Reviews (page 4 of 7)
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.
Tough to get the full experience when it’s not on Spotify. I think I found most of the tracks on a YouTube playlist but was hilarious listening and then an ad would come on in a completely different style and confuse me. Happened more times than I should admit. This is tough. Some really interesting parts and songs. The harmonies were really cool. But overall this didn’t really stand out and felt quite sleepy at times. 2.75
Thought this was pretty good. Would benefit from a proper setting of solitude in a dark room, not around screaming kids. I am rounding up cuz I think I like it a bit more than a 2* 2.5/5
Well that was a slow album with no highlights.
Brilliantly Solemn and Dark!
Ok
Not available
Another album listened to on YouTube because the artist in this case pulled much of his work off Spotify. Some great songs here (including the title track, covered by Johnny Cash), but overall not for me. Very slow. Monotone-ish throughout. I respect the album but it is not for me.
First time of hearing this guy. Feels a pretty raw and emotive album, but when that gets going and is in full on whining, it’s doesn’t really work (see track 2) Stripped back, raw and shaky, I can see this fitting a certain mood and vibe, but I’m not really there as I listen to it. Just kinda feels depressing and rough but trying to listen with an open mind. I’ll give it 2 listens. Just feel like I’m missing something or maybe not in the right place, but it just ain’t connecting. Sorry Billy Boy
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
Anyone that knows me knows I'm a connoisseur of depressing, melancholic music... and I've never felt so disappointed by it than I did with this album. The back-up vocals being the worst quality of it all, but I found the choice of effects and arrangements to be very amateur. If you liked this album, or even kind of liked it, check out Tweaker (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3-fOTTKFr4) and Starsailor (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nigN8bSP9_4) instead. The Tweaker song I shared is sung by "Will Oldham" (aka Bonnie Prince Billy). I feel like that song is how this whole album SHOULD sound.
Fairly forgettable.
A clifton local! But also love this record.
The whole album feels like one long, weeping song.
It sounds like the sun going down on a freezing cold blue sky day with deep snow on the ground. Dark Americana, the sound of going to cabin in the woods with a guitar to work some shit out. Fraile alto vocals on the cusp of tears give this a delicate fragile mood: sombre, reflective, hurt. They're doubled and split, with a small gap between them, playing with multiples of one voice and amplifying the unsettling psychic environment of the album. Sparse arrangements let everything breathe, fill and linger in the space available for a melancholy ambience.
Oh joy and bliss, it’s time to listen to an album on YouTube. Look, I guess this is a good time to talk about Spotify. Sure, they don’t pay the artists nor their employees and hey, what’s a little military-industrial funding coming from my family subscription? I hate this modern world. Truly. Corporations gut every possible crevice where money may be lingering and then when the populace looks to distractions (bread & circuses), they capitalize further on that, making each day a waking nightmare with a drastic price tag. The way I see it, I can either become a nomadic protester, moving from company to company, switching loyalties upon the discovery of the next human rights abomination, or I can pick and choose my battles, trying to minimize the evil I expose myself to on a daily basis. I’d love to buy more music, but I can’t afford anything else, so here we are. Rock, meet hard place. That’s where the big corps come in! I’m about to have to listen to a crypto ad before every song because Bonnie Prince Billy isn’t on Spotify. We all know it’s time for guillotines, but leftist in-fighting has left us arguing on fascist platforms over “which of the evil companies is the least evil.” Whatever. Uh oh yeah, uh time for music. No track reviews today. Too much tab switching. I might trigger another ad. You come here for bad music reviews, reviews of bad music, and now, lazy political takes. Well those have always been sort of it I guess. This album is hard to judge. I found it to be really sweet in places. It obviously has a sense of humour to match its sense of melody. It is overwhelmingly dark, which I enjoyed for the most part. I would revisit this. Not as “bonnie” as I hoped it might be, but in the doldrums of depression, there is some comfort. That soundtrack is held within this album’s track listing. 3-3.5 HIGHLIGHTS: A Minor Place, Death to Everyone, Black
4.5
4.5
Just the best
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.
3.5
Bonnie “Doxepin” Billy - I See A Humdrumness.
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.
It was okay, couple of good songs though.
This was an atmospheric, dark, lovely album. Would definitely listen to this again.
Good late-night album.
