Bryter Layter

Two days in a row I've gotten a Nick Drake album. In fact, I have been given his entire catalog (it's sadly only three albums) in just over a week. I'm not mad about this. If anything, it's solidified the fact that Nick Drake was absolutely one of the greatest songwriters to ever live. This album was my least favorite of the three but it was still amazing. It perfectly expresses Drake's struggles with depression without being dark. It's a perfect picture of depression, honestly. It just IS without being a whole dramatic deal. The production is more involved on this album than on the one before and the one after and that detracts from the power of the songs, in my opinion. It's a testament to how damn good these songs are that the album still receives full marks from me.

I’m aware that Nick Drake felt the sounds of Bryter Layter were too full, but it’s my favorite of his three albums. Pink Moon occupies a sort of singular space for the sounds he was able to create, but this album takes what was truly great about Five Leaves Left and elevates it with compositions that compliment Drake’s forlorn voice and searching lyrics. I love this album. 9.5/10.

A depressed man sings 7 in-differentiable sounding melancholic, nostalgic songs (plus 3 instrumentals) while strumming an acoustic guitar to a pretty but generic easy-listening background.

Such beautiful melancholy music. Such a talent. So sad what a troubled life he led and how little recognition he received during his lifetime

This shit boring. Like coffe shop music but not a Starbucks. like a cofee shop the clientele would go to purely cause it’s not a Starbucks

Dude made some of the best folk music ever. RIP

Some of these songs sound like the ones on Sesame Street when they were all, "Look, here's some happy penguins." This album is delicious. I love Nick Drake.

Reading up on this I was surprised that I hadn't previously known of the familiar faces doing backing instrumentals... Good but I think Five Leaves Left and Pink Moon surpass this one.

In terms of pure folk beauty, the high points on this album are about as good as it gets. Overall, it’s a little inconsistent - but when it hits its peaks - damn.

I like all three of his albums, but haven't listened for a couple years. I remember the debut one best, which has a '60s folky sound turned melancholy. This one has some more upbeat stuff, but Drake's distinctive vocals give it all an edge of darkness. The music is great, and his lyrics so striking. His voice isn't technically great, but spot-on for the art he created. I can't think of anything I would change, and the album realises Drake's peculiar vision.

i have the fattiest crush on this mystical man and all the sweet sounds he makes.

My cohorts, a quick check of my earlier reviews will reveal that I gave a shiny 5 stars to Nick Drake first album, Five Leaves Left. Here, we have poor Nick's second album, Bryter Layter. Out of the classic Nick Drake trilogy, Bryter Layter is the one I listened to the most infrequently. Don't misunderstand me, I didn't consider it in any way a bad album, but the outright prettiness of Five Leaves Later and the starkness of Pink Moon meant they were the ones that hypnotised me. So in my head, Bryter Layter became the slightly impoverished relative by default. This was of course imbecilic of me. Bryter Layter continues Nick Drake's faultless track record whilst remaining particular to itself. Bryter Layter is in no way a rehash of Five Leaves Left, but instead shows dear Nick developing his style by exploring new musical vistas. Now, Bryter Layter is not as musically eclectic as Five Leaves Left, but that is not to its detriment. To say that Bryter Layter is more coherent is not the right term, but its consonance definitely stands out as a progression from Five Leaves Later. Lyrically, we have still the gentle sadness laying foggily over the music. Bryter Layter does not evoke death as Five Leaves Left does, nor is it as raw as Pink Moon, so we have the paradox that the listener feels Bryter Layter to be Nick Drake's healthiest record, despite the album's loneliness and remorse. Also, note that several songs concern love, albeit love tinged with inexact regret. A more remarkable addition to sweet Nick's arsenal is humour. In One of These Things First, a paean to a lost love, he lists the choices he could have pursued, how he could have been a sailor or a cook. But then he muses that he could have been a signpost or a whistle. Since this is Nick Drake, the absurdity is understated, but it is still there. Finally, in perhaps the album's best song, Northern Sky, we have one of the rarest and most precious qualities in a Nick Drake song: hope. Is Bryter Layter an anomaly in the Nick Drake canon? No, that's far too strong a reading. But it does partially dispel the notion that all his work was written under the gaze of the black-eyed dog. A wonderful record that entices the listener to luxuriate in its nuances.

