Reviews (page 3 of 6)
Wow - this guy is peculiar… and I like it
Really really haunting and just so good. Loved Nomadic revery, i see a darkness, and raining in darling
Modestest Mouse. It almost lulls you to sleep in like a siren song kind of way. Very simple yet pretty effective. 7/10
I had never heard of the album or the artist, and had to listen on YouTube because it wasn’t available to play on Spotify, but apart from the ads I really liked it. A sort of alternative folk sound.
Melodisch
Chill, sad album. I really enjoyed it.
Was digging it, but having to use YouTube really ruins the flow...
I See a Darkness Death to Everyone
Note: Not available on Spotify. I'm sure it was no coincidence that this got served up on Hallow'een. Creepy and lovely in equal measure, this collection of well-written pieces sits with you and stays for awhile. Quite good. Unexpected bangers: Death to Everyone, Black, Knockturne
I feel this this morning
As soon as the album cover came up, I knew I would love this album. Apart from I didn't. The first track was awkward and repetitive, almost to the point of being annoying. I felt a little let down; were my expectations too high maybe? The rest of the album was pleasant enough, but not great by any standard. I tried a relisten when I had more time to concentrate and this went a little better. But I found this very hard to rate. I feel it's somewhere between 2 and 4 stars, as it wasn't awful, but it wasn't perfection. On the basis that I will almost certainly attempt a relisten again in the future, it gets 4 stars.
just listened to this full thing twice in a row. it's sad boy autumn i normally bristle a bit at this countrified indie-folk sound, because it tends to come off as a bit smug, inauthentic, or above itself. but not only is this record free from those trappings but it also, with its grim sincerity and sparse arrangements, really hits. 4.5/5
grim and funereal, this album definitely isn't a good pick if you're looking for something happy to listen to. this often morbid and dreary sense of songwriting can resonate with plenty of people. it's another one of those albums on here where you have to sit down and listen to it to fully enjoy it. just like how positive and euphoric emotions can be used as an outlet for music, the same thing goes for these complex at times emotions too.
Muy sentido. Me gusta
This was a bummer. A compelling bummer but a bummer nonetheless.
Lovely gentle album, just the thing to listen to on a long train home after an exhausting 5 days at a conference.
Maybe it says something about the current state of my mental health, but I really enjoyed this album and am going to listen to more by this artist. Personal enjoyment: 4/5 Relevance to this list: 3/5
82% Best: A Minor Place; I See A Darkness; Death To Everyone; Madeleine-Mary Must-Hear? Sure
Not on Spotify
Excellent songwriting and atmosphere. Excited to spend more time with this one. 4.5/5
Moody, but too mellow for me
Another album that's not available on Spotify...I'm going to go out on a limb and say that if it's this difficult for a person to listen to an album, it is not so essential that it belongs on this list. This is already the best of the albums I couldn't listen to on Spotify. I bet the Avett Brothers love this guy. Man, this is depressing. His voice reminds me of Damien Rice. O definitely feels like it was written after listening to this. The music is good, I'm going to have to give this a second listen to really get into the lyrics. The drums in Madeline-Mary makes it different from the rest of the album but it's great. This album was good. I'm going to listen to it a second time before I give it a final rating but I definitely liked it. This was a few years before it's time probably.
Such a quiet album, I kept increasing the headphones volume on Apple Music throughout the experience, then had my eardrums assaulted by a different Bonnie Billy song queued up at the end. Having known this guy only from a role in A Ghost Story (2017), I didn’t know what to expect from his songs, although I had an idea: harsh growls à la Tom Waits, as befitting the title + skull on the cover. I was wrong. It’s still a dark, sometimes emotional listen, but the music & Oldham’s voice is immediately easy on the ears. HL: title track, “Death To Everyone”, “Madeleine-Mary”, “Today I Was An Evil One” August 20, 2024
Peaceful, emotional, raw but not unpolished. This was nice.
Quite melancholy, but very nice sound. Sounds like a gloomy day
Yes it's dour and downbeat, but there's beauty and optimism throughout. This one needs further listens, but time well spent.
3.5 stars. Dark and brooding but musically it's pretty good. Standouts are "Death to Everyone" and title track.
Really good! I'm not the biggest fan of the "loose" production, but the songwriting was great, in the gloomiest possible way.
Shame about this not being on Spotify, I was quite enjoying it but the ad breaks after every song completely ruined it. Very sombre, can see this hitting hard when in the right mood. Wish I could listen another couple of times to judge properly. 3.5*
I havent spun this in so many years. What a mistake. A devastating great album. 4.5
I’ve never heard him before and I really like this. Definitely a grower. I find it kind of intriguing. By far the best ‘YouTube only so I can’t do anything else on my phone while I’m listening’ album so far’
I liked this one. Well, I liked the music. I read the description and I may regret having liked it if the words are as off as the Murder Ballads album. I really wasn't paying much attention to the lyrics but I liked his voice and the music and the generally dark and brooding mood of it all.
