Bryter Layter

Cool, dark, smooth, and really mellow. I liked everything here. Four stars.

Some songs went a bit long

Meh

Bryter Layter is a great demonstration of Nick Drake's ability as a singer-songwriter, from melancholic tracks such as "At The Chime of a City Clock" to the very sweet and endearing "Northern Sky." The backing instruments, ranging from strings, flute, and saxophone, help to add texture to these tracks while still maintaining a folk flair that is very much distant to Nick Drake, even if some of these tracks without vocals I could live without.

Hidden gem, very enjoyable album.

Listened on a day when April felt like summer. Went for a walk. The leaves have come out all at once and I read by the river with the sounds from the sports field in the back. The petals are falling from the blossom already. It felt like I was listening to someone else's music they'd have in their living room, upbeat and jazzy :)) exactly the vibes I wanted

I don't have much to say about this one. It was nice, it was relaxing. Favorite song: Poor Boy

Easy listening with a tone that feels quintessential to 1970s smooth folk. No single song stood out as it turned into background music, but as such, I would go back to it.

The second album I was served up on this 1,001 album listening journey was Nick Drake's debut album, Five Leaves Left. I was blown away. Fitting that 56 albums later, I get the second in his three-album discography, Bryter Layter. This album contains some new, more upbeat songs compared to Five Leaves Left, including Hazey Jane II, that has a positive, uptempo rhythm that reminded me of the backing drums for Dire Straits' Sultans of Swing. I had never heard this song and dug it. The string arrangements here are lush and the brass instruments clearly present, but don't overpower Drake and his expert fingerpicking. This album didn't hit me as forcefully as Drake's debut did as a whole so it gets a 4 stars from me rather than the 5 I gave to Five Leaves Left. But Bryter Layter still a definite masterpiece. 4 stars: I am struck by this album. Interesting Factoids from Wikipedia: *Arranger Robert Kirby says that Drake intended the instrumentals to evoke (the Beach Boys') Pet Sounds. *The guitar Drake holds on the album cover is owned by Nick Laird-Clowes of The Dream Academy, whose "Life in a Northern Town" was written as an elegy to Drake. Standout Tracks: Hazey Jane II, One of These Things First, Fly, Poor Boy, Northern Sky

Not had a chance to listen yet but will

1. One of These Things First 2. Northern Sky 3. Hazey Jane I 4. At the Chime of a City Clock 5. Poor Boy 6. Hazey Jane II 7. Fly 8. Sunday 9. Bryter Layter 10. Introduction I’m surprised I didn’t immediately love Northern Sky but I think it’ll grow on me.

Liked this a lot.

Picture this it was Sunday morning. The first sunny day of the year. Driving towards the Forrest to do a hike. slightly hangover but just good enough. Listening to this album and just floating in good vibes. Didn't know it but really liked it!

Kevyttä rockia, vähän countrymaista. Hempeää laulua. Parhaat: Northern Sky, Poor Boy, Sunday

It’s sad to think that “Bryter Layter” didn’t apply to Nick Drake’s short life. His deep voice and melancholy of his music would suggest someone much older, not a young man that wouldn’t live to see age 30. Although this album is beautiful, it’s still quite somber, which means it isn’t one I’ll want to put on repeat. But on its merits, I’d go 3.5 to 4/5.

A very lovely album, melancholy and relaxed, I liked when it got a little jazzier. A fine listen but kind of forgettable for me.

Not bad at all. But also a bit boring. 3/5

Ник дрейк... Опяяяять? ну это нежный фолк для разбитых сердец ну типа ну и чё

Beautiful album. I love his music, it’s easy listening for me. Just hits all the right folksy/jazzy notes and his distinct voice is just smooth and calm. Definitely for more of a laid back mood. It can be gloomy at times, especially in lyrical content upon closer inspection, but it isn’t as immediately obvious to me in every song as with some more modern artists. It’s more of a light introspective melancholy. It’s sadder when realizing he passed away so young, of an apparent antidepressant overdose ruled as a suicide. Sucks how such talent is all too often taken from us in such a way.