Yeah it's Bryter Layter, five stars. Some notes though. Belle and Sebastian seem to have pinched their template from a couple of tracks here, Hazey Jane II and suchlike. Love the soulful jazz of Poor Boy as it gently soars. One of These Things First and Northern Sky are particularly excellent. Some of the rest feels a little twee at times but seems to somehow stay on the right side and remains delightful, instrumentals included. Always a great listen.

4 Towards the end of college I got really into Elliott Smith, an artist who is often compared to Nick Drake. Despite having active careers nearly 25 years apart from one another, both were known for their soft singing voices and acoustic playing style, their struggles with depression and mental health, and ultimately leaving this world far too soon. So, fascinated by the parallels, I binged all three of Nick Drake’s albums in one day, and while I really liked what I heard, at the time, Bryter Layter stood out to me the least. I didn’t re-visit the album again until about a year ago, when the usage of the song Fly stuck out to me in a viewing of The Royal Tenenbaums (coincidentally, Elliott Smith also has a song in the movie). I still didn’t love the album, but Fly became a part of my regular musical rotation. Listening to it now, I stand by my longstanding sentiment that this is not his best album, but to say it’s bad by any means would be flat out wrong. My only major criticism is its overproduction - as Pink Moon would later show, Drake was at his best with just his guitar, voice, and raw emotion alone. I don’t think the production here is necessarily bad, because when it works, it works - case in point being Fly and Northern Sky, songs elevated to transfixing highs with their touch of accompaniment, but when it doesn’t, it doesn’t, and we get elevator sounding music like Poor Boy. Compared to Five Leaves Left, this one feels a bit like one step up, two steps back. Really struggled with my rating for this one. I know I just gave quite a bit of criticism, but I do think this is a very good album despite its faults. I had 3.5 originally, but I went back to look at my other 3.5s and I just can’t help but feel it’s a step above them. So, 4 it is - the guy seriously did not release a bad album, and I can’t understate how immensely sad it is that he didn't get to see any of his success during his lifetime. Anyway, shoutout to The Royal Tenenbaums for getting me into Fly - pretty overrated movie, but the soundtrack is fire. The scene with Judy is a Punk by The Ramones is also absolutely 10/10.

Gentle folky music with a bit of a jazzy, funky influence. It sounds like a bit of an odd combo, but it works surprisingly well. The fact that it's so relaxed means that I think it would work well as background music in a coffee shop, but I can't imagine somebody saying "Bryter Layter is my favorite album".

It was ok. I listened to it yesterday and really cant recall a single thing about it so that should say a lot. I would have remembered if it was bad though.

Was never really a fan of country, but it was pretty alright as far as it goes.

I love that Hazey Jane II came before Hazey Jane I. See, you don’t wanna get mixed up with a guy like Nick. He’s a loner, Dottie. A rebel. I've never been a fan of his vocals. I can never put a finger on why I don't really like Nick Drake, but I always come back to that. I enjoyed a few tracks but overall it's just not my thing.

“One of these things” sounded like a collaboration with Dr Suess. But did like Northern Sky. Blake was the one kid in English class that fist pumped when the teacher said”Today is learning poetry day” while the other 25 booed😣

not another nick drake

it was fine.

Definitely not feeling this, but if you’re in to that late 60s early 70s sound, go for it…

Gone way too soon, Nick Drake had a well-balanced talent that most singer-songwriters do not. He was a musician who knew how to put words to music, and equally put music to words. Many singer-songwriters tend to lean heavily in either direction relying on musicians to put music to mindless drivel (e.g. Suzanne Vega) or putting less than on par words on to otherwise really great music (e.g. Tom Waits). Nick Drake does so well at both, that the listener wants to hear both giving neither favor over the other, hard-pressed to find fault with the lyricist and musician. Nick Drake was truly special and his talent is sorely missed.