A slow sad burn, but it's great songwriting and especially some of the early tracks hit you in the soul.
I spent a few weeks of the summer of 2004 in a Carlisle, PA townhouse with Bonnie "Prince" "Will Oldham" Billy. He was a lovely chap. And after that, I listened to a lot of his music, including this. And it's difficult to separate the art from the nostalgia, but that was a pretty great summer all in. If you'd like to know what it was like, watch The Guatemalan Handshake (Todd Rohal, 2006). Also, the video for I See A Darkness (not the version on this album, but still) is top drawer.
Forced to listen on YouTube, and I couldn't abide constantly needing to skip adverts. I ain't paying for no stinkin' Premium. Anyway, I only got halfway through. What I did hear, however, really intrigued. Sensitive balladry, spooky southern gothic folk, and music so ramshackle that it seemingly threatened to fall apart at the seams. Might go buy a physical copy of this - until then, a tentative (but well-earned, on the basis of what I heard) four stars.
It's a shame this album is removed from Spotify. It's a twisted, dark but ambient composition that reminded me of Nick Cave.
I think it's a good album, but one where I wasn't in the right mood to truly love it. Like, if I was happened to come into this thing while I was feeling sad, it probably would've blown my mind. For sure, the few times I tried to put myself in that headspace, it clicked way better. Though without truly being there—y'know, not pretending... I can feel it, rumbling under the ground, but at most it's a 4 teetering on a 3, speaking in terms of personal enjoyment. At least it wasn't the slog the album covered made it look like it'd be, oof.
This album has a feeling of a personal concert where the artist has the freedom to talk about what they have on their mind.
I am on an incredible streak of great depression albums right now. I love the stripped back sound of this album, you could certainly get a bit much with the effects especially considering the lyrical content, but keeping it a bit more laid back gives it a much more resigned and somber energy.
lots of great stuff here, my favorite track was probably today i was an evil one. unfortunately alt country rarely manages to click with me as much as regular folk or country does so this fails to go above a 7/10. also i hate being that guy but this not being on spotify and not making it free to listen to on bandcamp is extremely annoying.
Am I depressed?
This album is just beautiful, that's the best way that I can describe it. It's so soft and mellow, and honestly really comforting almost. The vocals are simply gorgeous and so passionate yet so soft. It breaks my heart that this album not only isn't on Spotify, but also has such a low average rating. (As of May 2024), 2.96!?!? Are you guys for real? Appalling.
Блять, я заплакал 8/10
Honestly, the dark, negative energy from this album gives me positive thoughts. Very ambitious, full of great thoughts.
interesante propuesta de dark(? folk. me gusta como construye una atmosfera oscura e intrigante, sorprendido
Super annoying this isn't on spotify - definitely a few songs I'd like to listen to (Death to Everyone, I See a Darkness). A rather solitary atmosphere. Sparse, haunting, but engaging. Not all songs were good though, Madeleine-Mary was a mess - some awful overdubbing. Seems like quite a prolific musician, I'm a bit surprised I'd not heard of him.
Well this was pretty bleak.... Wasn't convinced initially but I did really quite enjoy it. Probably unsurprisingly. Shame it isn't on Spotify currently. I see a darkness and raining in darling we're the highlights 3.5
Lovely scratchy depresso-folk ballads here. Thought the compositions were a cut above some of his contemporaries in the genre. Would be spinning a lot if it was on the toxic green app - I don't know if it quite reaches navigate to YouTube heights. Fave track: I See a Darkness Fave track:
Strong stuff. Will revisit.
I dig these folk songs that are so bleak they make Elliot Smith sound cheery. I’m not into the more country elements as much.
Didn’t know the prognosticator from A Ghost Story also made music. 4/5
I was pleasantly surprised by this one!
Haunting and desolate, but also calming and peaceful. Probably best listened to alone. My favourite tracks were A Minor Place, I See a Darkness, Another Day Full of Dread, Death To Everyone, Today I Was An Evil One, and Raining In Darling. Not the best vocals but they fit the vibe. A shame it isn't on Spotify because I swear there was an ad like every 2 songs on YouTube. 4, another album added to the high ratings streak
Although this one was a struggle to find, we did really enjoy it. It starts off really strong and the title track was excellent as well. A little moody, somewhat sombre. We had a good time. It's a shame we probably won't listen much as it's not very accessible.
4 por I See a Darkness. Merece la pena escuchar las veriones de Johnny Cash y Rosalía de esa canción.
Chill Fav songs: I see darkness Death to everyone Madeleyne mary ;)
Weirdly good experience. It's sad and yet you feel compeled to listen to it more in depth. 4 stars
Sad it’s not on Spotify. A good collection of gothic and Appalachian sounds. Favorite Track: Madeline-Mary
I actually kind of enjoyed this. Mild Sufjan vibes.
