It's darn good. I wish it was available on Spotify, I would save a good few of these songs. 4.7/5
Deeply emotionally invested in this one. Kills me every time. Probably the peak Will Oldham record.
Something about this really hooked me, just got it at the perfect mood and time of day. Wish this was on Spotify for accessibility because I would certainly revisit. Feel like I would generally go a bit lower rating for this, but today 4.5/5
This was completely new to me, and I was intrigued by the high polarisation of the reviews. They seem to be mainly either 5 stars or 1 so I was prepared to either loathe or love Bonnie Prince Billy. I loved it. Yes the songs have sad themes but the lyrics are complex and beautiful. Glorious, top-quality modern folk music.
god why can’t you be on spotify
With song titles like 'Death To Everyone' and 'Another Day Full Of Dread', this is a sad album. I wouldn't chastise anyone for being turned off by how bleak it is. There's nothing performative about the sadness here. Oldham's vocals are so fragile and haunting. The instrumentation is kept fairly simple. I feel like this would comfort me when I'm feeling low. Thankfully I don't feel like that today, but I will keep this album in hand for when things get tough. If you enjoy wallowing in the hopelessness that you find in the music of Mount Eerie or Sparklehorse, this would be right up your street.
top 3 - Death To Everyone, Black, A Minor Place. Really beautiful. Makes me a little sad listening to it.
While I have always been more of a fan of Oldham's with the Palace Music project, this album spoke to me just as much as something like Days In The Wake or Viva Last Blues when I first heard it many years ago; it just didn't have the staying power or the obsessive replay factor that those two records had for me. To revisit it for this challenge was a beautiful, brilliant experience. Hearing this as an adult, for the first time in literal years, gives it some new depth. Will Oldham remains one of my favorite songwriters of his generation.
One of his best
I enjoyed this
First time listener , I liked it quite a bit I was getting some songs : ohia vibes for most of the album definitely adding to my collection.
Absolutely amazing and entering my must buys for albums. His music spoke to me, resonates and eased me.
I really, really liked this album. Must explore this artist further.
Today is the shortest day of the year. The sun is barely arsed to shine today. This is the perfect soundtrack.
This is just the kind of artist I hoped to find on this quest! Just loved it.
This may actually be a new all time favorite artist for me. This just zings for me, and to think I had never heard of this guy. This is why I do this!
Not on Spotify. Did not listen.
Sun Kil Moon meets Jason Molina (Songs:Ohia) Gorgeous. And had me grabbed on the second song on the first listen. This is my type of pretentious sad man music. My blues.
Better than I expected, usually at this point my 5s are just really obvious albums
A great record but you do have to be in the mood, as one guy from darkest Vermont said. I see a darkness is beautiful
One of the bleakest, darkest and yet comforting indie albums of all time. Genius record!
This is a beautiful album. I will always love albums that sound this DIY one person hanging out making art. Very Neil young/tom waits/singer songwriter but also I can fully see a band like Foxing put this out. It’s so good. One of my favorite albums ever is As if by ghosts by Dreamend and I haven’t really ever found another album that makes me feel the same way. This really hit the same notes for me, I adore it it’s a masterpiece.
It's been a long time since I listened to this and it's better than I remember. I liked it before, but I was more into Viva Last Blues and kinda left this one behind. It shouldn't be a surprise to me that it's actually great. Also, I need to stop reading other peoples reviews on here. It's infuriating to see what the people who trash this album love instead. It's as good as Madvillainy.
Had to listen 3 or 4 times cause I KNEW there was something here and im better for it. Picked up a used CD as soon as I could. This is not for the people who crave tight structure and slick production. This is for fans of true indie-folk-slowcore-lofi-altcounty. Its sad most times with rays of light shining thru mistimed, out of tune backing vocals. This has heart and soul above musical prowess
This album is so beautiful. Always has been always will be
Brilliantly Solemn and Dark!
A clifton local! But also love this record.
4.5
Just the best
beautifully bleak
Some lovely dark vibes; a true standout!
Skupa s ranim place brothers/music albumima vrhunac oldhamove poetike
surprise sleeper hit. if only this was on spotify...
A real surprise, I absolutely loved this album
London May! Kennt man Willow, Pine and Oak-heartbraking Einfach sooo schön!!!! Saaad
Listens: 3 Standout tracks: Death To Everyone, Another Day Full of Dread, Black Added To Library: TRUE There's something about this album that reminds me of John Frusciante, specifically his solo work. It's not the guitar shredding or the music per se; it's something to do with the singing, the emotion, and the whole "doing it on your own" thing that they seem to share. The subject matter is bleak and dark and brooding. The music is minimalist for the most part; I thought my headphones were busted and I had to turn up the volume more than normal to actually tease apart the different components of the music. Anyways, I really enjoyed this album. It was arranged well, and once I got the volume up to where it needed to be, I was engrossed with the music.
Songs to torn apart by an Appalachian cryptid to. God this was melancholic. Great stuff.
Beautiful and really heartfelt album. I discovered this one last year and been a fan of it ever since. These songs have such an emotional heft to them and they're all beautifully written and arranged. Time just flies by when listening to this one, every song here is a joy to listen to.
this is awesome. can't believe it's not on spotify
Will Oldham nailed it. Beautiful and haunting songs full of of feeling.
Now here is an album I am well acquainted with therefore whom. I listened to this album a lot back in the day. And I’ve been fortunate to see them in concert once. It’s been a while since I listened to this album. It is still really good. I forgot about a couple songs that are still so freakin’ good.
Sometimes a great artist makes a perfect record. One that lifts the others up along with it. A definitive statement, a full on masterwork. Objectively, so that you conveniently can’t argue with me. So there.
I don't know how I missed this album in 1999. It should have been right in my sweet spot. So glad to First hear it in 2025. Songs like I see a darkness, and death to everyone are true highlights, but the whole album is great straight through. Definitely a true musician's musician in the class of Tom waits, Leonard Cohen and the other great storytellers.
Decent
sopresón, del goth al folk, de post al americana. todo
Feels like a treasure I found just for me.