Nick Drake is an artist I have heard here and there but have yet to really sit and listen to. I always enjoy hearing his soft smooth songs. I've never listened to this whole album but I love One of These Things First. Hazey Jane II is a cool song. The trumpet is strange for a Nick Drake song. The song itself is strange for a Nick Drake song but damn I bet you could put his voice and lyrics against any form of music and it would elevate it. At the Chime of a City Clock... Wow. How depressing in the best way. Beautiful. One of These Things First is probably the hit everyone hears. The lyrics are so symbolic in this song, but simple enough to easily apply meaning. I even enjoyed the instrumental compositions. Interesting to note that John Cale of The Velvet Underground played on this with members of Fairport Convention. I was sad to learn that Nick Drake overdosed on anti-depressants and died at 26. His music and voice seems so much more mature than that. Maybe he felt older than he was. This is a beautiful album and Drake's voice, lyrics, and compositions have stood the test of time and managed to resonate with generations of people who weren't even alive when he was. He might have hated that, though. Who knows.

Hazey Jane II // Poor Boy //

good, folky

Oh Nick Drake... pretty sure this guy has a song or 2 on The Garden State soundtrack. Which coincidentally enough we listened to yesterday. Yep, One Of These Things First. And that is on this album. Crazy that this album is from 1970. I thought all the songs on that soundtrack were modern. It was okay. I am not feeling that good today and the slow mellow vibe was nice. But still only 2 stars.

Oh this ruled

Love me some Nick Drake. I think Pink Moon is his best album, but this is quite good. Sad to have lost him so young.

Echt een artiest die ik altijd al wilde checken, vind pink moon echt een prachtig nummer namelijk, moet dat album nog steeds een keer luisteren. Vond dit album toch ook wel erg mooi, mooi geschreven composities, nice productie voor die tijd en echt een verrassend goede gitarist gitarist. Ga sws meer van hem checken.

Mooi, leuk album!

Prima album Kende deze guy alleen van naam

So sad - and this is his ‘upbeat’ album. I like Nick Drake and all of his tragic genius, but for me it is more about a few standout songs than an album I want to listen to again and again. 3.5

My favourite Nick Drake, and right up there with Pink Moon. Perfect listening for the weekend.

quick album that's nice as background music.

Good nature trip album

Beautifully melancholy.

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.

Þessi nístir í hjartað að svo mörgu leyti, þrátt fyrir að vera ekki alveg eins mikið "haust" og hinar plöturnar hans. Ofboðslega gott stöff.

Didn’t care for it

Holy shit. Great album, rip Nick Drake.

Yea, cool stuff.

Quite good. Like this even better than Pink Moon. 4.5/5

I have always found Nick Drake easy to listen to…although the music doesn’t suit all moods, it is lovely 4.5

The backing music is something I hadn't heard before. But no

Lovely & lilting.

Gorgeous strings, demure hushed vocals pastoral lyrics, a truly wonderful album!

Chill, cool guitar music

Easy listening, the melodies were good.

Ok yeah she’s kinda nice. Good vibes. This the type of music I enjoy lots

Was ok

If I’m being honest, this is probably my favorite folk album I’ve heard so far. Nick Drake does a really amazing job at making his songs up to interpretation, and most of these songs are up to interpretation. The songs are mostly melancholic, like “Poor Boy” and “At The Chime of a City Clock”, which add to the already amazing instrumentals. Drake is also a good storyteller, and songs like “Northern Sky” and the aforementioned “Poor Boy” do just that. That’s why this album deserves a 92/100, or a 4.6/5. Fav: “Fly” Least Fav: None

I wish I knew why his music was so good at summing up how I feel when depressed. 3.5, round to 3

I want Nick Drake to tuck me in at night and read me a bedtime story

He would have loved Julien Baker

Nick drake = nickleback + drake

Why does it seem there are so many folk musicians from the 70s on this list? The most listenable song on this list, Northern Sky, is still... meh. I begrudgingly give this a rating.

I've listened to this a dozen times trying to find the magic of Nick Drake. He has a pleasant acoustic guitar plucking sound with some pretty decent orchestration of other instruments. My downside is that when the tempo is slow, it is really rambly rambly boring. Hazey Jane 2 and One of These Things First are a bit more interesting, but nothing to really get me to understand his reported brilliance. It was fine, though will likely not return.

This album is beautiful from beginning to end. I know Nick Drake had his demons, but this put me in a much better mood. Perfect for springtime in nature.

Varsin tyylikäs! 4/5

Parhaita folk-levyjä ja mahdollisesti suosikkini Drakelta. Eiköhän se Pink Moon tule myös, niin näkee sitten. 4+/5

olipa hallittu ja vähäeleinen. 4/5

I love Nick Drake! I’m pretty sure this is my favorite Nick Drake album. I know his trio of albums has a decent amount of debate around which is best, but something about the arrangements and production on this feels great. Pink Moon is the star child and is in many ways the best representation of Drake — guitar and voice. Though not as intimate, it is more lush and playful, and it has a couple of my favorite songs on it but One of These Things and Northern Sky are up. I’m also just a sucker for the strings and brass. Depending on my mood, this one or Pink Moon. But both are 5s for me.