Interesting - 4 stars
Bonnie „Prince“ Billy veröffentlichte 1999 mit I See A Darkness sein erstes Album unter diesem Namen. Der amerikanische Singer-Songwriter, mit bürgerlichem Namen Will Oldham, nahm die Songs in intimer Besetzung auf, oft nur mit akustischer Gitarre, Klavier und spärlichen Begleitern. Die Produktion bleibt bewusst reduziert, wodurch die Stücke einen unmittelbaren, fast privaten Charakter erhalten. Musikalisch bewegt sich das Album zwischen Alternative Folk und Americana, mit deutlichen Anklängen an Country-Traditionen. Oldham trägt die Lieder mit brüchiger Stimme vor, die mehr an Ausdruck als an technische Perfektion gebunden ist. Der Titelsong „I See A Darkness“ wurde später von Johnny Cash gecovert und zählt heute zu den bekanntesten Stücken seines Repertoires. Weitere markante Titel sind „Death to Everyone“ und „Nomadic Revery (All Around)“. Die Texte kreisen um existentielle Themen wie Freundschaft, Sterblichkeit und die innere Dunkelheit. Trotz der Schwere wirkt das Album nicht resignativ, sondern suchend und offen. Es gehört zu den Werken, die sich erst in stiller, konzentrierter Auseinandersetzung erschließen. Abschließend bleibt ein Album, das durch seine Reduktion und Intensität bleibenden Eindruck hinterlässt und Bonnie „Prince“ Billys Platz als eigenständige Stimme im Indie-Folk festigt.
Har sitt formål
Some tunes not bad. Needs a smoother voice a la Gregory Alan Isakov or Bon Iver. Not sure its an album you must hear.
Not my jam
Unable to find a copy of this
boring and not a good singer
So haunting.
Half decent easy listening.
Goodness me, makes Leonard Cohen sound like Earth, Wind & Fire. Turgid, depressing songs badly sung.
Not exciting or interesting or available.
Mumbly, depressing, and like the vocal can't decide if it wants to cone out.
еле нашла. очень печальный, но в целом норм
A couple songs were interesting but most were boring to me
I enjoyed it, but will I return? Who knows.
Kunne ikke finde på Spotify eller andre steder
3/5. A dark and quiet album that I think I would appreciate more if I forgot to take my anti-depressants this morning. The songwriting is strong, and the vocal delivery has a charm to it that works well here, but it wasn't exactly hitting all the parts I was hoping for. I think on a different day, I might appreciate this one a little more so I can't say I didn't enjoy it but I think it might require some more time. For now, it achieved its goal of making me sad so kudos for that. Best Song: A Minor Place, I See A Darkness, Today I Was an Evil One
Possibly the most depressing album I've ever heard. Someone with a voice that mournful shouldn't be singing unless accompanied by some upbeat music
We should check in on this guy. Seems like he's going through a rough patch
There were no standout tracks to me, but I didn’t mind as I listened. If I forget the whole album later, I feel like it has to be a 3. Not memorable for me in either direction
Well I don’t know if his lyrics were any good - I was too distracted by his terrible singing and the mediocre music. He could use a good vocal coach to cure him of really annoying vocals. Hope I never have to listen to that again.
beautifully bleak
I would add browns to this album art, visually I was swayed to expect something sonically darker. It's quite a beautiful listen, the darkness is hidden in the lyrics with a gloomy haze and empty spaces to let everything sink in. I would replay for the mood. Feels goth without being too punchy on the drums. 3.2/5
dark gothic folk. not bad.
Pretty boring but not dislikable. I guess.
Not bad, but I feel like it should have been more up my alley than it ultimately was.
I felt a darkness when this was playing boring one dimensional
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.
Another album that I think I would really enjoy if I was in the right mood for it.
I thought I was really going to enjoy this when the initial vocals hit but it was kind of a downer.
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
-another random album i knew absolutely nothing about and ended up being very fascinated by. there’s a lot of emotion and eclecticism in this one. i Felt Things while listening to it -it’s a deceptively digestible album but i still don’t think i’ve ever really heard anything like it -Favorites are Nomadic Revery (All Around), Another Day Full Of Dread, and Madeleine-Mary
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.
Reminded me of Jose gonzales in terms of a very simply written slightly lofi strummy guitar and voice record. Didn't quite charm me in the same way though yet I'll have to try again some time.
Dreadful. I most certainly did not need to hear this before I die, and often wished I WOULD die while listening to this depressing, droning slog. A generous 1.5 rounded up because at least I was able to finish it.
eh
Some lovely dark vibes; a true standout!