This album saved my life.
blew my head off. Absolutely loved this, and had never heard it before. Big 5 fat ones
I gotta say: youtube with ads, really damages the music listening experience. Initially was worried this would be too soft-key for my vibes, but the instrumentation builds really nicely across the album. Minor place builds really nice. By the end of the track we're ready to roll. And we do! Title track kills it. Lots of other good stuff. Grim & pensive for the win. 4.5 rounding up Note: To anyone who endorsed Johnny Cash covering lots of songs. His "I See a Darkness" is absolutely worth looking up. American IV was in this program, but III, V, and VI are all great (people like Unchained, which is II, and American Recordings, which is I, as well).
This album does not have frills, but you don't need frills to leave a mark like "I See A Darkness" does.
I tend to really love intimate albums like this. It's not the first time I heard "Love me like I love you" or lyrics to the same effect, but the intimacy in musical construction makes a lot of his work in this album seem profoundly honest in a way I'd not felt before.
One of myall time favourites. Will Oldham is a genius
I really enjoyed this. It's a real shame this isn't on spotify because I'd definitely listen a few more times. It was dark. Reminded me of Leonard Cohen in places. Good stuff.
Nice dark indie
Wow, this is excellent. This is exactly the sort of somber, moody stuff that I often find myself inexplicably craving. I’d heard of Bonnie “Prince” Billy from his association with Joanna Newsom, but this was the first time I’d listened to his music. Favorites: I See A Darkness, Another Day Full of Dread, Madeleine-Mary, Black 4.5 rounded up
Soooooo goooood!
Wow
i love his voice so much…wow! such strong songwriting. this whole thing is a delight to listen to. i wish it was easier to find but i respect it! one of my favorite finds so far. i’m definitely going to explore his discography.
Like how I wish the BETWEEN THE BARS album from Elliott Smith sounded. A great album, probably 5 stars. I'm not always in the mood for sad, moody music, but when I am this hits that spot. Even the lack of Spotify didn't make me too mad.
10/10 great album and amazing lyrics.
Will Oldham har en magisk stemme. Meget terapeutisk og noget nær perfekt album, de tre første sange er gode nok til at det ville have været 5 stjerner selv hvis alt efter det var elevatormusik.
Loved it. Quite the surprise.
I did not know what to expect from this, which I see now is an egregious oversight because I do get down with a lot of folk punk, finger-picking, dark themes, kind of music. The opening track was my favorite and I was sad when the album was over. Maybe truly a 4.5 but, rounding up
An absolutely beautiful and, at points, heart-breaking album. I prefer the Johnny Cash version of the title track - to the surprise of absolutely no-one who knows me! All of his (many) other albums and projects are now officially on my "after the list" list
Really enjoyable album. This type of melancholy was perfect for a Monday. It wasn't on Spotify so I didn't listen as much as I'd like. I'll revisit this one.
Precioso álbum. No lo conocía pero lo volveré a escuchar de nuevo.
This album, and artist, are a perennial favorite of mine. Will Oldham has such a prophetic nature and the voice to match. The music is slow and off kilter adding to gravitas. This one makes me feel deeply and I like that about it.
Beautiful and fragile album of Will Oldham. Great emotional songs with somewhat dark lyrics.
"Will Oldham" rings a faint bell, but I had never heard this before. Whathow?? "Nomadic Revery" might be the single most hauntingly beautiful song I've come across in my 163 albums so far. Incidentally, while the whole thing is playing, again, in its Youtube tab, a track from Bon Iver's debut is paused halfways and Jason Molina is on the screen, looking at me from the cover of "Let Me Go, Let Me Go, Let Me Go": I'm now like the dude in the conspiracy meme picture, but discovering a new piece in a frail, dusty and hushed lofi-folk music puzzle. Gorgeous album, that one - thank you, 1001AYMHBYD.
One of my late discoveries, wonder if it would have impacted me the same had I discovered it from this list. Gets a five for the gloriously horny, weird, chaotic nomadic revery breakdown. But all these songs while hipster folk of their time manage to transcend into american standards. His voice is thin and fragile, but somehow powerful and perfect. I've tried his other stuff, but nothings matched. My only quibble is death to everyone which on my naive read is just recycling my least favorite philosophical trope: that the fact that life ends is what gives it meaning. Fuck that noise, I've got plenty of meaning in life without it ending, and I've got a lot more than 1001 albums to listen to literally and metaphorically. All the city's on me. Nip nap, it's all a trap!
Voice hits all the right notes, also notably hitting great microtones throughout the album. A great display of soothing and technical vocals. Amazing album and great discovery.
Absolute gem, really enjoyed listening to this album although it wasn't available on spotify I managed to listen to it using yt :)
So great that I got to hear this album! The cover is deceiving as I wasn’t sure what to expect. The music and lyrics are very mellow and flow very easily.
I've heard of Mr. Billy before but I never listened to him. I was immediately drawn into this album and was along for the whole bleak ride. My instinct is to give this a 4, especially since it's a first time listening but since the community score is so low it gets a 5. It might "earn" that rating on future listens anyway.
Goddamn, I did not expect this album. I thought I was going to be getting something between Iron & Wine and Bon Iver, but this shit makes Bauhaus look cheerful.
I guess the voice is not for everyone, but if you don't mind it too much, you'll find the songs on this album are just great.
Such delicate songs so tenderly performed: an absolute masterpiece.
Me surpreendeu bem positivamente, pena que não tem no spotify
Noice
I knew Will Oldham from the movie "Old Joy" but honestly didn't know he was a singer/songwriter. I gave this one a listen and the title track just blew me away. Big thumbs up for this one!
If you don't like depressing af indie folk, this isn't for you. I'm in the latter camp.
I love this. This album occupies a pretty unique space in modern folk with a distinct sound that’s neither old nor modern. I put Oldham up there with Tom Waits in his ability to write songs that sound like covers of traditional songs.
This is brilliant. A true original sound. Or at least I can't detect influences.