Very nostalgic, I liked it quite a bit

Made me miss Autobahn

Yes

It's Nick Drake - hard for it not to be 5 tbh

Drake ist Drake.

Chill but interesting. Upbeat but thoughtful. Nick Drake knows how to make me relax and feel good but also think a little bit

quite possibly the best "find joy in smoking a joint and watching the rain fall on the window pane" album of all time.

3- Stars (7/15)

did not want to finish because it was exacerbating my depressive mood… i did like it though. 3.4

Sad history about this guy, but hauntingly beautiful music, you can hear how he’s feeling which is pretty cool. 3.1

It's folky which isn't usually my jam, but there's enough jazzy stuff going on for me to forgive it. What a lovely listen. Now I feel bad that my first experience with his music was Fontaines DC covering Cello Song. 4/5. Looking forward to the rest of his stuff.

Fine. Definitely preferred it to Five Leaves Left, but it’s getting the same rating because it’s all the same really. I enjoyed Poor Boy a lot though. I find the bigger production songs better than when it’s just lonely old Nick.

I usually like folk music, but this one doing it for me in a major way. Very middle of the road.

Was decently surprised by this album. Good guitar parts, harmonies, and solid vocals to boot. I dig it.

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.

Cool that John Cale from the Velvet Underground played on this album. And the Japanese metal band Boris copied this album's art for the reissue of their album Akuma no Uta. I love the bustling energy on "Hazey Jane II", was expecting a more low-key folk tracklist so this is a nice surprise. I love Drake's soft singing style too. "One of These Things First" is a total jam, looks like one of my friends played it on our college radio show, though I don't remember it unfortunately. Can't say there were any moments here I didn't enjoy.