The opening track is my favorite. I heard this on the perfect day, it’s perfect when you want to lean into your sad/depressive emotions. Most of my music is usually much more upbeat so this was a great change of pace. I wish it was on Spotify Rating: 4.4
Shades of Neil Young, and the darker output of Leonard Cohen. The lyrics can be simplistic, but I think the mood is conveyed well through the sparseness of the music. Think it demands more than just one listen. Favorite tracks: "I See A Darkness", "Death To Everyone"
I'd never heard this man before but I dig! I don't know what it is that I like about this that wasn't there for me in Wilco. Just a vibration thing I guess.
Spare sound, emotional lyrics... I like it a lot!
Like some portal into the grey bruised sadness of Will's mind. But it feels good. Soft, touching themes to lay over rainy spring days where the temperature doesn't quite reach the promise. Headphone record to come back to.
1999 Genre: Indie folk, gothic folk Standouts: I See a Darkness, Minor Place, Nomadic Revery (All Around), Another Day Full of Dread, Death to Everyone, Black, Raining in Darling, Never heard this before. I absolutely love it. 4/5
Heat imo
I listened to this on a pretty dreary day, so it was a good fit. Too bas it wasn't on a treaming service I have, so I had to suffer through ads. 4/5
Lovely, haunting and self-contained. Seems to set the stage for alt/psych-folk and emo, without replicating those genre's many and obvious sins. Opener and title cut are both particularly engaging. "Death to Everyone" is exhibit A of why quiet became the new loud and how to do it right, for max emotional impact. There's a tension in the vocals that nicely complements the edge on the playing, adding to the vibe of seriousness, of thoughtfulness. There's a sense of BPB doing it his way, if not quite full-on uncompromisingly.
Wow. This probably is an album that runs hot or cold with people but I was really sucked in. Very solid stuff, unique vocals.
I find that folk/indie like this can walk a fine line between beautiful and boring. I think this is closer to the former. It's quite gloomy but not everything can be happy and positive.
It grew in me. Would rate it higher if I weren't on antidepressants.
mellow but with an edge. prefer this sort of style to Nick Drake, if that's even a compare. not sure I need to hear any more though
4 por I See a Darkness. Merece la pena escuchar las veriones de Johnny Cash y Rosalía de esa canción.
1999 Genre: Indie folk, gothic folk 5/5: (None) 4/5: A Minor Place, Nomadic Revery (All Around), I See a Darkness, Another Day Full of Dread, Death to Everyone, Knockturne, Song For the New Breed, Black, Raining in Darling Rating: 4/5
Mellow, great songwriting.
Gjörsamlega gordjöss plata.
Sad. So Sad. So Good. So Sad
Een paar goeie nummers, maar anders maar oké
At the time of release in 1999: was much impressed by this album and its successor Easy Down The Road. Perhaps not as good as There Is No-One What Will Take Care of You, but still getting very close. Listening to it again now: songs are still very good, but BPB's voice is slightly annoying and gets a little on my nerves (whereas that Palace Brothers record still sounds as great as ever). score in 1999: 9/10 score in 2024: 8/10
I liked this quite a bit, my favorite track is "I See A Darkness". I'm sad this isn't on Spotify, I'd listen to it a lot more. Pretty good sad boy album!
Nice and chill songs, too bad not available on Spotify for me
אלבום ממש טוב התחיל משעמם אבל אם מקשיבים למלים הוא נהיה ממש טוב
New to me. Definitely needed to be in a certain frame of mind to stay with it, and I am there right now. That’s the beauty of this whole exercise, when it happens - music that has been there this whole time, waiting to be discovered and appreciated.
4 por I See a Darkness. Merece la pena escuchar las veriones de Johnny Cash y Rosalía de esa canción.
Known before: / Standouts: 02. Nomadic Revery (All Around) 05. Death To Everyone 07. Madeleine-Mary Rating: 8.0
A landmark album of ours time
Rating: 8/10 Best songs: Another day full of dread, Madeleine-Mary, Nomadic revery, I see a darkness, Death to everyone
Not bad if you're in the right mood.
This album is not available on Spotify, but it’s solid
Sweet and really depressing – even more so later in the album. Lo-fi-sounding with its disheveled two-part harmonies and tentative rhythm section. The climactic moments, such as the second half of Nomadic Revery, are powerful. I See A Darkness is a stellar track that really summarises the whole album, making the tracks following it a little obsolete. Simplistic instrumentation, chord progressions, and melodies, all of which point to an emphasis on lyrics and mood. Not exactly my thing, but still easily one of my favourite post-80s albums. Key tracks: A Minor Place, Nomadic Revery, I See a Darkness, Death to Everyone
One I started listening to the first song, I thought "This is going to suck." But the further I got into the album and really started listening to the album, it really got to me. The album is about loss and depression but also coming out of the other side. Not everything has to be happy and upbeat. It sucks that the album is on YouTube, because this beautiful, dark album was frequently interrupted with Christmas ads.
i appreciated this album, i wish it was on spotify because i always forget to listen to albums that aren’t. i could hear damien rice and father john misty in the album, felt like both were influenced
This album matched my mood perfectly. I liked it quite a bit, and I think I would like it on any given day. Melancholy, not too long, good singing voice, heavy subject matter handled in a delicate way. Those are many hallmarks of my taste. This album reminded me of You Want It Darker but it doesn't unseat that Leonard Cohen album in my list.