This album is a vibe. That vibe is largely death based, and I like it. The sparse music, introspective lyrics, and slightly off-beat backing vocals make for a generally gloomy feeling, but somehow offer just enough hope of light, or love, at the end of the tunnel for the listener to empathise rather than to wish Prince Billy would just stop moaning. It also helps that the gloomy themes are largely universal human experiences (death, loss, heartbreak, broken friendship) rather than annoyance with a record company or a crappy upbringing, as has been is case on some other records. The first half of this album is perfect, a genuine masterpiece, with 'I Can See A Darkness' and 'A Minor Place' standing out in particular. The second half drops off a little, is a bit too gloomy, but still strong. I gather Johnny Cash and covered the title track. Unsurprisingly, that is also great. Rating: 4.5/5 Playlist track: I See A Darkness Date listened: 29/09/23
Whoa this is not what I expected from that album cover. It reminds me of Johnny Cash's later work, but with vaguely Thom Yorke-ish vocals. I have a strange obsession with extremely gloomy and depressing music, so this is right up my alley. Okay yeah, this is incredible. Instantly fell in love with it after my first listen. Easy 5/5.
Great album, I almost drove off a road in the snow while listening to this. The other four people in the car suggested maybe we should have no music on for a while. Why is it not on Spotify? Anyway, great stuff.
Contemporary folk and Americana owe a lot to Will Oldham. There’s a ton to like here. Stellar songwriting, beautiful composition and crushing and somewhat sexy lyrics juxtapose so well with Oldhams somber acoustic guitar driven style.
Had to find on youtube
Heel rustig, maar mooi
True depressive genius.
I’ve never heard of this guy but I really liked this. It was a little sedate listening to it at 6am while driving, though. I really liked “Madeleine-Mary.” I ended up listening to this a second time and enjoyed it even more. It sounds a little ahead of its time; it has more of a mid- to late-2000s indie singer songwriter sound.
91 / 1069 If you get it, you get it.
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.
lovely
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.
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.
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.
Vraiment aimé mon écoute, je pense me le procurer. Émotion bien sentie, musique poignante, mais sans flafla
Really dug it. Got wilco and shins vibes in parts. But loved the folk vibe
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.
Low key and somewhat lo-fi but layered nicely with vocal harmonies. Solemn and eerie, even if you couldn't speak English, you could tell there is some sort of sorrow or depression coming across from the artist.
Mooi ingetogen depri eerlijk donker simpel open , 1ste echte ontdekking
You had me at sad alt-country
Listened before?: no A Minor Place - 5/5 Nomadic Revery (All Around) - 4/5 I See a Darkness - 5/5 Another Day Full of Dread - 4/5 Death to Everyone - 4/5 Knockturne - 3/5 Madeleine-Mary - 4/5 Song for the New Breed - 3/5 Today I Was an Evil One - 3/5 Black - 4/5 Raining in Darling - 3/5 Average score: 3.8/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ this was a little hard to find for listening, as it must've been removed from spotify some time ago. i think you can find it on YouTube but was able to acquire a copy elsewhere i enjoyed this for the most part, though i will say the first half is strongest. this would probably be a 3.5 star album but i think i'll be generous today
what a great album just absolutely foul that its not on spotify reminds me of Nick Drake at times
A melancholic, quite dark, minimalist, and yet beautiful piece of folk. I think my biggest issue with it is that it felt a bit too impersonal to really connect to it, like while it is lyrically a dark record, it isn't an album where a listen is day-ruining. It means I can have it on while I work if I want something sad but not crushing though.
A pretty dark album, but it grew on me icl. Ironically enough best track was “Death to everyone”. Had to sit through at least 10 ads on yt for this since it wasn’t available on spotify. Would not do it again. Low 4
I knew the title track via Johnny Cash's American Recordings cover and like it a lot. Intrigued by the rest but my mind had trouble locking onto it. It's a persistent problem with these folky indie acts and me... see also Badly Drawn Boys, Bright Eyes, Elliot Smith.
(light 8/10) Dark and intriguing, with very subtle instrumentation that also manages to be a little chaotic in places, despite the overall quiet sound. BPB's vocal range is gravelly and tired-sounding, perfect for the desolate songs and interesting lyricism. It ends without much fanfare, but while you're listening you can't help but feel sucked in and paying attention to everything. A sleeper hit of an album for me, it's gonna have to go through repeated listening cycles for me to fully grasp it. As of now though, I'm a fan.
wow hace mucho no me gustaba tanto un album de alguien a quien no conozco, que paz y un sentimiento de estar manejando solo a la madrugada. No puede ser que no este en spotify, me quiero mor1r
“Mom! Can I get Damien Rice?” “We have Damien Rice at home”
I really appreciate Will’s music. It is unpretentious to a rare degree and the fragility, especially in his vocals betrays remarkable artistic bravery. It produces moments of transcendent beauty (I See a Darkness, Today I Was an Evil One). Like pretty much all musical artists, he benefits from the editing effect of collaboration. (Hear his various Palace recordings.) There are several tracks here that don’t quite hold up; some that need some more kneading. But the high points are just so damned good.
8/10
oh i like this already. <3 the vocals. soft, poetic. be how it is. underlying restlessness but also calm? interesting juxtaposition. there's like a tiredness but also a resoluteness. a wariness but telling the story anyway. gentle and tired. i think the title track is my favorite. bringing / giving the last spoons. letting it be how it is. love, despite it all.
I liked this quite a bit, alt country is just emo.
Very pleasantly surprised with this one, because I saw the genre descriptions and thought “oh no, this is not gonna be my vibe at all” and then lo and behold, it caught my ears like if Kurt Cobain was into country and folk instead of Pixies and alt-rock. Really great texture to voice and instrumentation, there’s a good drive and motion to songs which vary nicely beat to beat (Death to Everyone unsurprisingly my favourite with the distorted band sound), moody lyrics that I don’t hate and come across alright. I guess I’m becoming open to good singer-songwriter stuff and indie folk, they got to me.
I see a missing album from the streaming world.
First time listen. It's good. Not my go-to American music but good melodies and lyrics. Can't place the genre. Reminds me of The Deep Dark Woods. Standard is good. Relaxed listen. Would listen to again.
4:5
I had to listen on YouTube as it's unavailable on Spotify, but this album was very nice and cozy.
4*
Really great album. I discovered this independently a few months ago when I liked a new song B”P”B put out. It’s in the Leonard Cohen vein, dark and wry. Kinda like Bill Callahan, he’s a very distinct songwriter, where he’s not for everyone and even those he’s for, you have to kinda be in the mood for it. When it hits, it hits. I dig it. Not perfect but great and I think worth checking out. Must-listen #347.