I quite liked this, especially “Death to Everyone” and may well return to this. Some of it passed me by but I was also a bit fed up working in the office and it was really hot which may have affected my mood! 🥵
Title track is great. Ads on youtube kind of ruined the mood. Potential to grow on me.
The album sounds very nice, and I like the instrumental, but every couple songs, the lyrics just sound so forced that I have a reaction to it. Similar to an edgy teenager trying to portray themselves as an outcast, or putting on a mask.
This was an interesting listen. I was really down when I put it on and that both helped and hurt the experience. I'll definitely return to it at least once and I bet theres some songs to take away.
Pure beauty! Man I Liked this!!!
Some very beautiful songs on this album. If I listened to this a few times I'm sure I would grow to love them.
Ni puta idea. Vamos a la aventura. Las canciones son buenas, pero la interpretación y la producción se empeñan en ser miedosas.
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.
Skupa s ranim place brothers/music albumima vrhunac oldhamove poetike
Really sad
A bit emo, but pretty good
Woof.
Album 858 of 1089 Bonnie "Prince" Billy - I See A Darkness (1999) Rating : 1.5 / 5 This one hit heavy and sad right from the start. It’s the kind of album that might resonate deeply if you’re already in a somber place—but if you’re not, tread carefully because it just might take you there. I can see where the artistry comes in, and maybe on another day I’d feel differently, but today it just wasn’t an enjoyable listen for me. There’s probably a right moment for this album—but for me, this wasn’t it.
This album isn't the most exciting thing in the world - I feel like this is the sorta album that would be helped with nice rain ambience behind it. It did help with with my studies though - so i'll give it that.
For an indie folk album, it is good, but nothing too special. Those who truly love this genre will appreciate it much more than I would.
Melancholic soft Rock.
Zzzzz zzzzz zzz zzzzzzz zzz.
Slow and mellow mood, but not my tempo.
Not a bad album by any means, just not for me. Doesn't sound like it's from the late nineties.
Pleasantly surprised by this
Just don't understand the hype. I just don't get it. Not terrible but not great, and not an album I would ever put on again.
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.
Pretty boring overall, but its fine. This album seems like one you have to be in a certain mood for.
Another one that I'm not buying as influential. And it will put you into a coma.
Another downer. I try to ignore lyrics but the tunes were so slow and low-key that it almost felt like spoken word. Nonetheless, I can see being mesmerized by this guy. I tracked down the Johnny Cash version of I See a Darkness (another reviewer sent me to the wrong album--it's American III) and the song did work better with a harmony.
Folky, chilled, but not the right vibe for spreadsheeting on a warm summers day. I shall return to this when it is more dreich
"A Minor Place" is a brilliant opening track.
3.36
Unavailable on Spotify
Loved the electric guitar and drums combo, very groovy BUT too slow/sad to be truly enjoyable
I appreciate the lofi vibe in general, but this doesn't go anywhere.
It was alright. The songwriting reminds me of Leonard Cohen, although his voice is very different. A melancholy ride that would probably hit the spot at times.
O álbum é cru e extremamente pessoal, a atmosfera é que você está frente a frente com Billie em um pub, bebendo um conhaque e crises existenciais aparecem em sua cabeça. O álbum é bom, mas o que faltou pra mim foi ser menos “cru” e com mais arranjos e produção. A ideia destoa do que eu senti falta, mas ao mesmo tempo entendo que a experiência poderia ser muito melhor (embora não foi ruim).
Better than Coldplay
Not for me
surprise sleeper hit. if only this was on spotify...
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
I liked this one. Folksy but kinda punk and weird at the same time.
Good album but I did not enjoy this as much as I thought I would. Vocals are overweighted in my mental review system. If the vocals are out of tune or the harmonies aren't great, it just ruins it for me. "A Minor Place" and a "Nomadic Revery (All Around)' set that tone. "I See A Darkness" redeems things a bit just in terms of its profound sadness. The whole album is sad. Well written songs though even if the execution was a spotty.
It’s ok, if a little bit too lo-fi at times. It’s pleasant but not amazing.
Everytime I started to think I liked this album I got bored again
Not terrible, but I just could not get into it.
I really enjoyed this, although the listening format of YouTube with frequent ads peppered in dampened the mood a little bit. I thought this might be a four star album, and then by about an hour or so later I couldn’t remember anything that stood out to me which dropped it down to a three. The experience at the time was good though.