Woah, Prince was really prolific wasn't he.
Surprisingly good album, relaxed and atmospheric mood
sad.
Awesome. Beautiful and melancholic. Dude has some talent and it shows here!
Otroligt mörkermys. Lite likt Elliott Smith rent tematiskt, fast mer elektroniskt och "producerat". Så ledsen att albumet inte finns på spotify. Älskar mörka 'Death to Everyone' och skruvade 'Madeleine-Mary'. 'I See a Darkness' är också fin, tydligen har Johnny Cash gjort en cover på den. Kan säga, innan jag hört hans version, att det känns passande. 'Black' också vacker. Bästa låt: Death to Everyone.
In his first album as Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Will Oldham tapped into a world that provided himself and many listeners with the sort of musical experience that would be noted for a long time. It is hardly a surprise that it was held as a beacon for singer-songwriter indebted indie rock from the moment it arrived and, the further one digs into the album and its mythology, the more rewarding it will be. When Johnny Cash decides to cover a song from your album, it signifies that you had made it. Favorites: A Minor Place, I See a Darkness, Another Day Full of Dread, Death to Everyone, Knockturne, Madeleine-Mary, Song for the New Breed, Black.
Cool indie folk! Cool vocals and lyricism to be found. Also kinda sad in its instrumentation and lyricism :(. Good album, nonetheless.
Melancholic and peaceful. Poetic lyrics. Sometimes like a hymnal song? Reminds me a bit of sun kil moon?
I wavered back and forth on this album a bit because I didn't like his voice at first, but it really grew on me. I can't think of anything else that this really sounds like. His poetry is beautiful, and the simplicity of the music really helps set it off. I think I'm going to have to buy this one 4/5
Very real album hitting on depression and the darkness in our lives and how we must proceed ahead while facing these difficulties. Love the stripped back instruments
You definitely have to be in the mood for this vibe, but man, it hit right today. Chillingly beautiful soundtrack to my melancholic walk around Tempelhofer Feld this afternoon.
ganske rolig, backes når man leser
3.5/5
Gick inte att lyssna på och det var ett tag sen jag hörde den. En fyra blir nog bra.
Never heard of this guy before but I immediately took to him. Very spare songs, morose and melancholy. I even started listening to it a second time. Might not be the most original material but very relatable - hit the right note with me.
Upon first listen I was underwhelmed until the song Madeleine Mary, which I initially liked because it had more going on than the other songs. I read the Wikipedia entry on the artist, which led me to Johnny Cash’s cover of I See A Darkness. This morning I gave the album a second listen and liked it very much. What I initially dismissed as simple became a bit more….I don’t know ….just more.
Difficult to access, this was awesome. I even tried to buy it through iTunes but it only seems to be available via subscription? Not sure, but bummed it was so hard to get to.
i was familiar with three of these songs beforehand and always liked them, but for some reason never took the plunge to listen to the whole album. I'm glad I did. In spite of its bleakness, there's humor and warmth. The arrangements are sparse, but inventive. The album kept surprising me. I can see why a lot of people don't like Will's singing, but I dig it, even when it meanders off pitch. Johnny Cash's cover of the title track is great, too.
Had a hell of a time finding this one -- finally located the full album on Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVcXArTdoAE) First impressions, this is some indie that Pitchfork would almost certainly love. Also, immediate impression is that the production quality is very very good -- tons of depth and attention to detail. This is some bleak, but beautiful music. Austere arrangements, but there is a lot of attention to detail and little effects and features if you pay attention to the background. Death to Everyone is among my favorites so far -- probably as close to upbeat as this will get. One of the more abrupt endings that I've heard recently. I waited for a good minute or two for the next track to start before I realized it was done. Someone really ought to check in on Bonnie "Prince" Billy -- this is some premier sad boi, dark days music. Spooky album cover and beautifully glum arrangements. While this isn't exactly my favorite type of music, this was really well done. From a production standpoint alone this scores high. Add also a very capable singer and some interesting writing. I'd say this is somewhere firmly in 4 territory and expect that with easier access this would grow on me.
Quite nice alt country record. There’s some beautiful song craft here, while lyrically pretty grim. 7 out of 10
was good
Goos album, will def listen to again. Nice folk singer songwriting with a hint of indie rock. Nice.
I liked it - kind of a Nick Drake vibe with a modern relation to everything. Easy, but not super "folksy"
I'm generally here for Will Oldham. I think he's a powerful writing talent and a pretty decent performer. But you kind of have to be in the mood for him. I'm not sure I was in that mood today. But I got there. It helps that Oldham is a great songwriter. The lyrics are stunningly beautiful. "I See A Darkness" is just such a solid and distinct vibe. It's a catchy kind of bleak chill that settles over you like a warm, heavy blanket on an overcast, cool early winter day. Soporific in all the good ways.