It's downbeat, but the atmosphere is solid and it doesn't outstay its welcome. Would be a top album to listen to whilst feeling sorry for yourself.
I wasn't depressed enough to truly appreciate this today, but in the right circumstances I think it could flourish for me. It's quite uniform and unvaried in terms of pacing, though I get that's entirely the point, and none of what I heard was unenjoyable.
One note but I liked the note.
An album that sounds almost fragile, it requires attention to its minimalism. I get that people aren’t going to appreciate this because it’s not smacking them over the head with unnecessary noise. There are some beautiful layers of delicately structured music happening here to accompany Bonnie Billy’s often gloomy lyrics. I See a Darkness is the obvious standout, it’s just really nice, the backing vocals work quite well. I also really enjoyed the playfulness on Another Day of Dread, just found that interesting and there’s also a great although brief guitar solo on that track. Subtle beauty on this flexors. 4 stars
I would love to be able to sing, not in a Mariah Carey way but to carry a song in a way that I convey the emotion At the heart of the song. Now no one is suggesting that Will Oldham is Celine Dion, but by god his voice just left me with chills. Cracking, and breaking and sometimes not quite there key wise but just so personal. Laid against bare and ramshackle arrangements it just crackles with emotion.
Not available on Spotify but I found it on Youtube Music. I want to listen to this one again.
First time of this artist. Hate using Youtube to get at it. The ads are relentless. Semi frustrated before I start. Three songs in and I’m loving it. A lot of young Andy Hull vibes. I love thoughtful, dark and reflective/depressing themes fostered via Smiths, Cure, Depeche Mode, earlier REM in my youth. Second half of the album had me vacillating a little more - is this guy legit or cleverly disguising a lack of genuine talent? On second listen loved more of it. It can be so hard to find a gem on first listen. I’m going to throw a 4 if for no other reason than to remind me to come back. 4/5
Really good acoustic album, it’s a shame it’s not on streaming, I’d add more to my playlist. 4 stars
Engaging
this was pretty good but loses points (figuratively this is not a five star album either way) for making me listen on youtube with incessant adverts
4 for sure
This was a cool new discovery! Exactly why I signed up. It’s a shame this is not available on Spotify. I had to listen to it on YouTube and there were ads in between the tracks. Although maybe that interruption prevented me from thinking the suns were all too similar. At first the singing, with out of sync and some times out of tune harmonies was a bit off putting. But soon the mood of the album and the lyrics pulled me in. Very atmospheric, gloomy in a good way. I’m happy to know this one.
Another example of don’t judge an album by its cover. I wish it was on Spotify!
Приятная красивая музыка, но уж больно тихая и минималистичная. Для прослушивания вечером у камина
Грустный мужик поет грустные фолковые песни. Хорошечно
люблю такой вайб, не зря искал за пределами спотифая, 4ка. буду ли возвращаться? - вряд ли
4/5 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/bonnie-prince-billy/i-see-a-darkness/ Ooh this is gooood. 4/5 because I think this is an album that will benefit a lot from repeated listening.
Es un álbum que me hizo reflexionar, me gustó
Not a laugh riot! But pretty music nonetheless
Melancholic without being depressing.
Quite a fun listen, I enjoyed it about as much as blue, I did find myself getting a bit bored by the end but I though it was well produced great musicality and great songwriting
Yeah! Had flare
fun little folk album, doesn't overstay its welcome, generally not my thing but im not complaining about it either.
Again, I cannot stress enough how much I respect an artist coming off Spotify. I'd like to do it too. I keep getting very close to moving to Tidal. But it did slightly impinge on this absolutely beautiful album that every third song I have to hear an add for how AI can improve my marketing pipeline (my pipeline is my business thanks). Still, this was really lovely to listen to, very yearning, mellow and thoughtfully created.
I really like the folksy elements mixed in with these great distorted guitar tones.
the first time an album on this list has cultivated, for me, that most special of all effects: it has invited me to listen more deeply. it's coy, and strange, and quiet, in a way that draws me completely into it. i have the urge to untie it and pick it apart i've known the title track for years, and it's stunning - there's a plainspoken decisiveness to all its lyrics that i find heartbreaking and warming at once. the rest of the record operates in a stranger mood, one that's hard to pin down, often drawn towards death, evil, misanthropy, but really funny and horny about the whole thing. even the lighter tracks are cryptic - especially Knockturne, a gnarled, imagistic take on the love song, sung very quietly and with a lot of sweetness felt totally beguiled by this record, and very sure of the many charms it will take longer than 24 hours to reveal to me. wonderful stuff!
This is a really nice, thoughtful album. It's restrained, easy to listen to and doesn't overstay it's welcome. Very glad to have discovered it.
really peaceful listen for my saturday
Deeply somber album with great tracks. Might deserve a deeper look at the lyrics.
This album is unavailable on Spotify, soci finally bit the bullet and transferred my music library to YouTube Music, something I've been wanting to do for awhile now. Based solely on the vibes of this album, including the cover and titles, I was honestly expecting something a little bit darker. This is not to say that I See A Darkness isn't dark at all, of course; there are plenty of heavy themes and subject matter across this album, all sung over sparse and haunting instrumentals that drive home the feeling of existential dread. This is likely just a result of my own personal exposure to albums; when I hear that an album is a dark, I start expecting Mount Eerie or Leonard Cohen, and this album maintains a slightly more bright and open sound to it that keeps it from diving white to those depths emotionally. I think that helps keep it accessible though, and the dichotomy of how lively Billy can sound throughout the album compared to the topics he's discussing lends it a unique sense of disquiet. That balance is hard to strike while staying both emotionally resonant and catchy, so I give all my respect to Bonnie "Prince" Billy for crafting some incredible earworms about death and our own mortality. Highlights: A Minor Place, Nomadic Revelry (All Around), I See A Darkness, Knockturne, Madeleine-Mary, Today I Was An Evil One, Raining In Darling
Strange, sad folk.
Apparently Pitchfork described this as "the type of record that demands solitary reverence", and I'd agree - I definitely don't think it benefitted from listening to it on YouTube, where it was interrupted by jarringly cheerful adverts for Monzo. Even without the right conditions though, this was very atmospheric.
