Reviews (page 4 of 7)
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
Decent album. Kind of angsty and understated
This was fine but I felt by the end it was a little dreary! A lot of the songs sounded similar. I didn't hate it though, definite elements I enjoyed. But would I go back for more? Probably not... Sorry BPB
I really enjoyed this. It's a real shame this isn't on spotify because I'd definitely listen a few more times. It was dark. Reminded me of Leonard Cohen in places. Good stuff.
I had never listened to a Bonnie "Prince" Billy track before, so I went into I See a Darkness with an open mind. In short, this album is dark and moody — but ultimately quite boring. I struggled to find much I enjoyed and wouldn’t revisit it. It felt like Nirvana without the bite and anger, leaving it flat and unmemorable. Favorite song: I thought Death to Everyone was a nice track. Least favorite: Honestly, the whole album felt dull. Album artwork: The cover is pretty cool, though.
Beautiful sad songs that wash over me a bit. Gotta be in the mood.
Dark and broody but nothing of substance except I See a Darkness.
Not bad, but not interesting.
Nice dark indie
Quite liked this one but suspect the situation and mood when playing it may make a difference. Quite liked the more upbeat later re-recorded version of the title track but alas that wasn’t on the album.
This one never got out of first gear. I quite liked his voice but can’t find anything else positive to say.
Simple, intimate and dark. On a cold rainy morning, when the kids have annoyed you on the school run, I found this album quite comforting. By some irony I really loved the track ‘death to everyone’, but not from a literal sense (to clarify, I love my kids). High 3.
Unique and enjoyable. Some great depth throughout.
Not one for me
Haha, I don't know 😅 I saw someone comment that you need to be in a particular mood to enjoy this. I don't know if I've ever been in that mood. I appreciate that someone's exploring or expressing material addressing or suitable to that mood though. I'm going to try my best to stay away from that mood though. It was really down there.
Good album. Standout songs: A Minor Place Madeleine Mary Today Was an Evil One
Could work as slow music for porch sitting, but still unremarkable. If it started looping I probably wouldn't notice
Had high hopes for this, but it quickly became an annoying buzz.
I think there’s some solid songwriting in here but I just couldn’t get into it even after three listens. At worst it’s fairly ordinary folky singer-songwriter fare but I can see how it would be more than that to some people. Just didn’t get there myself.
The album cover put me off - I thought Bonny Billy must be another heavy metal headbanger band. So I was pleasantly surprised when the music began. I thought maybe even a 4, but then it turned out Billy was another kind of headbanger, the melancholic rather than the angry sort, so it dropped to 3. Then to 2 as it got very samey. I don't need this stuff. Maybe it appeals to young men?
I apprecite the good songwriting, and I like folk/indie, though overall it wasn't very memorable at my first listen or just I wasn't into the mood for it today. 3 stars now.
This is one of those albums whose fragile beauty really depends on how you are already feeling going into it. Today it wasn't for me. Different time and place, perhaps.
Pretty meh
Questo è per non essere su Spotify
Ok yes I get it
Not on the Spotify. played while bonking things with a brick
Either he's too depressed or I'm too depressed. Maybe both. Regardless I can't stomach this.
These tracks gave me the feels. Oldham certainly knows how to embed emotion into his melodies. The album was fine. Not too long. A good sequencing. No tracks pop off the listing other than Today I Was An Evil One. Sonically, this reminded me of Modest Mouse with less Rock influence
Nice listen in the vein of Bill Callahan. A little dark and dull at times, but happy to have heard it.
Mornful, sucks that this isn't on spotify because I will probably forget about it.
This is an artist whose name I've only seen, and I had no idea what to expect sonically. I loved it, understated but cohesive, unlike some lo-fi, pared back folk. Reading more about Will Oldham, I guess he was and is super involved with artists I love (and their legacies) like David Berman and Jason Molina (RIP both), so I probably should have listened to this earlier. They all have a shared sensibility I deeply relate to. The fact that people are rating this harshly because it's not available on Spotify... come on. Get real.