The opening is regal with the strings and acoustic. A lush, calm, and exquisite entrance. Second track definitely feels like Drake songs I know, sets a quickened pace and we are off. I love the sax in Chimes of a City Clock, a track I've loved a long time. It is a very mature sound far from the reckless abandon of 80's sax. Perfectly understated and not saccharin. I'm sure I am not alone in thinking that 'Fly' is superb. I feel the early notes of 'Poor Boy' are the weakest section of the album, the melody getting lost a bit with over-complex transitions. The angelic background singing pulls it all back together, however, and then this triumph rises to a completely harmonized sonic tunnel that gives way to a just slightly dirtier sax outburst and I'm all in! Northern Sky is excellent and an all time favorite. The album ends on a low note for me as it barely averts drifting into 70's schmaltz.

This is the second-best of Nick Drake's albums - the best being Pink Moon. If you've never heard. Nick Drake before, it's jaw droppingly good. Beautiful melodies, completely original guitar style, softly understated vocals all add up to wonderful songs. John Martyn fans will particularly love Nick Drake - they were friends and were on the same record label. Solid Air was written about him. Both turned out to be tragic figures and Nick Drake's story is especially sad. The cover photo on this album is hugely evocative - you can almost feel the pain and his internal struggle.

I’ve mentioned this a few times in my reviews, but 1970s singer-songwriter albums have been tending to suit my tastes a lot. The only artist where this wasn’t the case was interestingly Bob Dylan, but I’m still excited to listen to today’s album - I don’t think I’ve heard of Nick Drake before today. Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Hazey Jane 2, Northern Sky, Sunday This album was frankly phenomenal. It isn’t exactly minimalistic like some other similar artists from the same era, as there are plenty of instruments playing at any time. Nick Drake’s voice (to use a phrase I possibly might overuse) what buttery smooth throughout. I loved his voice so much, that I felt sad at the end because I wanted more. And when the only criticism I have is that I wish the album was longer, despite it being a very normal length, it’s fair to say that this album was pretty much perfect.

Incredibly beautiful album, it is very introspective and vulnerable. It has a healing quality which only someone who is very introspective can achieve. I hope one day I can write music as beautiful as Nick Drake. Rest in Peace. I will definetly listen to it again. Favorite tracks are At the Chime of a City Clock and Sunday. 5/5

Northern Sky is one of the best songs ever made.

What an amazing and epic album... Wanted to read about him and saw that he died aged 26 from an overdose...What a tragic story of talented young man... Some interesting facts: There is no known video footage of the adult Drake; he was only ever captured in still photographs and in home footage from his childhood. During the early hours of 25 November 1974, Drake died at his home from an overdose of amitriptyline, an antidepressant. He had gone to bed early after spending the afternoon visiting a friend. His mother said that around dawn he left his room for the kitchen. His family had heard him do this many times before, and presumed he was eating cereal. He returned to his room a short while later, and took some amitriptyline. Whether his death was an accident or suicide has not been resolved The grave where Drake's ashes are buried with those of his parents. The gravestone is inscribed with the epitaph "Now we rise / And we are everywhere", taken from the lyrics of "From the Morning", the final song on Drake's final album, Pink Moon.

Wow what a beautiful album. The song writing is incredible. Really amazing, emotional and heartfelt songs. I haven’t heard it before but really enjoyed it. My favourite track is Hazy Jane Part I, but they could all be

I love Nick Drake's music. So sad that he died so young.

All Nick Drake’s out is magnificent and this is no exception. Stunning album.

i actually really love this album! i had never heard it before this, and now i'm kind of glad i found it. it's acoustic coffee shop jazz, and reminds me of margo guryan, vashti bunyan, laura nyro and the velvet underground. it's a very casual, listenable album that you could throw on while cooking or drawing or something like that. i really like music like this, and it hit the right spot for me. i definitely see myself listening to this more often :)

Good

This was just lovely. It helped that I was in the most calm, serene, open and receptive place I could be. The music came in, languished and was received with understanding. The sad juxtaposition of a troubled existence exhibiting beautiful craftsmanship. Northern Sky is a dreamy classic.