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. :(
Un style qui me parle un peu moins, mais tout de même plutôt agréable. J'aime beaucoup l'aspect discordant de l'album, mais je suis très divisé sur la voix du chanteur. Parfois magnifique dans les envolées, mais lors des lenteurs, un peu trop lamentant à mon goût. Thème généralement très dépressif, mais le reste de la composition "sauve" le mood. Certaines chansons rafraîchissent l'écoute avec des montées de guitare et de clavier solides, ce qui met bien en contraste les pièces plus lentes. High point : Nomadic Revery
Country Elliot Smith, très touchant. Définitivement des réécoutes en vu
After only seeing the cover, the actual music gave me whiplash. Pretty album!
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.
This is the kind of album I should like. I wish I did. The title track is listenable but the rest is tied to a quiet plodding formula.
I think the artist needs a hug. He is going though some life changing shit with this album. It's not a bad album but I suspect it helps to be depressed to grasp everything in it.
A bunch of one liners on this album: "This is something to listen to on the way to an abortion" "This sounds like the National with a drinking problem" "This is for people who found 'Sophie's Choice' too uplifting" Yeah, this album was a bummer. I don't see a re-listen soon. Top Tracks: "A Minor Place," "Death to Everyone"
--A Minor Place...this is certainly a tone setter --Nomadic Revery...not sure I enjoyed this track but there's passion here. Sincerity --I See a Darkness...minimalist but deeply affecting. This guy doesn't have the best voice but he seems to "get it" --Another Day Full of Dread...I'm not into this one --Death to Everyone...a sad album suddenly turns sinister --Knockturne...a nice reprieve from the gloom --Madeleine-Mary...something different. I don't love it right now but something tells me I could learn to --Song for the New Breed...sounds similar to earlier songs but more sluggish --Today I Was an Evil One...meh --Black...straightforward folk. I like it a lot --Raining in Darling...feels like it's missing an ending
Challenging listen.
If decay had a soundtrack this could be it. Great album but you need to be in the right mood.
Moments of good neo-folk vibes but ultimately a snooze.
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.
Hmmm this is not on Spotify. I'll try YouTube I was kind of excited for this thinking that it was something gothic or dark. But it's not. I don't even know what I would classify this as. Yeah this is too slow and depressing 2 stars
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
a bit too downbeat but not bad 5/10
A real surprise, I absolutely loved this album
This is my second album in a row referring to "darkness". Again, is this a subtle way to be racist?
I like the album art. Who hurt you, bruh?
This album isn’t on spotify, and it doesn’t seem like the type of album where I want to put in the effort and listen to it elsewhere.
Seems to be the blueprint for all the singer/songwriters of the early to mid aughts.
Jammer dat deze niet meer volledig op spotify staat. Live versies zijn prima, maar niet ideaal. Dit album is normaal best een vibe.
Decent album. Good background music, but nothing special. I'm not sure what sets it apart and puts it on the list of 1,001 albums I need to listen to before I die though. Some good songs in here - and a fairly short album. Shame it wasn't available on Spotify - I would listen to some of the songs more if it was. With all that, I would say 3.
A bowl of Cheerios
Thought this was really good - would check more of his stuff out.
bored
Not my style.
I hear a very depressing album
London May! Kennt man Willow, Pine and Oak-heartbraking Einfach sooo schön!!!! Saaad
[2.5/5] Final impression: Sad and depressing type beat. Holds up fairly well, if thats the vibe you're looking for. Nothing too great. Listened to on Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78E0Gu3U1DI&list=OLAK5uy_m_OqnkSt68qy9R7vx7BkUnZPI4Z1zp3XI]. A Minor Place - Feels like this album might have aged well in terms of sound and tone. Nomadic Revery (All Around) - Not as good at the opening track. A bit too monotonous. I take it back the second half is making up for it. The instrumentals are pretty good. I See A Darkness - Subtle, slow, dark. Interesting. At times, barely more than a whisper. *Another Day Full Of Dread - Strongest track so far. Good cadence and beat to it. The interlude is sick. Death To Everyone - The instrumentals are kinda cool. I like this one. Probably second strongest track. Knockturne - This one's the roughest yet. We're at the saddest hour it seems. Madeleine-Mary - First song that doesn't feel depressing to listen to but the vocal style in it drives me up a wall. The instrumentals are solid but the vocals make it unlistenable. Song For The New Breed - Back to the standard droning sadness that defines this album. Starting to really wear. Today I Was An Evil One - Really don't like this one. Leaning more country, which I wasn't expecting for this album. Black - Generally fine. Raining In Darling - Not into this one. Overall notes: Man 1001 albums is not a list for someone who doesn't like folk and singer-songwriter. Really slow, melancholic, and sad which isn't the type of music I go for.