4 por I See a Darkness. Merece la pena escuchar las veriones de Johnny Cash y Rosalía de esa canción.
I had no clue what I was in for this morning when I saw Bonnie 'Prince' Billy's name come up. Not a name I had ever heard before. From what I've read, he went through many name changes over the years before ultimately landing on this one. Firstly, this album isn't on Spotify. Not strange since the whole Joe Rogan fiasco that ended with a bunch of artists pulling their stuff off. I was able to find it on YouTube. Upon reading reviews of this album, it became clear that it was a fairly gloomy record of the folk rock/blues genre. I do tend to enjoy those genres, so I was hopeful that this would follow suit. This is an excellent mood rock album, which at times reminded me of Hozier's style of gloomy folk rock. There was definately some deep seated pain that was worked through with the writing of this record. Bonnie 'Prince' Billy has a style of vocal delivery in which he records himself singing the same lyrics almost as an echo, so you're left with three or four layered vocal tracks all playing at once. It kind of sounds like if you sang in a church, or large open space. I really liked the instrumentation on this record. It was kept fairly simple with keyboard and guitar in the forefront. It was nice and soft, and kind of backed up the gloomy feel of the record. It made me think of a rainy, gray, damp spring day. Overall, a really good album. I quite enjoyed it, but can understand that you really have to be in a certain mindset to tolerate it, just because it is such a downer. But if you allow yourself to keep an open mind, there is beauty in the shadows that this record casts. If it wasn't such a pain in the arse to find, I would definately listen again! Favorite songs: A Minor Place, Another Day Full of Dread, Madeline-Mary, Song For the New Breed, Black Least favorite songs: Nomadic Revery (All Around) 4/5
I'm really enjoying this but worry I'll never listen again because it's off Spotify
There are a lot of things I liked about this album.
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.
Spooky. I like it.
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.
Not a cheery album...
Sombre un peu déprimant mais bon
Curious band, nice
If you give his voice some time, it’s more heartbreaking than just grating, like in the beginning. Definitely a mood
stor fan av detta album men youtube ads va lite störande
Chilllllllll
Crushingly gentle
Sounds quaint and nice
Gentle but powerful, this was an excellent listen
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.
Title track is beautifully perfect emotional resonance. Melancholy and worth repeated listens
No clue about this ahead of listening but it's beautiful.
Amazing voice, perfectly accompanied
Lovely, 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.
Kaunista ja synkkää. Hyvää folkkia todentotta vaikken kyseisen genren suurkuluttaja olekaan! 4/5
Tähän sopi youtuben mainokset hyvin eiku. Voimakas ja kaunis levy. Tykkään laulutyylistä kovasti.
Herkkä ja kaunis levy, iski kyllä. 4/5, voi tulevilla kuunteluilla nousta täyteen femmaan.
Interesting album. I like it.
Good music. Good lyrics. Nice listen.
7/10. Really good, stay tuned for my Minecraft parody of the first song "A Miner Place"
Actually quite pretty at times, just wasn't very exciting either. 7/10
très bien, dark, dans la lignée spirituelle du post rock, proche de slint
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.
Ok, I'm depressed now :)
Bonnie Prince is so weird and wonderful. Love this album
Wow this one really did it for me. Well done.
Really enjoyed the mood of this one
good
This was a really good album, definitely worthy of the praise it receives.
Dug the vibe of this but it wasn't available on Spotify
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.
Альбом целостный, впечатление приятное оставил.
Shows how enjoyable a folk album can be even if it's just simple instrumentation and one vocalist
Chillaxing
Chillax.
un des meilleurs albums de "country" du millénaire je pense
Really good folk - gotta be if Johnny Cash will cover ya late career. Started very strong, finished less so. Squeaks into a 4.
// Favs: Score: Decent to Strong 4
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.
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.
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 See a Darkness stands as a hauntingly intimate masterwork, anchored by Bonnie 'Prince' Billy’s signature laid-back vocal delivery and a thematic commitment to introspection and gloom. While tracks like "Death to Everyone" and the jarring "Today I Was an Evil One" may falter in their execution, the album largely succeeds through its minimalistic approach, allowing evocative, poetic lyrics to take center stage. From the folky warmth of "Nomadic Revery" to the atmospheric depth of "Song for the New Breed," the record crafts a cohesive, emotionally resonant journey that feels both fragile and expansive, culminating in the poignant beauty of "Raining in Darling." It is a compelling, if occasionally uneven, exploration of dread and existence that earns a solid 3.5/5.
I quite enjoyed this. Very nice and calming.
Pleasant, but didn’t leave a huge impression on first listen. Will revisit.
A bit morose for my taste but well done.