Gorgeous album. Beautiful acoustic guitar arrangements and the vocals are haunting. Captures an amazing mood. 10/10

Nick Drake impresses me more and more as I delve further back in his repertoire.

What a great record. I did not emojis pink moon that much but this is so good.

Great background noise!

Production: 17/20 Songwriting: 17/20 Innovation: 15/20 Bangers: 10/20 Emotional response: 17/20 =76 Awwww just lovely. Quack.

He was such a unique talent. His songs are of timeless beauty.

Such sparkling instrumentation, and such deep sadness. Another fine effort from Drake.

Another great example of why I'm digging this 1001 project. I first heard Nick Drake from that Volkswagen commercial and always meant to hear more from him and never got around to checking him out. Now I'm committed to listen to his catalog. I played this a couple times this weekend and each time it was the perfect soundtrack to what I was doing. Easy, spacey, and just so nice. I'm a fan!

Really good album, better than the other Nick Drake I’ve had. Such a wonderfully peaceful style, enjoyed it a lot. 4/5

Really enjoyed the britfolk and the ensembles. Great album. Will listen again and put songs on playlists

It’s probably just because I’m so used to the sparse arrangements on Pink Moon from years of listening, but I’ve always felt that Nick Drake’s music works best in a more stripped back form. Not to say the arrangements on Bryter Layter are ill fitting or that this is by any means a bad record, only that the simplicity on Pink Moon suits Nick Drake (or at least my impression of him) better than the busy orchestration here, which dates the record just a little bit in spots.

4.5. No half stars on here apparently. This is my first day of the 1001 greatest albums. I had never heard of Nick Drake or Bryter Layter before today, but i absolutely loved this album. The soft yet striking vocals and instrumentals really hit me. My favorite track was Hazey Jane I. I’ll be back tomorrow 🫡

I have loved the song “Northern Sky” for years and I was happy to see I knew that and another song on this album. It was pleasant listening, features an unexpected amount of flute.