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.
Gentle singer-songwriter, conteplative-feeling
Couldn't find the album online but I found one of the songs and I thought it sounded relatively nice. 3/5
Standouts
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
Not on spotify. Weird album. Glad i listened to it
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.
Solid album but don't love that it was on YouTube Music where I had manually play every song. 6.7/10.
Starting on "A Minor Place" I had every hope for the album's potential to end up being great, then somewhere in the middle of "Today I Was an Evil One" I sort of understood the reality of all these albums I've never heard of before, and why they don't reach the sky-high heights they could for me. It was pleasant while I was listening but through that all, I could sense the aura of filler emanating from the song. This song would be there in line at Heaven's gates, watching A Minor Place be welcomed in, but when it was its own turn it would find itself denied entry. It would be thrown in the great pit of the lesser, more forgettable songs, to be lost to time as it faded from the memory of humanity. So basically this album is pretty cool with a few occasional parts that stand out especially
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.
Just not my thing. I suppose it has some musical merit, and some of the melodies are pretty, but everything just kind of ran together.
Another middle of the road album. Not bad, but it takes a certain mindset for it to be great.
I’m a fan of the lofi sound Bonnie “Prince” puts out.
First album of these I did not like. Enjoyment was limited. Not very interesting, only song that kept my interest was "Madeleine-Mary".
Songs to torn apart by an Appalachian cryptid to. God this was melancholic. Great stuff.
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
Not a good enough album to warrant me having to watch this on bloody YouTube. Had like 5 ads. Specific rating 1.8 Fav song- I see a darkness Least fav- death to everyone
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
For those days when you are just feeling to happy, this album exists to bring you down. Depressing, bleak, horrible voice. 1
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 my thing, and I found this album rather so-so. Oldham is much-beloved by the music press, so maybe I'm missing something.
“The most downer album possible” should not be a creative goal. “Madeline-Mary” is the only interesting song here; everything else is just a bummer with no nuance.
"I See A Darkness" is the sixth studio album by American musician Will Oldham and the first under the name Bonnie "Prince" Billy. Indie folk, gothic folk and country folk are the Wiki-listed genres. Yeah, put any word in front of folk and I'll agree. There were numerous musical guest appearance including Bob Arellano, Colin Gagon, Paul Oldham, David Pajo and Pete Townsend. The album had wide-spread critical acclaim. "A Minor Place" opens with a soft piano and drums. Nice vocal harmonization and very melancholic. Oldham wants to be in a place of less importance, not to be seen or heard. "Nomadic Revery (All Around)" adds a guitar to the drums. This album is really about the vocals. A backing vocalist adds to the drama as does a violin at the end. The narrator like to move around and that how he keeps it together. "I See A Darkness" starts out sparse with only Oldham's voice as he sings about depression and suicide. The song gains momentum with a guitar, piano and drums added. A chilling and gorgeous song. "Death to Everyone" adds a wah-wah guitar. The chilling backing vocals sound like children as it's stressed that death will come to everyone. A weird line saying that hosing is more fun if your know death is coming. Ah, hosing is having sex I believe, in this context. Horns are added to "Today I Was an Evil One" giving it a gospel, soulful vibe. His wife didn't like him going out getting drunk. The album does end on a happier note in "Raining in Darling." A short love song with soaring vocals. Love can save him. This is a very compelling album. The music is stark and sparse. The lyrics are very poetic and dark, if somewhat cryptic. Death turns him on and he's inspired by dread and amused by fear. Despite the darkness, there's a hopefulness in the music and the vocal tone with relationships and love. This is an album that you need to listen all the way through and are also very much rewarded with multiple plays. Highly recommended for anyone who likes folk and lyrically compelling music.
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.
Not on Spotify, I had to listen on YouTube. Great Lofi album.
This album definitely had a theme, and that theme was not inspirational or pleasant or soothing. It was definitely dark (I mean, there's a song called "Death To Everyone"), and I didn't think that gothic folk was an actual thing before. But I will give credit where it is due, because Bonnie "Prince" Billy definitely found and kept to a vibe. The lyrics packed a punch, but the vocals were mediocre. A different kind of album that maybe deserves to be here, but I was just kinda meh.