This is a hauntingly beautiful, tormented and fragile album. Incredible songs including 'I see a Darkness' as famously covered by Johnny Cash on the American man series of albums. I have a love-hate relationship with Spotify. While it's brilliant to listen to so much new music from the list, it can make it too easy to find things. However, this wasn't there and YouTube music interrupted with ads between most songs, which unfortunately took away from the atmosphere. I would love to sit down with a physical copy of the album sometime to appreciate it more fully. And this is the quality of album that is worth purchasing. 4 out of 5 stars.
I listened to this gothic, folky album several times. It is certainly different than most of the albums on this list, not necessarily a good thing, but ultimately, I was drawn into its somber, understated mood. I say drawn in because this is music that really makes you lean into the compositions. The lyrics are sometimes sad, but also beautiful. Good Americana music.
A very somber and pretty album. I am not much of a folk guy, but I do like this kind of sound. Reminds me of the Microphones. High 4.
Pretty interesting, folkish, nice album cover.
One of the most surprising new finds of the journey so far.
New discovery. Liked
7/10 Favorite: A Minor Place
How do rate an album like this. Some albums are such an unfiltered expression they (I originally wrote then deleted "seem to" because some things just are self evidently true) transcend any words or numbers. Not an album I have reached for too often - it asks a lot. The next album - Ease Down the Road - was a go to for years. Sometimes a title really does say it all. This is direct songwriting at it finest with stark but thoughtful, weird and wonderful arrangements. Singular.
Harmi että ei oo spotifyssä. Indie folkkia, vähän hämyistä ja melankolista sellaista. Ja hidastempoista, tosi rauhallista ja tunnelmallista. Parhaat: I See A Darkness, Song For The New Breed, Black
Huh. Not on Spotify, so had to dig it out on Youtube. Will say, knowing nothing of this album other than the cover, I have been curious about it as I do like the cover. But it was a crapshoot for what genre I was going to get. It was either gonna be some electronic music, indie folk, or some sort of noise rock. Welp, I got the indie folk, haha. And I quite like it. It's a little understated for my tastes (Although when it does pick up like in Madeleine-Mary with it's echoed guitar lines, it's great), but it's a nice listen. He's got a good voice, piano and guitars are nice. It's just a nice sounding album in general. Couple songs are verging slightly on Pink Floyd-isms like Song for the New Breed. Album's just got a very similar darkness that Pink Floyd's music has. Maybe some Neutral Milk Hotel vibes as well, such as on Black. So yeah. Really good indie folk. Wouldn't mind taking another listen sometime.
These albums seem to come in waves, long periods of albums that I wouldn't use to steady a wobbling table, followed by some absolute gems that I can either be familiar with or hearing for the first time. This album came to me after I heard Killing Joke / Killing Joke for the first time, and my pre-listening thoughts for both albums were identical - specifically, I had no positive expectations and had my finger hovering over the end/stop/close button as the albums began. They both turned out to be really good. Neither was 5 stars good, but both were solid 4 stars!
A lovely understated indie folk album. I always enjoyed this one as well as Bonnie "Prince" Billy's collaboration with Tortoise that came out around this time. Great music for a solitary mood.
Grower. At first I was like wtf is this. Then I kinda like d it.
Mellow, melancholy, and lovely - not on Spotify :(
I liked this more and more with each song. I've come to enjoy folksier stuff as Ive gotten older and this fits the bills. Folksy, melodic...just the right amount of weird.
Really enjoyed this, need to listen to it again when I have nothing else on and I can just focus on the music. It feels like an album that needs a lot of attention to truly appreciate.
This reminded me of something that I can't quite put my finger on. Maybe an even darker, simpler Nick Drake? Regardless, I really enjoyed it; very good sad-bastard record. 3.75/5
I really liked this album. It's not in a genre I spend a lot of time with but it has a charm that I can't deny. 3.75/5
When to listen: rainy or cold or moody or autumnal. Really enjoyed this album and discovering this artist
I really like this, a high 4.
The album builds in emotion and sadness with each song. Needs another listen but I enjoyed it.
Not bad at all. Not sure I'm super into it. A little low energy? I guess it'd depend on my mood. Decent enough. There is a haunting beauty to it. The music is nice and you can feel the emotion in the vocals.
I like sad music and this is that. Also, generally, beautifully written, save maybe a ~couple. This might be a 5 for me, but I need to listen a couple more times. 4.5 and rounding down for now.
Rough around the edges, but beautiful nonetheless. I’ll forever be a fan of this record for the title track alone but this is some quintessential Bonnie “Prince” Billy. My attention span is shot so I’ll need more time for it to burrow in more but for now it’s a minor masterpiece for a minor place.
Oh, it's the guy from the Jeffrey Lewis song! "And you might say now there's a guy who seems to have their world laid out before him Or you might say, he's just a rich kid or a fascist or a charlatan But either way you say it if you look at indie-rock culture you really can't ignore him And even if at first dismissive, after some listens you'll enjoy him" I hope Jeff makes this list.
Dark as fuck, but I did listen to a podcast where chef David Chang said this album kept him alive. Let's call that a win. Good record.
Not available on Spotify.
I enjoyed the mood it had!
I found this beautiful and sad.
This took a while to listen to as it's not on Spotify. It was worth seeking out, if rather downbeat.
I knew this album by reputation. I've been really into music that's adjacent to or influenced by it, that type of literary americana like Ryan Davis and David Berman. (And Waxahatchee, if that counts.) So the gravity I felt for it, not surprising. I love the subtle instrumentation. I love the quiver in his voice and how well it pairs with the lyrical themes about mortality and internalized lack. Like Emmylou Harris a few days ago, and maybe all the best folk, it's both intellectually and emotionally convincing. I know it'll require more focused listening to really appreciate, and I'm looking forward to it.
I do love me my slow and moody tunes
I knew nothing of this guy. I started the album and figured I'd endure the whole thing. Somehow along the way it drew me in, captured my attention and messed with my emotions. There's a delicious melancholy to the whole thing, and some tracks are just devastating. I love me some melancholy. This album is a success of this project, I'll be exploring more.