It’s 1971 and the purple world of Bryter Layter, Nick Drake’s second set-o-songs, rolls up regally in an entrancing ‘Introduction’. Gentle acoustic guitar goes low and high in fancy flights of elegant arpeggios as other orchestral instruments start to swell with romantic rises of string-sound. It’s just a couple chords mirrored again and again for not much more than a minute, but it sets the mellow mood for the rest of the record. ‘Hazey Jane II’ sounds like a sunny afternoon countryside with its quick twanging licks and background brass. It’s nothing but fast folk rocking with full band reinforcements and an unusual and upbeat course of chords. The first few phrases of verse draw on far longer than expected just because Drake, a rather shy guy, finds he has much to say in song. Sung in a sudden outpouring of posh flourish, his lines come across sprawling and spontaneous and a touch funny: “and what will happen in the evening in the forest with the weasel with the teeth that bite so sharp when you’re not looking in the evening?”. It all seems the smiling influence of the old hazy jane inhabiting his head and making him all the more articulate in his art. Indeed, the last lyrics are “if songs were lines / in a conversation / the situation would be fine”; and this seems to say that he can only really talk true if he’s singing a song. ‘At The Chime Of A City Clock’ starts with an apocalyptical guitar part, its tone beset by smoke and snow. After one pass, the band joins in jazzily and Drake sings “a city freeze / get on your knees / pray for warmth and green paper”. It’s a grim vision of poor people with no place to go and no one to know in an enormous and overpopulated industrial jungle. In addition to the bleary business of the bass-n-drums accompaniment, symphonious strings sweep above the scene in dark arcs, ominous countermelodies to the tuneful “chime of the city clock” of the chorus. Second verse introduces a squawking jazz-sax that adds a ton of rougher colors to the grey-shade spectrum of the song. Overall, it’s rather black, this track. Cheer up or perhaps down with ‘One Of These Things First’, a breeze-feel ballad belied by downbeat lyrics about everything that the singer could have been: “I could have been your pillar / could have been your door / I could have stayed beside you / could have stayed for more”. Clearly trapped in the past, Drake can’t move forward to make any changes: “I could be / here and now / I would be, I should be / but how?”; and considering his obscure and short-lived life, these troubles of time and identity are essential elements of the artist. Musically, the tune features a fast and relentless riff for guitar as well as some perfectly-employed piano. Restless drums drive the beat all the while; and even at five minutes, the song seems too short. Despite its sequel occurring earlier in the album, ‘Hazey Jane I’ shows up as an entirely different song. The first few seconds exhibit Drake’s masterful command of his folk-fingers with awesome acoustic guitar parts. Cinematic strings move with slow majesty almost out-of-time through this other dusty address to the vague Jane, likely both a person and a plant. Lines like “do you feel like a remnant / of something that’s past? / do you find things are moving / just a little too fast?” read with some stoned sense of loss as if time is trickling by and there’s no way forward. Last lines: “hey slow, Jane, clear your eye / slow, slow, Jane, fly on by”; it’s just another gentle rendering of the strange relationship between Drake-n-Jane, man and his high and flighty muse. ‘Bryter Layter’ title track turns out to be a charming instrumental featuring flute, very melodic and somewhat sassy-jazzy as strings enter in. No true telling what the words “bryter layter” may mean, but perhaps it’s an indication of sunshine to come tomorrow. ‘Fly’ comes across classically with its stately shape. Descending guitars go down against a droning two-note viola before a huge harpsichord fills out the sound. Drake’s hurried and high-pitched pleas of “please! give me a second grace / please! give me a second face” sound particularly pained against the opulent production as if his straining voice can scarcely rise above to voice responsibility and express remorse. The main takeaway can be collected from the end of each refrain: “it’s really too hard for to fly”, that folky double preposition/infinitive easy to mishear as “for the fly”. Jazz guitar does dim mutey music throughout ‘Poor Boy’, a track unlike all others on the album. Piano’s prominent and eventually gets to shine bryter layter during an extended solo. Saxophone squeals. Ladies lend dusty lungs to lead the chorus of “oh pooy boy / so sorry for himself / oh poor boy / so worried for his health”. Lyrics paint a picture of a poor little urchin child living a rough-n-ragged existence out on the streets; but it’s really just Drake the Waif singing with deathly self-pity: “nobody knows / how cold it grows…” ‘Northern Sky’ comes across like a cold yet cozy evening with its soft guitar and spacious organ atmospheres. It might the simplest song on of the set, but that doesn’t diminish its large charm. Drake soulfully sings: “would you love me for my money? / would you love me for my head? / would you love me through the winter? / would you love me ’til I’m dead?”. As evidenced by this song showing up in more than a few movies and inspiring other songs of its own (see The Dream Academy’s ‘Life In A Northern Town’), many people do love the man and his music. Indeed, this might be the most-known Nick Drake ditty. ‘Sunday’ is another flutey feature with a main theme most moody and menacing. No throwaway, the song boasts several melodies abounding in well-wound sections of innerestin instrumental music; and although there’s no words at work, it’s still quite catchy! Made by a man rarely recognized in his own time, Bryter Layter may take a few tries to really get; but if you like great creative guitar playing and introspective lyrics, listen and listen again to unlock this bunch of beautifully moody musics.

I like it, though could understand a comment from someone who found it a bit smooth. One of These Things First, or Bryter Layter my favourites

Chilled me out

Was expecting me to not like this but I find it enjoyable. I wouldn't turn it off if I get it but it's not something I'd seek out. Nice songs and a good voice. Enough variety where I didnt get bored

ugg. didn't enjoy very much boring

So boring

Nicht mein Ding

I'm never comfortable with acoustic guitar folk singers, but this is slightly different, and given the short tragic life he lived he gets a 3.

Seemed ok. Only heard it as background noise. Barely remember it so I guess it was forgettable...

So good - I still feel like Nick Drake is at his best on less heavily arranged/produced tracks - not sure I like this album more than Pink Moon but it's great.

Nice bar music, discreet & smooth

Good one love nick drake

Lovely, beautiful! Stunning album. Gives me all the Sunday afternoon red wine vibes! Which is exactly when I’ll listen to it! Not sure it will get much play outside of that - but doesn’t take away from how lovely it is! 3.7

lovely!!!

Much more vibrant and lively then his final release pink moon, lovely use of brass instrumentation, nicks soft acoustic tones and careful vocals

Son 2ème album. C'est très folk, c'est doux, c'est rêveur, c'est bon.

I was hooked from the Introduction track. Very vibey, great way to end the weekend and chill

Nick Drake’s breezy vocals softly float over melancholic and moody instrumentals. The only word that comes to mind when describing the vibe of this album is Americana. It’s a quick easy listen, but left more to be desired. Fav songs: At The Chime of a City Clock, One of These Things First, Poor Boy

Relaxing Sunday vibes with beautiful instrumentals. I obviously read his Wikipedia after listening and sad to learn that he never saw his own success. Might listen again if I’m in the mood.