(the website's wrong this was released March 1971 not 1970) Few people were as influential while being commercially this unsuccessful but Nick Drake's lyricism and the way he wrote his songs influenced many people like Robert Smith from The Cure. This particular album (his 2nd) was a continuation of the Chamber Folk style that his debut started with but adds a more Jazz-inspired sound to the very Folky and Singer-Songwriter style. It also features artists like John Cale from the Velvet Underground and a couple of musicians that worked for Fairport Convention, The Beach Boys or Jethro Tull. While it isn't his best, it still has a lot of great moments that make this an incredible listen through and through. A little 'Introduction' introduces the album with a short instrumental Chamber Folk piece that shows the mix between the acoustic guitar with the Baroque Pop inspired strings (or other instruments) to create a warm and pastoral feeling. The first "actual" song, 'Hazey Jane II' which now adds Nick Drake's vocals and lyrics and of course it makes the whole thing better. It is an upbeat and lovely arranged Folk song with a lush and soft sound. It flows really well and the way it builds up to the guitar bridge in the second half is really great with the dynamics. A great song even if I much prefer what Nick did after this album with a nearly all-acoustic Folk. His soothing voice works well with the Jazz inspired rhytmn section/saxophone on 'At the Chime of a City Clock'. The whole song simply works. It is a combination of styles that fit not only this song but Nick Drake's whole musical style at that point so well. The slower and more sentimental approach is what he can do best and of course this song does that in a phenomenal way. 'One of These Things First' comes closest to the style that I love with Nick Drake so much. It focuses on his lyrics with not much arrangements arround it except the guitar. This feels much more stripped down from what most the album features. No strings, no horns, no brass, just guitar, drums, piano and bass. It is a perfect song through and through, I absolutely love it. The delivery is just a perfect mix between warm and soothing and sentimental and poetic. The second, or better first part of 'Hazey Jane'', 'Hazey Jane I' closes the albums first half. It is a more melancholic version of the one at the start with more alienated lyrics and arrangements. Its guitar sticks out much more and the strings move more into the back. I really enjoy the arrangements here more than on 'II' but the song does have some unfitting nuances that slightly harm the enjoyment. I overall think they are pretty equal in how good they are, I personally would prefer this version if I had to choose. On Side 2 we are met with the title track 'Bryter Layter'. It's an easy listen with a relaxed sound to it that gives off a very Lounge sounding feeling. It's also fully instrumental with just some flutes that break the steady arrangements. It's a cute song but I am not too fond of it or its sound. The lyrics return on 'Fly' and while it is pretty good, it doesn't feel really fitting here. It isn't really interesting or has anything to kind of grab onto, not even the lyrics or the performance of them. It all just kind of sits there, waiting to be turned into something great but looses me way to fast. While the Jazz before mainly came from the drums, 'Poor Boy' is a whole Bossa-nova song with some Folk mixed into. It's also the longest song here with over 6 minutes. I really like the style in which it was made. It's so groovy and full of energy but relaxed and laid back at the same time. It fits Nick Drake and the album in a way it shouldn't but ends up still doing. The keys, the backing vocals, the saxophone, it all fits the song and turns it into one of the best songs on the album. Most people say 'Northern Sky' is the albums true highlight and many people say it's one of the best songs in Nick Drakes whole career. I absolutely understand both opinions. It is a beautiful song that accumulates the influences of what the album had to offer thus far and combines it with melancholic lyrics with very tragic sounding arrangements. It is a perfect song without a doubt and maybe the best song here. And I see this as a Top 15 Nick Drake song but not much higher, if you asked me. The album ends with the last of the three instrumentals. 'Sunday' is a more lonely and melancholic sounding one compared to most of the instrumentals. The strings add a finishing touch to the finishing song and it is probably also the best of the instrumentals as well as a great closing track to the album. favourites: One of These Things First, Northern Sky, Poor Boy, Hazey Jane I least favourites: Bryter Layter, Fly Rating: light to decent 8 https://rateyourmusic.com/~Emil_ph for more ratings, reviews and takes

Not my favorite flavor of Nick Drake, but useful from a completist perspective.

It is a good album. I enjoyed quite a bit of it. Folks music though is generally not for me

1. intro - 1 2. hazey jane - 1 3. at the chime - 1.5 4. one of theze thingz - 2 5. hazey jane 2 - 1.5 6. bryter layter - 1 7. fly - 1 8. poor boy - 1 9. northern zky - 1.5 10. zunday - 2

fine?

Nice. So laid back. He never sings with any energy; it’s like he’s not sure he has a good voice and so he delivers tentatively. But he does have a decent voice and the songs are pleasant. His guitar playing is good and the backup musicians are good. I’ve never heard Mr. Drake before - but I certainly might listen again.

It's hard to imagine a better set of music in this genre. It isn't exactly my speed, at least at the beginning, but the execution captured me. It's human-scale music that reaches the infinite. The guitar operates as the heartbeat of the album, leaving space for jazzy elements which peak on Fly and Poor Boy.

Pretty cool really like northern sky

So perfect for what i needed

Beautiful album, and I’d never heard of him before. Short, tragic life. Music that is ahead of his time. Some bossa nova influences

One of my favourite albums that I don’t listen to enough. Every time I do put it on I wonder why that is. Maybe it’s a time and place sort of album? I remember it being one I’d listen to on long bus journeys through South America and it was perfect. Whilst walking through rush hour London, not so much. Anyway, such a rich album of sounds and melodies and his voice is so nice to just sit back and enjoy. A five star album if ever there was one.

Love this one

Great way to start the week.

These are all gonna be 5 stars

love it

YAY YAY YAY

First time listening Nick Drake. Very calming album. I am sad he didn’t get the recognition he deserved when he was alive. I will definitely listen his another albums and put my favorites on my playlists.

Love the delicate and intricate instrumentation. (That acoustic guitar!👌🏽🤤) Nick Drakes vocals blend well with this style of music, but could be lacking in emotion/power? That flute goes hard on the title track Bryter Layter. The sax hits on Poor Boy. Northern sky is simply a wonderful track. Great album with a mysterious somber vibe.