No esta en Spotify 3
Dark and sad but American and Whiny
My streaming service didn't have the album. I listened to a few tracks on YouTube. It wasn't that bad, but it wasn't interesting enough for me to want to check it out further. 3/5
it was fine. i didn't dive into the lyrics or anything though Would I listen again: perhaps Deserves to be on this list: unsure 3.2
I had to track this one down on YouTube because it wasnt on Spotify and there is nothing more jarring that having music like this interrupted by jarringly upbeat adverts. I enjoyed quite a few of the tracks, but there were a couple where I found the vocals quote off putting. The band delivered big time on every track though. The cover art alone is 5* Not sure I'll seek it out again specificly but I did enjoy my listen through. 3.25* rounded to 3*
The album cover looks spooky... LET'S SEE 🥹🥹 I want him to sing in my ear until I fall asleep
I’ve heard snatches of BPB music in the past and been quite impressed so this was a welcome inclusion on the list. Slow melancholic music always appeals to me so this was an OK listen but I couldn’t say that I was 100% engaged for the whole album. Damien Rice is a comparable artist and if you do compare Damien wins hands down. 3/5 19/6/26
A pretty good album, I liked A Minor Place the most.
Decent.
Melancholy. Soulful. And just not the right day for me to really hear it. Giving a 3 for first impression, but I need to go back and listen again.
moody
It’s good, but not even the best Will Oldham
Sounds like the soundtrack to a medical drama
Interesting modern take on a folky sound
Good! I think at a different time in my love I wouldve loved this.
Didn't mind it but will likely never think aobut it again. RYM: N Saved a song: N
Sad folk. For an artist and album I have never heard of before I really enjoyed this one. It reminded me a little of Rufus Wainwright.
It's a lovely, sad album. It's good stuff, so it is a shame that it is a bit difficult to access. Favorite track: "I See a Darkness"
An album meant for a melancholy mood.
Would have to be on the mood for this, and quite liked some of it. Not quite sure how often I would be in the mood though, but if I am I'll give it another go.
Probably quite good. Not available as an album on Spotify in UK.
Never heard of this before. It was nice enough I guess.
Favorite Song; I See A Darkness
Slow-and-sad-core. If Leonard Cohen and Neil Young had a child, Will Oldham may have been the result. Some of the songs feel too undercooked. But after a bit of listening work the melodies do appear. There just doesn't feel enough to draw the listener back compellingly, and the mind wanders off. There feels a real seed of something here though, and I'll be checking out his later albums. In a way it's a bit like one of those magic eye posters from the 90s. Listen hard enough and for long enough, and suddenly melodies will appear and hold you transfixed. But it takes concentration.
ah
Solo he encontrado la canción del titulo. En la linea habitual de Wild Oldham, luego Bonnie...
Dour, Appalachia style folk rock that was all the rage during this era. Poetic in parts but fatiguing overall.
certainly cultivates an air of austere melancholy, but strips back very far in favor of vocals that are sometimes incomprehensible (lyrical content) and sometimes incomprehensible (diction).
This is what floating on a sinking ship probably feels like. Will Oldham still firmly believes in his ideals he set with his earlier albums. Living with The Darkness as a roommate, and the whole nine yards: the bad-bad and the bad with the rose-tinted glasses, if you catch my drift. Some tracks are great, while others a more of a filler, than anything, which doesn't help, considering the mood it sets. The middle sags a bit, with the ending and beginning having some real punch in it. A bit hopeless, and a bit like a drunken singer at the end of the night. Shame the middle is a bit nonsensical and numbing, really kills the flame.
#923. I skimmed through a little bit, it seemed fine. 3/5: something
pretty sad i guess
Thoughts before listening: One of those albums and artists that was on my radar a lot as someone who is generally a fan of alt-country and indie rock singer-songwriters. I always found BPB to be a little too weird and slow for my tastes, but maybe I wasn't listening closely enough. I'm excited to listen to this today. Review: Not on Spotify, but I was able to listen on YouTube. Its dark for sure, but I enjoyed my listen. I actually knew more of the album than I thought I would. Maybe I owned it or at least had downloaded it back in the day? Either way, I can see how BPB's lackadaisical vocal style can be a turnoff for some, but I hear it as a certain unpolished authenticity. All in all its a fine album that I will give 3-stars
Enjoyed it
Not sure how this was super influential, esp in 1999, but I did like the earnest somewhat sad singing.
It’s fine. I liked this more than I was expecting to given my previous attempts with BPB. I could see myself coming around to this album more in future. I just to be in the right mood. ☹️ 2.5 rounded up to 3 for the cover art.
Я бы послушал весь альбом в исполнении Джонни Кэша
Not bad by any means, but not something I’ll revisit most likely. Southeastern by Jason Isbell is more of my vibe for sad singer/songwriter songs.
Not an everyday album, slow and moody. Not sure how to rate.
Not my favourite BPB album but worthy of its place here.
This is probably as depressing as I should’ve anticipated from the title, which is sort of a bummer for me cause I don’t always connect with that. But thankfully the artist has really creative and silly songwriting. For example during one of my favorite songs on the album (death to everyone) has these silly “la la la” backing vocal tracks that are really endearing. It makes the somber depressing nature of the album alittle easier to stomach. The other song that had that same level of silliness in the backing vocals is “nomadic revery” which was a very close second to favorite song for the album behind death to everyone. I also really liked how psychedelic rock sounding “madeleine Mary” is, that’s also one of my favorite tracks. But as a whole the album really was too slow and depressing for me. Solid album, and if u like slow albums this is a great album.