I was hoping that with the gothic overtones of the album title, song titles, and album cover, that this would be a hit for me. In reality, that was not quite the case. There were gothic soundscapes in this album, certainly, but overall it leaned more in an alternative folk direction than anything. This album certainly has a haunting aura about it, but again, it just didn't quite land with me as far as enjoyable music goes.
The most boring person you know is feeling sad and made an album.
I’ve never heard of this band before and I’m immediately sad because it instantly sounded like folksy modest mouse, which is something I didn’t know I needed. I have only heard the Johnny cash version “I see a darkness”, so that was a surprise that popped up. Overall, it was ok. Probably just not in the mood for it today. Has kind of a more folksy Elliot smith vibe. I would listen to this again if it comes along. Seems like good sad mood music.
Wasn’t on Spotify. Downbeat
horrible
Haunting music for loneliness and isolation. Very moving. Reminds me of the best work of Jason Molina (Magnoia Electric Co., etc.).
this is awesome. can't believe it's not on spotify
Think I need to listen much more to decide
Off key half spoken vocals, stream of the conscious lyrics set to moody music that doesn't really go anywhere. It's not the worst thing on this list but it does come across as lazy and couldn't be arsed and ultimately a bit of a waste of recording tape really.
Well well well aslighty overcast morning and soggy ceral reminds me of more cereberal times
Sits just the right side of the melancholy/miserable divide, worth seeking out
Enjoyable depressed folk indie, but I spent the whole time trying to remember the name of that song about someone thinking they saw Bonnie "Prince" Billy on a train. Googled it: Williamsburg Will Oldham Horror by Jeffrey Lewis
Found it quite drony and a bit too depressing. Maybe that was the point?
Some good moments.
3.4 2x solid album but didn't process all the lyrics (listened on youtube as spotify unavailable)
Probably need another but was good
It's ok, but boring. Very boring.
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.
I did not find a connection to this album. The songs sound ok, the singing is good, there is a dark, sad mood over everything. From that point of view it is good work. But still, it doesn't touch me.
Very endearing!
Okay album, a bit slow burn 3/5
depressing, boring, and not on Spotify so had ads between each song.
Will Oldham nailed it. Beautiful and haunting songs full of of feeling.
7/10
7.5
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.
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…
Overall: 6/10 I really like the lyrics for this one. There's an underlying sadness to every single song and it's obvious that the lyricist went through a lot of tragedy to be able to write like this. I found it to be a bit of a bore instrumentally though, and the urge to skip through a couple of tracks was strong. I still think it's a good album and worth checking out though. Fav Song: Another Day Full of Dread Least Fav Song: Knockturne
Not on Spotify. Use YT Music. Album is pure torture. Cringe lyrics. Dull music. Just absolute shite. Very "edgy 12 year old" It's almost a parody of itself, except it has zero self awareness. May trigger miasma.
Such Great Music, but SO slow and retrospective with lots of sad words. Maybe a 2.5
Whiny "Folk" BS.
If I'm in the mood for slow, sad music, this is as good an option as any. Simple and gloomy.
I liked it more after it listened to it. A really cool record with some deep lyrics and awesome spree instrumentation.
Zzzzz... *Snort* *Mumble* What was that? Oh, just another YouTube Ad... Zzzzz...
I’m sure this is situationally good to some. But no thanks. Vocals are rough, and the subject matter isn’t what I want to escape to when listening to music.
to me this was just ok. singing was kind of atonal for me (not necessarily a dealbreaker - i love bright eyes!) and instrumentation was very spare. maybe i needed to be more depressed listening to it lol
in the immortal words of marge simpson: kids, could you lighten up a little? this was dreary and bleak as one would expect, but i didn't really get the appeal beyond that. what sets this album apart from thousands of other sad albums from a troubled soul? i definitely liked the elliott smith entries in the list more than this. meh. favorites: a minor place, i see a darkness
Not for me, sorry
Never heard of this before. A sad alt album, but nothing extraordinary. Death to everyone reminded me of Thom Yorke
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
2,75
Meh. 2/5
Fun one. I'd love to revisit this.