Schon krass, wie ähnlich heutige Indie-Platten hierzu klingen. Da haben sich viele hiervon inspirieren lassen. Mir gefällt nicht jeder Song, in die Texte müsste man bestimmt tiefer reingehen, aber einige Songs klangen schon unfassbar schön.
Geiles Teil.
Schönes melancholisches Album
8 / 10
Best Song: I See a Darkness This is what I want from doing this project. I didn't LOVE this but I really enjoyed it. I liked their voice and it was a mellow, melodic change of pace that I would never listen to if I weren't doing this. 4/5.
This was really great. Just down to earth and simple. I really enjoyed this, and would like to listen again soon.
I liked this way more than I thought I would. His earnest voice grows on you and the songs are really interesting, especially lyrically. Very good!
An enjoyable listen, even though it didn't exist on Spotify.
Favourite Tracks: A Minor Place, Another Day Full of Dread,
Equal parts hopeful and depressing as hell. I would expect nothing less from Will Oldham.
Weirdly compelling for an album I had to listen to on YouTube. Half AM Half PM. Revisit please especially opening track and the last 4
Perfectly melancholic for the first rainy, fall day where I'm at. Really good stuff though I definitely need another listen or two for the lyrics. I was really excited to see Rosalia and Johnny Cash both had covers for the titular song. Truly a sign of quality. Favorite Tracks: I see a Darkness and Another Day Full of Dread
I had this record a long time ago. Really solid stuff. It’s melancholy put to tape and perfect for a rainy day. It reminds me a bit of Nick Cave’s later stuff. 4/5
As dark as promised.
Alright Billy. So dark- made me feel better.
haunting and beautiful
This album benefits from listening in the right environment wrapped in solitude and a really good cocktail. What little I’ve heard of Will I always liked. And hearing this one will definitely make me wanna delve deeper into his stuff. It’s a really good record that survives because of its minimalist approach. A perfect example of using air and space as instruments themselves to serve the songs which only helps round out the melancholy moods. Add to that his use of unconventional, clever and at times witty lyrics and you get a really good listen.
Not sure what’s going on with Spotify missing this whole album, but going off of what’s included and the fact that I’m a fan of Will’s stuff.
Man this one is a downer. But I like it. You have to be in the right mood or atmosphere to appreciate this one. I listened to it alone on a gloomy and rainy day and it was great. Really sad but hopeful and optimistic at the same time. I See a Darkness and Death to Everyone are standouts to me. I also really like A Minor Place. The worst thing about it was that it's not on Spotify as of today so I had to listen to it on Youtube and it was interrupted by bullshit ads every other song. Anyway, loved this record and will listen again for sure. 4/5
4.5
You ever come across an album. You know would be a five star album if you've were in the right headspace for it? Today's not the day, but I can feel it (9.35) ★★★★½
It's dark, melancholic and beautiful. 4.5 stars
This was a really cool album. Bonnie Prince Billy kind of reminds me a lot of Nick Cave's material from this era, where it feels a bit out of time and there's these elements of darkness and sadness underneath. Lots of highlights here, including "Nomadic Revery", "I See a Darkness", "Madeline-Mary", and " Death to Everyone". 4.5 stars.
This sound was everywhere in the late 90s/early 00s. I do really appreciate the vocal harmonics on this album. Hopeful and melancholic lyrics sang over simple but fitting music.
This was an atmospheric, dark, lovely album. Would definitely listen to this again.
Good late-night album.
Interesting - 4 stars
So haunting.
I enjoyed it, but will I return? Who knows.
I like how haunted this albums feels
Tortured Americana that feels like having a deep depression on the porch of your mobile home.
Wow! I'm really surprised at how this album can be dark, haunted, nocturnal and depressive, but at the same time pastoral, passionate and full of light and hope. A great one and I'll come back to it for sure.
This one felt very moody and melancholy. I enjoyed listening to it. Best song: Another Day Full Of Dread Notable(s): Death To Everyone, Black
4.5 I was familiar with Will Oldham’s work as a child actor (go watch Matewan! One of the best films ever), and I knew he had retired from acting to make music, but this absolutely blew me away! This just hit me exactly where I want to be hit - deep in the soul, dark, gothic, folksy. Loved loved loved this. I listened to it like three times yesterday. With another couple listens it could easily be 5 stars for me. Bummer this isn’t on streaming (tho respect to him for that of course), because I’d be listening to it as naseum if it was. Fantastic find for this project.
Pure beauty! Man I Liked this!!!
Incredibly soulful, filled with dread, longing and sounds that bring you to your knees. It's a very personal record and one you have to listen to alone to fully experience it. Very good find.
I took my time with this one as it was quite different. Of all the albums I've listened to, this one really encapsulates the feeling of depression. My immediate reaction on the first few minutes was dismissive and negative but after I gave it a chance I decided it was actually quite good.
Better than Coldplay
This is probably the closest thing to Jason Molina on this list so I’ll give this as close to a 5 as I can give to an album that’s not on spotify
He sounds fragile. Like as if he's trying out his voice under this alias. I think I hear that it's from the same era as Nirvana. The sound is similar, but this is a more toned down and sader version. Doesn't sound angry at all.
Beautifully bleak. I’d like to return to this one again in the winter sad vibes
it is quite cute, liked it, a bit depressing but beautiful nonetheless, but not on spotify. :(
Country Elliot Smith, très touchant. Définitivement des réécoutes en vu
Sounds real nice, kinda melancholy, and the lyrics are often quite inventive and weird. This isn't quite a five out of five, but it's a high four for sure.
If decay had a soundtrack this could be it. Great album but you need to be in the right mood.
A good folk album. Probably getting an extra star because i was in the mood for this today.
Was surprised by how much I enjoyed this album. The vocals started a little rough, but by the end I was really getting into it. I could see this becoming a favorite with more listens.
Was not expecting to like this, but was pleasantly surprised. Easy listening and if it were on Spotify, would probably get a few lore listens from me. 4/5
Thought this was really good - would check more of his stuff out.
Oh Will Oldham, I remember you. Thanks for stopping by. It's been a while. I miss the melancholy mood of this record. It brings the darkness Bonnie Prince Billie sees.
Somehow missed this one completely when it came out -- which is weird, it would have been right up my alley (plus let's hear it for a 90's album that's not 20 min too long). Going back and forth on the rating because it's maybe a little bleak for consistent listening, but screw it. 4 stars
I liked it a lot. Never heard of it before now. Dark and subdued. It fits its own place. Nice resting place after a day of 90s pop onslaught.