I think it’s ok
Good album lyrically just kinda one note
6/10
Low key, low fi, low mood. A cold kind of solace.
Music for depressed white people. I kiiiinda dig it, the nihilism / existentialism etc. Probably would have loved it 15 years ago when I got into Cass McCombs (for whom this sounds like a huge influence). Will likely explore some other records by this guy at some point. Seems to be prolific.
Quite enjoyed this. 3.5
Listenable.
Not quite my style, but he has a great voice, and I get why this record is on the list.
This was almost good, but was let down by the singing.
It was okay but there are a lot better vocalist with his folkie emo style. No a huge fan.
Neat in its rawness and directness. Will Oldham cool guy
Nice gloomy sound. Shame it’s not easier to stream
Not a bad listen, but didn't hit me as being all that interesting either.
Þunglyndislegt og skrítið. Fílaða.
Epic doom and gloom album. I didn’t enjoy it, not even a little bit. It wasn’t bad though.
This was Good album and I really thought that it had a lot of really good like songs. I've never heard of this guy but I really liked it
I like this
A Minor Place 3.7 Nomadic Revery (All Around) 3.5 I See a Darkness 3 Another Day Full of Dread 3.2 Death to Everyone 3.4 Knockturne 3.2 Madeleine-Mary 3.7 Song for the New Breed 3 Today I Was an Evil One 3.3 Black 3 Raining in Darling 3 Score: 3.272727273
Dark, somber, mellow. Pretty good listen. I can see myself going back to this album when I'm that mood.
Wasn’t available 😞 Gave a 3 just as an “average” score
So dark, I liked it
kinda of a melancholy folk deal.... some songs better than others but overall not something I'd go out and choose to listen all the way through again.
Interesting if bland.
My only previous experience of BPB was in the film Dead Man’s Shoes where his song is used during a sad walk through muddy fields. Which seems like the perfect setting for him and just listening to it in a house via YouTube is not optimal. 3 stars but maybe if I’m ever lost and vengeful I’ll listen again.
Subdued.
No longer on Spotify
not on spotify?
This made me sad but I liked it.
A little slow
HEAD AND SHOULDERS ISCH WUSSTE GAR NICHT DASS SIE SCHUPPEN HABEN han na gern, dass er so schräg zweistimmig singt aber chönnt mite ziit au nerve hahaha es het öppis mega folkigs und iwie düsters? hmm ok es gheitmwr chli z fest ussenand I see a darkness isch huuuere schön I have a love for everyone I know isch so e herzigi line s cover vom johnny cash passt iwie au so zu sinere stimm!! ich, wenn ich beck bin (another day full of bread) nei findi au es megaa schöns lied, die deprimierend und energielosi stimmig gfallt mier iwie eifach hahaha au bi death to everyone wieners so nebetbii singt, finds recht cool madeleine-mary het verhältnismässig chli meh tempo jaa de rest vom album zieht sich chli joo han d stimmig eig recht gern gha und I see a darkness und day full of dread hani super gfunde. de rest hanis gfühl müsstmer chli driicho
Not on Spotify
Lord that was depressing. Eclipsed his talent though..so bleak. His sound is raw, pared down, soul naked in the light, so vulnerable. Sounds at times like J Mascis and Jackson Browne? Anyone else hear that?
Sunday afternoon. Moments of calm, reflection, and space. The glow from Saturday's adventures is wearing off, and the creep of Monday is coming in.
Best Song: I See A Darkness. I like when a song has a superficial sort of silliness painted over a strong undercurrent of sadness. Worst Song: Song For The New Breed. Its a testament to how quiet this album is that I found the guitar on this track almost vulgar in its noise. Overall: Very understated, melancholy album. I don't know in which circumstances I would return to this album (as opposed to say, an Elliot Smith record), but I kinda dug it.
I really liked it musically and lyrically, but could not connect with the vocals. Maybe I would need more time with this album.
Today I went to Major Matt's to remaster my old album And on the L train in the morning, I was pretty sure I saw Will Oldham He was wearin' the same sunglasses he had on stage at the Bowery Ballroom Had he come to walk among the Williamsburgers of his kingdom?
I didn’t recognize the artist and had some trouble with the accessibility of this album (not on Spotify, went to YouTube with ads, no lyrics, couldn’t close app to read/listen to lyrics at same time) so inevitably this album was interrupted often and my experience impacted. Another Day Full of Dread, Death To Everyone, and Madeleine-Mary were my standouts, but because it was inconvenient I didn’t dig much further.
Ultimately I’m not much of a fan of Oldham’s voice and there sure is a lot of it throughout his lengthy, often reimagined catalog. The title track is an all-timer and I love the version he did later with an unknown Angel Olsen on backing vocals.