Pretty cool

Boring enough

Nick Drake is without a doubt one of the greatest tragedies in music history, seconded only by Ian Curtis in my opinion. The fact that he had an abolutely legendary 3 album run from 1969 to 1972, and almost nobody had heard of him until after his death in 1974. I want to call this my favourite album of his, but honestly he was so damn consistent that my favourite is just whichever I most recently listened to. I love how upbeat this is compared to his debut, but still keeping his iconic folk sound. And the lyrics are still very much about his own mental health struggles, but he presents them in a way that is so much more accessible than a lot of other artists by not making it too depressing. There are very few albums out there that use strings as tastefully as this one does. Blended perfectly with Nick's acoustic guitar, the use of other instruments like violins are absolutely beautiful, adding so many layers and so much depth to the actual music itself. And I feel like it should be a crime to write a review of a Nick Drake album without mentioning his gorgeous soothing voice. That was the main thing that I have always loved about his music, even before I really got into it properly. Nick Drake is an artist I grew up listening to just because my mum really liked his music and had him playing a lot. At the time I was too young to really care about music that much, but I definitely always had a soft spot for this, even only at age 6 or 7. To come back and familiarise myself with his full discography now at age 20 is an amazing combination of nostalgia, but also learning more about him and his music on a deeper level, and realising why he stuck out to me when I was just a child.

Again, some very lovely and lush orchestrations backing Nick’s folk melodies. This album feels more time stamped than Five Leaves Left. Some of the melodies brought to mind Dan Fogelberg song, “Longer,” which I haven’t thought about or heard in decades. The album is nice, but after one listen, I didn’t have much to take away. 3.0

Very nice. I like the jazzier elements and think it suits his guitar parts well, but it doesn't suit his voice as well. IMO there's a sweet spot with somewhat sparse accompaniment supporting his voice/guitar (similar to "Five Leaves Left") but here it's more structured arrangements, bordering on folk pop. It's good and no one can imitate Drake. He's a unique talent. 3.8

Nothing here super magical just serviceable chill music from the 70s

Second album I’ve had by Nick Drake, and I really enjoyed it.

Decent, if not slightly bland. Nice voice, good songs but not something to write home about. May revisit at some point

1970s British Folk Rock, it’s giving Beatles but less poppy. Interesting because today I feel like this would be called folk or indie and not at all called rock. I liked the instrumentals a lot. Especially the last track with the flute. Its great music for just a calm mellow vibe. One song through, slow Jane, I’m like: is he being misogynistic?? The lyrics are kinda fun to analyze.

One of my favorite albums all time. Can only imagine what he would’ve been able to accomplish had we not lost him so early. Suggest more like this.

Ily Nick Drake

Nick Drake with strings and piano things

Love this album, found by chance many years ago after hearing Northern Sky on a folk compilation

Didn’t know what to expect, nice and relaxing

Good guitarist but bleh.

I don't love it as much as his other two records, but I still like it well enough. Although I’m not as enamored with the lush production as I am the sparseness of Five Leaves Left and especially Pink Moon, his songwriting is still excellent and the album as a whole flows extremely well. 3.5/5

Another Nick Drake masterpiece. It’s the second of his albums I’ve had here, it hit me in the same way Five Leaves Left did. I really dig this guy.

Haven’t listened to this one in a long time but I have the CD somewhere.

More of this reminded me of the Sims 3 soundtrack than I care to admit. Favourite track: Poor Boy.

Another artist in the "I've heard of them, but never really listened to" category. Beautifully crafted folk, but the benefit of hindsight always looming in the background

Not a bad album but I got a little bored. The jazz vibe held me in there but I had to skip some songs half way thru. Otherwise he has a good voice, the songs are balanced very well and the sax was a nice plus when they added it.

Listened to the top song from this album. Didn’t like. Sounds like he doesn’t trust himself singing.

I think I liked some of it? Idk feels kinda like whiny elevator music but there were some okay spots. Not sure I'll ever listen again tho and I feel fine with that.

Very hit or miss. I remember a wave of people liking Nick Drake after the “Garden State” soundtrack but I think they mostly liked the idea of liking a lesser-know musician. This album has kind of a weird mix of jazz and folk. And his voice seems so fragile that a soft breeze would blow it away. It’s at times annoying and other times very beautiful. “Northern Sky” might be one of the most beautiful songs about new, innocent love out there. But most of the songs kind of sound like a slightly worse copy of someone else. Like Van Morrison’s “Astral Weeks” or Love’s “Forever Changes.”