I did not like this album on my first go, though I came around to it quite a bit on my second listen. I have a storied history of thinking that folk music is performative and a specific antonym of heteronormative, though I guess I can put this album down as one of the good ones. The biggest appeal of these kinds of albums are the lyrics, which is damning as I write about these albums while I'm listening to them and it's pretty goldarn hard for me to follow along with the ideas of these tunes while also attempting to form my own thoughts on them. Regardless, there seems to be quite a bit going on in these songs. I'll have to return to this album sometime in the future for a proper deep dive as this album has successfully piqued my interest. The second half of this album is much weaker than the first, which is unfortunate. None of the clever rhyming conventions, good songwriting choices or pleasing instrumentals are on that half of the album, which ultimately left me sitting on my hands and twidling my thumbs at the same time no less. It's possible that I could come around to those cuts on future listens. I quite like the vocals, though I just know that they're gonna be a polariser to the listeners of this list. They're very good at holding my attention and the way that they're paired with the minimal, stripped-back instrumentals works very well on a thematic level. They sound very "warm", which contrasts nicely with the cold darkness that is the instrumentals and lyrics.
judged a book by its cover for sure! wasn't too bad
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.
It was ok, but nothing crazy.
Meh
Has that cult hit vibe.
How did I miss this one? Cool songs, great lyrics, melodic and playful. I will return to this one.
“The tracks on this release this release are not available.” Fuck you, Spotify! I listened to his newest album, The Purple Bird, instead. It’s quite good! Is he always playing countrified folk? Guess I’ll have to listen more.
Very bland
6/10 - it was a strange album but not my cup of tea
This was actually quite good. Seems like something Matty p might like if he were still doing this
Pretty decent
Moody but not necessarily dark. The way it ends.. I wasn't really sure what to do with myself afterwards. Recommended for quite parts of road trips, early morning near water/ open space, or misty afternoons with a chance of sunshine.
very slow and monotone ish
sopresón, del goth al folk, de post al americana. todo
It is a slow album. Guitar threaded drums with brushes vocals intimate in style and confessional. It is dark and unleavened. Not an album to have on continual rotation but an interesting and important album in content and style.
I understand the appeal but wouldn’t revisit
Stripped down musical arrangements, emotional vocals. Great album
01) A Minor Place - 8,0 02) Nomadic Revery (All Around) - 7,0 03) I See a Darkness - 8,0 04) Another Day Full of Dread - 7,0 05) Death to Everyone - 8,0 06) Knockturne - 7,5 07) Madeleine-Mary - 7,5 08) Song for the New Breed - 7,0 09) Today I Was an Evil One - 6,5 10) Black - 6,5 11) Raining in Darling - 6,5 TOTAL: 7,23 (72/100) Current ranking: 294/532
I give this a P for pfft. Even the Wikipedia article strongly suggests it sucks. And listening to it it’s right. Tosh. Crap. Garbage.
Fuck me, that is bleak. Please don't make me listen to that again.
i dont care about country
Feels like a treasure I found just for me.
Soft ass singer/songwriter alt country. I liked it
Finding I See A Darkness on YouTube after its Spotify absence felt like a chore, and forty minutes of self-indulgence isn’t my idea of fun. Though I like slow, sad music, this lacked depth, more like a rambling street performer mumbling over an out-of-tune guitar, heavy bass, and chaotic harmonies. The title track and “Death to Everyone” might suit Johnny Cash, but overall it’s a tedious, atmospheric indie minimalism that feels like a depressing waste of time... One I'll skip.
Tough rating for this - torn between 3 and 4, but rounding down.
Nope…
Correcto
Not your usual album. A bit of country, soft rock and a folk coming together for some good tracks and some boring songs. It was quite hard to gauge if I liked Will's vocal or style, mostly because every song seemed to be totally different. "Death to Everyone" was clearly the best track on the record, you could feel a gothic influence on it, but this style wasn't replicated anywhere else. Slightly disappointing album, just because you could feel the potential for more.
exceptionally solid. quite dreary. would sound awesome if i lived in the outskirts of seattle and i was depressed.
Death to Everyone is probably the highlight for me. There’s something about its rawness that cuts through. But man, a lot of this album is a tough listen. The lyrics are bleak, poetic, and clearly coming from a deep place, but the delivery just doesn’t land for me. It feels like the emotion is buried under a presentation that’s a little too mumbly and muted. You can tell it’s heartfelt, maybe even cathartic, but I couldn’t help thinking... I hope his friends checked in on him after hearing this.