I set it to start after my last album, and I didn't even notice it started until the fifth song, Death to Everyone. It's fine, just doesn't really stand out.
Another brand new to me album and artist. I enjoy a slow haunting vibe ... nothing really stood out on first listen, but was perfectly listenable.
I like this. I hope never to be in the mood to love this.
Not bad
Certainly an album one has to be in the right mood for, but if you're in that right mood, I'm sure this hits even better.
A haunting slice of Americana, an album that requires a specific mood and has some rough patches
Not gonna rush to listen to this one again, but a few of the songs are hauntingly beautiful.
I tend to be intimidated by Will's massive catalogue, but this feels like particularly strong songwriting.
Good vibes
Not terrible, just 11 drab songs, nothing special
Still want to get into it more
Sad, weird, dark, beautiful. Not sure how much I love his voice but he's incredible at setting a mood. To be honest, I think Rosalia's version of "I See a Darkness" is better.
No wonder he sees dark. He so sad.
okej, naslov odgovara vibeu, jako je depresivan. ne pase mi bas njegov glas, muzika je dobra, ali malo mi je previse pacenicki i u istom tonu. zvuci mi ko da je album stariji nego je.
Pleasant surprise
A very specific listening experience for a very specific mood. I enjoyed the hauntingly beautiful melody, and vocals to match. Best Track: Song For The New Breed
Couple of good ones, but ultimately not what I regularly want to hear
Bonnie Prince Billy recorded this straight after he’d been on one of Len Houmous’ famous 3 day acid trips. It wasn’t total darkness, he just hadn’t turned the lights on for 3 days. 3.0 3/11 I See Darkness
Enjoyed it. But didn't click for me. Might need to come back to it
Ok
A little slow and weepy. 2.5/5
The link to Spotify didn’t work.
Gutes Album, teilweise klar der Einfluss auf spätere Alben erkennbar. Muss man in der Stimmung für sein (war ich eher nicht so) und deep dive in die Lyrics lohnt sich wahrscheinlich, so erstmal gute 3 Sterne (und ggf. mehr Potenzial).
American oldies
Kind of boring but nice.
I thought this was a cool record. Interested in hearing more
Bonnie Prince Billy was active in 1999? He's got a really pretty voice and I totally enjoy listening to this. But otherwise pretty forgettable. I'd be happy to listen again, but won't purposely return to it. 3.3/5
Meh
3 out of 5. Better than I thought it would be.
Favorite Track: Black
Not bad but the vocals bring sad vibes
This guy really puts the alt in alt-country. It's good background music but never something I'd listen to actively. Perhaps if it had a bit more upbeat/major energy; it was all a bit much on the depressive side for my liking.
This was better than expected. 2.5
Solid album. Sparse arrangement. Think you'd need to be in a specific mood to rate this higher. 3/5.
Kinda meh
Beautiful but somehow doesn't really stick
Langweilig! Das ist der erste Eindruck. Beim intensiveren Hören bleiben dann doch einige Titel hängen.
It's just cold and dark and rainy enough for 3 stars
I enjoyed the dark, laconic vibes of this album. It piqued my interest and inspired a second listen. Its a stripped back sound but it seems to carry it off well, despite the vocals sometimes nudging into a Neil Young soundalike (not a good thing). Its, perhaps, slightly too laid back and I went through the album waiting for a resolution that never quite came. I was longing for it to crescendo into an eargasmic cacophony but instead I just got thirty seven minutes of audial edging.
This was okay.
If we're going to get one turn-of-the-millennium DIY indie folk album, it should definitely be The Glow, Pt. 2 by the Microphones, but this is fine too
Never heard this before, though I'm familiar with Johnny Cash's cover of the title track. He does a good line in downbeat, brooding meodies, and I get the feeling that this will grow on me more and more.
I’ve always wanted to like this album more for some reason. Fan of some of his more upbeat material. There are a couple brooding bangers here though. I’ll keep trying!
Depressing, reflective and melancholy. An album to listen to when you are feeling down. We all have days dark days. I have to give the man credit for making album that embodies sadness and darkness
Not for me. But the algorithm brought me some nice stuff after it was over.
I’m into some real sad-guy shit and even this was too much for me. Modern down-tempo American folk. It was a bit too one-note and sleepy for me. Wish there was more variety in the music, but I do see what people get out of this record. All in all I thought it was fine but probably won’t revisit.
Not bad, but didn’t strike me. Very mellow
There were many dark, depressive albums that I heard growing up that hit harder than this one and do everything better. Mount eerie/Microphones, Teen Suicide, etc. Might have to revisit tho?
Like Pedro the Lion but more gothic. I like his voice a lot.
Great example of this kind of music. It would have hit me in highschool. There are just so many albums like this out there. Which makes it hard to see this as required listening. Nice album art.
Pleasant enough but I wasn’t overly impressed. Having said that I did give it two listens so there must be something there.
Bonnie Prince Billy’s I See a Darkness is the sound of a man peeling his skin off. It stripped everything about the genre down to its bones. The whole album is a ghost story.