Good composition, but was just a bit boring to me. 2.5/5

The music is superb, but I really don't like Drake as a vocalist. Unfortunate, because I feel like these songs with a better vocalist would be incredible. Top tracks: Introduction, Northern Sky, Sunday

Vecka 9

I liked this album. Exactly what I needed on an extremely stressful day (and commute).

I like the sound, the guitar is very technically skilled, but the music kind of dragged for me. I don't think it's quite my type, although I have a lot of respect for Nick Drake and how he influenced many great artists that came later.

Nun gut. Eher seicht und etwas für den Fahrstuhl. Nichts für mich.

Easy listening. Really grows on you.

What a great guitarist and singer, such a shame he died so young

I would give this a 3.5. It’s good, a nice chill acoustic vibe if that’s what I’m looking for

Got into this and pink moon just a couple years ago, some other artist (i thought it was colin greenwood but couldnt find it) mentioned nick drake and this album in particular as a huge influence. This album drops my heartrate, i love it. You get these great straightforward seeming folk tracks but all of the sudden you're on these jazzy tangents and horns and keys show up. Plus breezily contemplative lyrics that invite you to just slow down your brain a bit.

I like the John Cale influence and the layered acoustic songs.

Not a bad album, but very melancholy and sounds similar to some other artists from that time. The instrumentals are nice.

Beautiful listen for a spring morning. The unexpected jazzy piano, string arrangements, and flowing flute parts really caught me off guard. Enjoyed it a lot. Would buy on vinyl.

What a relief from the misery that was yesterday's Metallica. 5 stars. And lead me down the wiki-hole of Nick Drake's life. I have to admit, I often confuse Nick Drake, Gram Parsons, Nick Cave and Nick Lowe. I have to consciously think through which is which whenever one of them come up. Every one of them has 5 star albums.

3/5 I liked some songs, had a cool ambiance to it. Not sure if I like the singers voice on this one, but I did like everything else. Unique.

Smooth and easy. Reminds me of a polished Rodriguez 7/10

tranquil and soothing, full of rich instrumentation, i love the flute on the titular track, john cale's influence definitely shows. standouts: poor boy northern sky (ofc) hazey jane II

Ok so this album was actually one of the first I didn't struggle to get through. Drake's soft voice and acoustic accompany made this a very easy listen. There was some sexy flutes and trumpets in this album that I thought were wonderful. Very sad that Drake's life ended so soon and how averse he was to performing life. After his first two albums flopped he kind of vowed to never record again which was sad. He was pretty crushed by all that. Weiners: Hazy Jane I and II Losers: None! All of these songs were decent and enjoyable.

Instrumentally a chilled and pretty album. Droney vocals let it down

Obviously a highly influential and well constructed album, but I can't get over the horne voice and find it difficult to distinguish between the maudlin warblings.

A peaceful anthem filled with optimism and hope.

Based on the cover I'm confused as to when this came out. Intro I'm still not sure. Ok, 70s. I'm pretty meh about this. I feel like it lacks passion.

Top tier Nick Drake - about what you would expect with some above and beyond songs on there as well

Ah, Nick Drake. We've really gone and blown our load on Nick Drake these last few weeks because we've had all 3 of his only albums, all in the last 3 weeks. And this one is... still pleasant, but my least favorite of the bunch. There's a lot more on here, especially in the instrumentation, that feels a little programmatic and uninspired, a little boring. The songs are beautiful as always, the treatment on this one is just a little too back-of-the-record-60's for me to appreciate it. A couple of the instrumental tracks *almost* have this Pet Sound-y "Let's Go Away For A While" way of taking you on a journey. But that comparison is probably in poor taste and certainly unflattering, because the Nick Drake versions sound slap-dashed together by contrast. Yeah, listening through a little time, everything just sounds... lazy. Nick Drake, you don't deserve this treatment! Maybe that's why we all love Pink Moon. Not nearly as much "production" around his ideas. More reclusive, minimal, letting the songs breathe. These songs have breathing room, but I'm just distracted by their somewhat uninspired setting. 2/5

Not a bad mix of music styles. But not my fav

I've heard of him before, can't wait to hear his music😋, ooo I like his vocals. Idk this is an okay album, not my cup of tea but there's some alright songs here‼️

Ethereal, sad, post-60s-hippy folk music perfection. Nick Drake really was built differently, this is everything Cat Stevens wished he could be, instead Drake makes it all sound so effortless.