4/17/25. My first time listening to Prince Billy. Enjoyed his unique style and songwriting, would put it in the gothic/folk acoustic territory. Will give this one another listen.
Why ?
This predates the sadboy indie neofolk craze by a decade or two. I’ve been to countless Seattle open mics where ten guys who sound exactly like this are all trying to fuck the barista. Extremely meh.
This album saved my life.
I know I should like this album more than I do, but I don’t.
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
I was very bored by “I See A Darkness” until “Death to Everyone” finally got me into the vibe. Couldn’t quite keep it up though.
Well that was sad. Not the thing to listen to whilst taking a walk on a beautiful, sunny spring day full of new life.
Laid back and engaging. The somber mood drew me in.
I think I might begin to like this as time goes by and I’ve listened to it some more. I had never heard of him before, but I really find his music quite interesting
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.
Didn't really get it back then and I gotta say I still don't really get it.
Very unimpressed.
Really nothing Bonnie about this album, just dreary and slow music with bleak lyrics. Not for me!
Spotify does not have access to these tracks, but I listened to anorther album from about the same time and I can say I rather like his sound. So, for lack of data, I'll give this a three.
Overrated whiny white boy bullshit. More sea shanty than anything else. Hard pass. Doesn’t belong on this list.
I feel like I have heard an album like this a hundred times and forgotten it a hundred times too.
interesting songs but not very captivating. singing in harmony is often nice.
Why is this not on spotify
Persistent sadness or low mood. Loss of interest or pleasure in most activities. Changes in appetite or weight. Sleep disturbances (insomnia or excessive sleeping). Fatigue or loss of energy. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt. Difficulty concentrating or making decisions. Thoughts of death or suicide.
blew my head off. Absolutely loved this, and had never heard it before. Big 5 fat ones
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
Had to listen on YouTube. Grow up and put your album on Spotify like everyone else
2.5
It a fan very boring
Boring.
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 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.
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.
Dudes will secure a record deal and record a gloomy album instead of going to therapy.
I wish I could say I got more out of this personally, but for me it was just a bit too downtrodden/mellow, even at its high points. Not that this record is bad, I’m grateful this list included it, as it’s sooo outside of my realm of music. Just not my taste. My favorite is probably “Death To Everyone” for its measured perspective on life. Really hard to listen to something this smooth/tame when that new Skrillex album is lighting up my world rn. A respectful, I’ll never listen to it again 3/5 stars.
Burde sikkert egentlig gitt da 2, men e visst litt i godlaget i dag
вайб присутствует, классный меланхоличный вокал и подходящий, приглушенный инструментал делает альбом идеальным для того, чтобы пойти нахуй и не выебываться,однообразно сука, 3/5.
Not on Spotify.
Wijs album, al zou ik het niet altijd opzetten (los van het feit dat het niet op Spotify staat). Donker en breekbaar en wat mysterieus ook. 3.2
wow. you really need to be in the mood for this one. it’s unrelenting in its sense of loneliness. i don’t expect to enjoy every record but i have no desire to listen to this one again.
Before that, I only knew one song
Admittedly I'm not the world's biggest Bonnie Prince Billy fan, but this is one of his better albums.
Not on spotify.
I thought it started strong, then about a third the way in it sounded the same. Not bad, but likely would not seek it out to listen again.
I found his voice to sound like Third Eye Blind’s lead singer. It was melancholic the entire way which is good in the sense that the same theme was stuck to in this album.
What the heck was this old fart doing. He keeps wavering back and forth on whether or not he wants to actually try to sing or just kinda moan out random words. Instrumentally it's incredibly boring. Also the out of sync backing vocals on some of the songs is just painful not artistic. Just bleh.
not familiar w/him at all. interesting lyrics....dark & melancholy for sure. music was nice, but his voice is a bit annoying. would never seek out to listen to again
One of myall time favourites. Will Oldham is a genius
Maybe I’d listen again if it was on Spotify , but it isn’t so I won’t. Welcome to 2025
Highlights: Death To Everyone, Madeleine-Mary. In a nutshell: folk-emo Don’t know why but these songs remind me of Jeff Tweedy, but mournful. Earnest. I wonder if Bonnie “Prince” Billy was the muse of Bon Iver and Father John Misty, because his arrangements are reminiscent of early works of the aforementioned. Overall: 6/10
2,5
Soothing very calming songs. Really calming music
I quite enjoyed this one! Would listen again, nice chilled indie-ish guitar stuff