Soft and smooth without being uninteresting. Great album, completely new to me

5/5 - Excellent; Like a fore runner to James Taylor but more experimental; loved it

This is really good. Great production. At first I didn't know about his singing style, but with the lush instrumentals and the vivid imagery in the lyrics, it all spins together into a really memorable experience.

Out of his 3 albums. This albums the most well rounded. Containing an actual backing band rather than Drake himself plus Orchestra/Drake just playing guitar (in reference to his debut and last album respectively).

3 albums now 50yrs old. Each one mind blowing. An ephemeral talent never seen before or since.

Такой приятный альбом! Казалось, что я слушаю саундтрек своего дня, наслаждаюсь переливами мелодий и инструментов. Очень интересно было прочитать про жизнь этого исполнителя. Чудесная музыка.

Это лучшее, что я слышала за долгое время

Heart-wrenchingly beautiful.

A classic Nick Drake album - it is perfect, goes beyond English Folk and clearly belongs to this list.

Lovely, chilled out shops and bars

Pretty pretty

One of my absolute favourite albums. Near perfect.

A truly beautiful album that I will return to & listen to many times. Northern Sky, Poor Boy & Hazy Jane are all outstanding

This is hitting me just right. His voice is so sincere, so calming with tinges of melancholy, but a great sense of beauty and hope.

Sublime. Sadly under-appreciated during his life.

Nick drake is one of the all time greats

Absolutely beautiful album. I don't know what else to say. This has definitely been my favorite album so far.

Very chill and upbeat vibe.

Lots of great sounds. Great integration of different musical styles into something original. Surprised it was made in 1978!

Nearly perfect. Nick's hardest rocking album but still poignant and lyrical and beautiful. 5 🌟

What a beautiful album. I love the arrangements, the way saxophone pops up in "at the chime of a city clock", the piano in "Poor Boy", the decision to start and end with an instrumental track. It all adds another dimension to his voice and song writing.

Mellow, folky, full of horns. Great Sunday morning album.

Wow. Loved this. Obvious comparisons with Belle & Sebastian, but wished I’d found this a long time ago. Play on repeat!

I love his style, I’m a sucker for guitar, voice is very smooth. Perfectly executed. If this isn’t a 5 for me, I don’t know what is.

One of the best songwriters I had never checked out before I started this challenge.

Initially I thought that Bryter Layter wasn't as good as Pink Moon which I got to listen to properly for the first time last week. I'm still giving it 5 stars as it is an amazing album. The problem I had was that I was so ready to compare the two which was my error. Where Pink Moon was Nick Drake's soul stripped bare this is his heart, with him trying to show the world his talent that we didn't get to experience for long. I can hear attempts to be commercially friendly, a little bit of Van Morrison, a taste of the Stones but this is very much Nick Drake. I really can see why he so revered now.

Beautiful

I really enjoyed this album. It has lovely instrumentation, soothing lyrics. Nick Drake has a voice which blends but adds a lot of dimension to the musical arrangements. Now that I’ve listened to 2/3 of his albums, I can say that I’m a big fan. Favorite tracks: “Hazy Jane II,” “Poor Boy” and “Northern Sky.”

As I listened, I tried to imagine how I would feel about Nick Drake if this was my first introduction to him. I honestly don't know if I would have loved the album. It is very relaxing, though. But having already fallen for Nick Drake and having listened to this album a few times in the past, I know that I love the album now.

My introduction to Nick Drake came from two of the songs from this album, which were on movie soundtrack albums I bought in the early 2000s. They have been favorite tracks ever since. It was wonderful to hear this whole album, which was a little less ethereal than Five Leaves Left, but no less beautiful.

This is a masterpiece. So sad that he died so young. "Could've Been" has always been a favorite of mine.

I love his voice and the tone and style of this music. great album.

Truly a sonic journey. Once again, you can hear how this influences future works from so many

Holy hell this is amazing, so soft and sensual, but somehow innocent as well.