4.1 a close second behind pink moon faves: intro, hazey jane, one of these things first, northern sky

Quite nice actually. Nice instrumentals.

Melancholic and thoughtful. Has some jazzy vibes… I like his pink moon album better. Sad he died so young!

Enjoyable folk album. Some lovely songs. Never heard of the artist before so it was a good start to my 1001.

I found the music somewhat sad

Chill donovan-esque guitar man! It captures that 70s hippy vibe to an absolute T.

First time hearing a Nick Drake album, I only knew him from the Garden State soundtrack before. I always got a cozy chill out vibe from the song of his I’d heard before and this album is a lot more of the same feeling although musically there is more to a lot of the songs.

It just wasn’t for me you know. Sorry to this man. Liked Northern Sky though.

I had heard of Nick Drake from a line in Amanda Palmer's Ukulele Anthem but I never thought to look up the artist. I'll have to check out his other albums, I enjoyed this one.

EPIC jazz flute solo in Sunday, not terrible overall I guess.

Not my favorite by Drake. I feel he was forced to make a more pop-friendly album. I still love it though.

Really enjoyed this one. Nice easy listening joyful folk music. Added this one to my playlist.

I've only listened to Pink Moon up to this point, but I think I like this even better. It's more upbeat and bright, but still has a lot of great lines and melodies. Also, the jazz influence elevates the album and gives it so much flavor and variety. It's the folk/jazz combo I never knew I needed.

Digg med nåke eg har hørt før. Bryter Layter (sangen) e ganske nice, resten e litt kjedelig. Kult albumcover, minne om Boris

I had heard his music out of context but the album really brought his work together in a coherent way. I appreciate the smooth vocals.

I've tried so hard. Freinds said listen to Nick Drake. BBC radio docs with Brad Pitt- listen to Nick Drake. Spotify adds him to every playlist I make. Everything points to me liking Nick, but I just don't get it. I tried again - listening to the whole album in order. The high points are average. Maybe he's been copied too much, but I just didn't hear anything special.

Um belo álbum dos anos 70 para dar início a esta descoberta por músicas e artistas que desconheço. Muito ao estilo de Neil Young/CSNY.

Root of a lot of alternative themes and styles to come. You can hear the sounds that from the 60s on would inspire people to push fringe music into other places. This is one I'll come back to with headphones to explore.

Solid singer song writer from the same musical movement as Cat Stevens and Jim Croce

OK yeah, it’s another Nick Drake album with… luxurious arrangements? Strings? Brass? What’s going on? This is definitely the odd duck of the three just due to its production, though I don’t feel substantially different about it. His voice is frankly too weak to sell some of these songs, but the album is sometimes beautiful. One worth coming back to once or twice. Best song: Northern Sky

Very enjoyable.

I really enjoyed this one.

Nice folk album, a bit melancholy.

Class

Excellent music and song composure. A bit on the dry side, but nevertheless strong song composition. I don’t really vibe with his singing style, and the music does not elicit an emotional response.

Very nice - Borat

Reminded me of 70s Dave Matthews

Эта музыка дала немного утешения и какого-то тепла

Not bad. I liked Pink Moon better but this is nice background music. I added Sunday to my playlist for this project; I just really vibed with the sound of that one. I would rate 3.5 if I could so I will round to a 4

🫶🏼

Another miss.

Again, listened to it all day, don’t remember it very well.

Not my favorite album by Nick Drake, but still a good listen

Didn't mind this but not much else to say about it. Was jollier than expected but can't imagine I would choose to listen to it again. I find singer-songwriters generally very self-indulgent and this too seems to fit that mold.

Poor Nick - SO misunderstood. Hazy Jane has a real rocking feel going off. I love the light brass touches on At the Chime. There's even a late Elvis Vegas gospel tinge to Poor Boy. Drake hangs on to the notes and shows a great vocal delivery. It almost makes me want to go out for a walk in the countryside.

Stunning. Heard of this guy but completely got him confused with a mesh of other artists which he is not. Ethereal and beautiful album. Slightly trails off a bit in the latter half but excited about diving a lot more into this over the coming months. Starting off with a 4*, but can easily see this slipping up or down a tier. It feels like it's either gonna grow or get boring..excited to see which.

couldn’t have asked for a better snow day album

There are some haunting songs on here.

I love Nick!

This album is what it is…. 70’s Folk. It’s a nice sound, but everything sounds the same.

JT wanna be.