Really solid folk album
I LOVE IT SM!!! i couldnt find it on spotify but i listened to it from yt music AND IT IS GOOD. especially the first 5 songs. i will probably listen to it later too.
not on spotify also werd i's eh nie hören
Wow, this is excellent. This is exactly the sort of somber, moody stuff that I often find myself inexplicably craving. I’d heard of Bonnie “Prince” Billy from his association with Joanna Newsom, but this was the first time I’d listened to his music. Favorites: I See A Darkness, Another Day Full of Dread, Madeleine-Mary, Black 4.5 rounded up
Based on the album cover the music was not what I was expecting. Was seriously impressed by this album. I wish it was available on streaming services so I could give it a more thorough review, but youtube adverts make me wanna throw myself out the window. I'll give a 4.
This was interesting. Never listened to them before, I’d be open to listening to more.
Man, this is a different one. Have you ever had someone sing to you? Not at you, like a busker. Not like at a concert, that's for everyone. TO YOU. Like they're sitting with you in your bedroom, and they tell you they had been working on this song for a couple of weeks, and they want to know what you think about it. But, magically, accompanying instruments start playing in the other room. That's what this is. It's incredibly intimate. And you're a little sadder when it's over, and that's okay. It's beautiful and delicate and melancholy and deep, all at once. And I'm a better person for having heard it. My Rating: 5/5
I need a Prozac/Zolaft cocktail after that album. I get it death is the only inevitable and if we focus on that too much this is what happens. There are some musically good points like Madeline-Mary and some of the back half songs. But the overwhelming sadness and depression is just too much for me to feel great about this album.
I like his voice and the simplicity of what he's doing and also appreciate the layers he builds into the tracks. It grew on me a little as the album went on, and I found the later songs to be more palatable than the earlier part of the album. I do prefer songs about death and sadness to be a tad more upbeat though. I'd have to be in a rather dark emotional state to want to listen to this again.
Was not in spotify
Spare, moody, dirge-like. "A Minor Place" is great. Title cut, too (was good enough for Johny Cash!) Perhaps there was room for a few more bells and whistles, but hard to deny the power of simplicity and authenticity of the emotion. "Death to Everyone" is strong, too, getting right to the point, but it also has a sense of humor about it, which one likes. The closer is a fitting and coherent end. This is very much the kind of thing one likes if one like this kind of thing, which one very much does.
I think music is at its best when it makes the listener feel what the artist was feeling when they wrote it. That transfer of emotion, of humanity, is what makes music an art form. I am now depressed after having listened to this album.
Kiedys to dosc lubilem. Lipa nie ma na spotify, co to sie odwala. Troche zamula
I had just gotten bad news before listening to this, so this album felt very therapeutic.
Not on Spotify Tracks not available on Spotify
When I tried to listen to this on Spotify all of the songs were blacked out?? So I had to listen to it song by song on Youtube. I really liked "A Minor Place" but the rest of the album was okay. Nothing really memorable other than that one song.
Soooooo goooood!
Monotonous, unremarkable, depressing
Cryptic, melancholy, minor key and minor attitude with a lack of aptitude. Mostly this music allows me to harness my internal pain and allow it to flow with the music. But this stripped down out of tune and off tempo depression circle jerk ended up coming off more like an open mic performance. Which I guess is cool if you like that kinda thing. But, if you really wanna get your sadness on try Pacific Ocean Blue by Dennis Wilson.
Sad boi folk. Rather enjoyable.
interesting. might grown on me in the future. Highlights include: "I See A Darkness" "Another Day Full Of Dread" "Death to Everyone" "Madeleine-Mary"
Weepy and boring. I could get behind the atmosphere of this, but no compelling songs or performances. Best song: Madeleine-Mary?
Dude singing sad songs with a guitar - sign me up. I was into the Gothic Neil Young-esque tunes. The one criticism I have is that the album was all one note - no joy to be found.
Much more interestingly pleasant and melodic than I expected by the name of the album and songs. Moody but peaceful with lyrics to match. Might not be good if it doesn’t match your mood at the time but great when it does.