I’m a fan of the lofi sound Bonnie “Prince” puts out.
Was a bit put off by the album cover but then I really enjoyed it. Can imagine putting it on when I’m in a bad mood and just wallowing in it, although it was maybe a bit gloomy for the mood I was in when I was listening. Fav song: Madeleine-Mary - I also liked I See a Darkness and A Minor Place Least fav: Knockturne
Perfect music for a rainy day in Glasgow (which must be why he filmed the music video here!). His voice really suits the sad vibe but there were a couple moments where it slipped to the annoying side of off pitch. Favourite: Raining in Darling (or the music video version of I See Darkness which is more upbeat than the album version) Least: Knockturne
Somehow I've never listened to him but this was great! I love folk but adding some dark gothic elements really makes it extra exciting for me.
Not on Spotify, I had to listen on YouTube. Great Lofi album.
Haunting music for loneliness and isolation. Very moving. Reminds me of the best work of Jason Molina (Magnoia Electric Co., etc.).
It was a solid album for the genre. I didn't find it particularly moving. I think I would have enjoyed it more in the winter when I was feeling down.
11 of our past 14. That’s how many albums eleven had that are either 90s, or early 2000s. Then, one from 85, one from 81. And evermore. I really enjoyed Bonnie “Prince” Billy’s most recent album, so was excited to listen to this. I liked it a lot too. Now, let’s see what decade the next album is from…
I liked it more after it listened to it. A really cool record with some deep lyrics and awesome spree instrumentation.
I’d never listened to any of Bonnie “Prince” Billy’s work, but this was excellent. It’s hard to make music this dour and melancholic whilst still sounding sincere. Will be checking out more of his stuff.
Has that cult hit vibe.
How did I miss this one? Cool songs, great lyrics, melodic and playful. I will return to this one.
This was actually quite good. Seems like something Matty p might like if he were still doing this
Stripped down musical arrangements, emotional vocals. Great album
Soft ass singer/songwriter alt country. I liked it
exceptionally solid. quite dreary. would sound awesome if i lived in the outskirts of seattle and i was depressed.
TIL that Bonnie "Prince" Billy is not this guy's real name. And that he also doesn't have any music on Spotify now. (I'm assuming Joe Rogan is somehow responsible). But most importantly, today I learned that he wrote songs for Johnny Cash and he's much younger than you! I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would. He's a guy that transcends music genres and boundaries and just seems like a quirky-weird music nerd that I'm glad I found. Also, he's got a "What's in my bag" video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCKtH-2z9X4
Laid back and engaging. The somber mood drew me in.
The kind of whiny, sad album I like. In the same vein as Benji or A Crow Looked At Me, just 16 years earlier. This will be one of those albums that you either like or hate.
This didn't click with me as much as it did when I was 20 but it's still quality. Might go back to it sometime as I had forgotten all about him
Really enjoyed this, only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is I can't see myself going to a different platform to listen to it again
Never heard of him! But was very enjoyable.
I almost didn't have time to listen to this album, and I'm glad I did. The overall tone for most songs is quite bare-bone and singular, but BPB still somehow finds the range to express a remarkable span of emotions. He delivers some pretty bleak lyrics (although I wouldn't exactly call them 'revolutionary' or even 'clever') with a certain cadence of 'hey, what are you gonna do?'. It's kinda like he's grinning while pondering death, without going overboard and sounding too nihilistic. A very cohesive, clean album the whole way through. Maybe deserves a 5, but I'm kinda borderline, rounding down from like a 4.437779 or so.
Apparently I listened to this album back in 2021 and rated it 4/5. It gives strong Magnolia Electric Co vibes, just a little less rock-heavy and more folk-heavy, but like all albums on this list, it came out a few years before the album it reminds me of. I'll throw it another 4 despite not having anything more to say on it. It sounds like something I'd like so no reason to dig too much deeper
I think this warrants a more careful relisten. There are some beautiful moments but also some tough ones. Not quite a wash, but not totally my thing.
Admittedly I'm not the world's biggest Bonnie Prince Billy fan, but this is one of his better albums.
I quite enjoyed this one! Would listen again, nice chilled indie-ish guitar stuff
Unique and enjoyable. Some great depth throughout.
Mornful, sucks that this isn't on spotify because I will probably forget about it.
This is an artist whose name I've only seen, and I had no idea what to expect sonically. I loved it, understated but cohesive, unlike some lo-fi, pared back folk. Reading more about Will Oldham, I guess he was and is super involved with artists I love (and their legacies) like David Berman and Jason Molina (RIP both), so I probably should have listened to this earlier. They all have a shared sensibility I deeply relate to. The fact that people are rating this harshly because it's not available on Spotify... come on. Get real.
Really solid folk album
I LOVE IT SM!!! i couldnt find it on spotify but i listened to it from yt music AND IT IS GOOD. especially the first 5 songs. i will probably listen to it later too.
Based on the album cover the music was not what I was expecting. Was seriously impressed by this album. I wish it was available on streaming services so I could give it a more thorough review, but youtube adverts make me wanna throw myself out the window. I'll give a 4.
Spare, moody, dirge-like. "A Minor Place" is great. Title cut, too (was good enough for Johny Cash!) Perhaps there was room for a few more bells and whistles, but hard to deny the power of simplicity and authenticity of the emotion. "Death to Everyone" is strong, too, getting right to the point, but it also has a sense of humor about it, which one likes. The closer is a fitting and coherent end. This is very much the kind of thing one likes if one like this kind of thing, which one very much does.
I think music is at its best when it makes the listener feel what the artist was feeling when they wrote it. That transfer of emotion, of humanity, is what makes music an art form. I am now depressed after having listened to this album.
Dude singing sad songs with a guitar - sign me up. I was into the Gothic Neil Young-esque tunes. The one criticism I have is that the album was all one note - no joy to be found.
Much more interestingly pleasant and melodic than I expected by the name of the album and songs. Moody but peaceful with lyrics to match. Might not be good if it doesn’t match your mood at the time but great when it does.
calming and haunting
This is one the big surprises from this project so far. Indie/Folk music for me is very hit or miss, and for the most part not my favorite genre of music. However something about the somberness of this album really resonated with me. I am obsessed with the song "Death to Everyone". I definitely felt an odd emotional connection with that song, it got me thinking about life and death.
I liked it. I don’t know what the rest of y’all are smoking.
Nice
I wasn’t a fan of Bonnie Prince Billy - after having seen a show of his and I felt it was too long and maybe I wasn’t in the mood for it. This record though won me over - it’s got good tunes - not too long and happy to refer back to it in the future.
Pari erittäin nautittavaa kappaletta, aloitus A minor place erityisesti. Todella hyvä kokonaisuus: vaikka biisit on rauhallisia, välillä nostetaan tempoa ja volaa, että saadaan kuulija hereille. Vähän Suftjan Stevens -henkeä, mutta ei hänen paisutteluaan. Ei ehkä ihan puhdas 4 ekalla kuuntelukerralla, mut vahva kolme puol.
Una voz con mucha emoción, pocas veces escuché algo así. Muy bueno para sufrir en silencio. Por más que no sea mi estilo, seguramente vuelva algún día a escucharlo, mirando algún paisaje.
He's a unique artists but not everything worked for me personally. Madeline-Mary reminded me of CSNY and the other spacier tracks towards the back of the album were cool. Low 4 bc I feel nice.
Didn't care much about this one way or the other. But a couple catchy tracks. 4/5 Highlights: A Minor Place Madeleine-Mary
We moesten maar weer de hel van onbetaald YouTube door staan, maar ik moet zeggen dat 't het wel waard was eigenlijk. Ik kende de titelsong, het origineel en z'n vele covers, maar ik wist niet dat er een heel album aan verbonden zat. Het is indie folk met een duistere ondertoon, en die kwetsbaarheid vooropstelt. Hierdoor is het soms iets te zwaarmoedig voor de everyman, maar het laat wel een indruk achter. En het is echt niet dat je alleen opgesloten zit met z'n zwaarmoedige toon, omdat de muziek bij tijd en wijlen best beweegt en - heel soms zelfs - opbeurt. Vond het wel een karakteristieke plaat, en ik ga zeker in de gaten houden of hij weer op Spotify verschijnt. 7,5/10 Highlights: I See A Darkness Death to Everyone Nomadic Revery (All Around)
I complained about sparseness previously with Nick Cave, but I like how Will Oldham uses it here. The space that the minimal guitar, bass, drums and piano creates a melancholic and introspective atmosphere that builds upon the lyrical themes and Oldham's vulnerable vocals. The instrumentation isn't always necessarily sparse, for example Nomadic Revery (All Around) actually has a pretty cool guitar solo towards the end, it's just unusually hidden behind Oldham's voice. Another Day Full Of Dread also features a solo, this time front and centre, which sounds full of potential to be a shredder but it's as though the player can barely get through it (in a good way, if that makes any sense, in that it adds to the downtrodden tone). Sorrowful but stunning at the same time I liked this quite a lot, it seems like something that may take a lot of time to sink in and could hit pretty hard at a low or vulnerable point for the listener. Wish this was on Spotify so I could listen to it from start to finish without stupid Google adverts completely ruining the atmosphere Highlights: I See A Darkness, Madeline-Mary, Another Day Full Of Dread
Par moments un peu trop doux pour moi, mais c'est un très bon album très chargé émotionnellement. Ça sonne beaucoup plus authentique que tellement d'artistes similaires. 8/10
I couldn't find album on Spotify. Played the title track and other songs. Liked it.
Never heard of this but its actually very good.
Jeg har kun hørt navnet før så jeg ved ikke helt, hvad jeg forventede, men det var i hvert fald ikke Bon Iver 10-15 år før tid. Den slags musik jeg ikke ofte sætter på, men når jeg er i humør til det rammer det helt rigtigt
I’ve never heard of this album or artist before, but I’ve seen the cover on the list website, and every time I see it, I’m intrigued by it. I love how on the list website has Britney Spears’s Baby One More Time wedged between Turbonegro’s Apocalypse Dudes and this album. The pink cover of Spears’s album wedged between two black album covers, one of which is emblazoned with a skull that looks like it came from an x-ray machine with a static problem, is quite the juxtaposition. Anyway, enough rambling, it’s time to see about this darkness that Bonnie “Prince” Billy is seeing (can you really see darkness?). This album was quite the pleasant surprise. I really enjoyed the stripped-down instrumentation, the soft vocals, and the songwriting. The melodies on each song, while simple, were really beautiful and pleasant to listen to. A few notes on some individual songs: -“A Minor Place” was one of my favorite songs on the album. I loved the piano and guitar playing, and the main melody was really great. -I didn’t enjoy how “Nomadic Revery” started, but when the tone shifted into something darker and more intense about halfway through, I really enjoyed it. -The title track was another one of my favorite songs on the album. The piano melody was really dark and haunting, and I loved the lyrics. -I loved the muted backing vocals on “Another Day Full of Dread.” Those backing vocals really gave the song a haunting feeling, and it was one of the most unique techniques on the album to establish that mood. -The guitar playing on “Death to Everyone” was some of my favorite on the album. I loved the use of distortion, and the percussion was great too. -“Madeleine-Mary” was my favorite song on the album. I loved the bluesy guitars and the urgency of the vocals. Overall, this was a great album, and something really unique for the late nineties, when boy bands and pop divas dominated the radio. My only complaint against this album is that it was a bit of a one-trick-pony in terms of sound and mood, but it was still done really well. I’d listen to this album again some day, and I’d probably even consider buying a copy of it since it’s not on Spotify.
Most people will focus on the lyrics, which makes sense, since they are poetic, oblique, and uniquely literary. Yet they wouldn't function as effectively as they so often do if weren't for the efficient and compelling instrumentation. See 'A Minor Place,' 'I See A Darkness,' 'Death to Everyone,' 'Knockturn,' 'Madeleine-Mary,' 'Today I Was an Evil One.' It's not all sombre piano, but big guitars too. I'm not too down having heard it. Maybe that's b/c 'by dread I'm inspired.' It has sweetness and tenderness, needed components of downcast forms. Possibly he has managed to weaken the attack.