Easy listening, some nice songs, but not remarkable

Favourite Song: Introduction The opening was absolutely beautiful but very different to the rest of the sound. A very chilled and thoughtful album, if you're feeling up for it.

A gorgeous album by a gorgeous soul who left us too soon. It's not for everyone, as relaxed and gentle as it is, but with its full, intricate arrangements and introspective lyrics, I can't help but adore it. Drake is one of the great songwriters of the past century, and I wished he'd stuck around long enough to see that become common consensus. For my money, this (and his next album Pink Moon) is among the most beautiful albums ever released.

Ah, lik u 3 godine 3 jesenske albumske himne napravi

Peaceful; lilting; lovely.

Love it. I have listened to Pink Moon multiple times so I am a fan of Nick. I have listened to this one a few times but I guess I never listened listened since I don't remember most of the songs. I really like this.

I didn't think I would like an album this quiet and introspective. However, there is simply so much going on in each peaceful track that it still captures your full attention. Favorite track was the titular bryter layter

Time for another returning artist! This time, we return to Nick Drake, and artist whose debut album, Five Leaves Left, was given a 5/5 by me a few months ago. Now, I'm listening to his second album out of three, Bryter Layter. By the way, all three of his albums are on here, and I'm getting them in release order. Neat! Anyway, this album, like Five Leaves Left, is insanely good. It's fairly different from that other album. It's significantly more upbeat, which isn't a bad thing. Don't get me wrong, the depressing nature of Five Leaves Left is a big part of what makes that album such a good piece of art. However, I kind of like this album's blend of emotions. Bryter Layter does get emotional, but the overall sound is more accessible and laid-back in comparison to the consistently drab (but not in a bad way) sound of Five Leaves Left. However, despite the differences, everything else that made that album great still applies here. The singing and writing in particular are still excellent. The writing especially still holds up as being quite good. Let's talk about the sound itself. I like it. It just has this nice cozy feel to it that I feel isn't something that many of these albums have had. Don't get me wrong, I love a good crazy album every once in a while. But sometimes it's nice to just sit back and listen to something nice for a bit. The pacing is also near-perfect. Nothing drags or ends too soon. Overall, this album is just as good, if not better than Five Leaves Left, and I'm very excited to get to Pink Moon eventually. 5/5.

I like Nick Drake, his songs are chill. This isn’t as good as Pink Moon, and might not be as good as Five Leaves Left, but I still enjoy it a good amount. Also, a few days ago I hit being on here for a whole year (February 1st).

Compared to Pink Moon, which I had about a year ago and become my most listened to album last year, the lush instrumentation definitely doesn’t suit Nick’s style as well in my opinion. Maybe I just like sad music though, I don’t know. Still very good and the songs are well crafted for sure. 7/10

Wasn’t really sure what genre this was. Nice voice. Wasn’t horrible. But not for me.

Un poco rollo.

Interesting and a little odd. Van Morrison singing jazz/folk lounge music.

I enjoy this album every time I hear it. The songs have a forward motion to them even when melancholy. The arrangements with the backing musicians suggests a greater scope — I find myself mostly swept up in it. I could do without the title track, actually. It is almost the only thing holding back a solid four-star review. I don't mind the instrumental song Sunday as an album closer as much. With this record I get the feels at all the right times but without being overwhelmed like I sometimes am with Pink Moon.

This is all very nice and pleasant, but a bit more variety or texture would be nice. I wonder how much of the shine from Nick Drake's star is down to him being the tragic hero of the British Folk Revival (cf. your Buckley of choice, perhaps). There is nothing not to like about his stuff, but after a while it does get a little boring.

Interesting album

My word. I knew of Nick Drake before this but had never actually heard any of his work before. I love it and it honestly is not what I expected. My daughter got there first, think I will be buying his biography for her birthday. I can totally see how he influenced John Martyn and I love him too so there it is. Thank you generator

Muito parado! Lembra Jack Johnson. Folk, bossa nova, jazz.

Melancholy and beautiful. Glad I gave it a listen, cause I like it better than the pink moon.

Nothing that hits me therr. Pretty boring.

Sehr feinsinniger guter Folk - und wieder folk...

Absolutely lovely.

This may sound bad but Nick Drake is low-key boring. I was bored by this album. But not in a soothing and sleepy way. In like a "I'm bored" way.

Dat flute doh. Pretty chill, pretty pleasant, didn’t fully grab me

Amazing unique sound

Never heard of this guy. Boring so far. Nothing grabbed me here. Can’t deny the guys talent just didn’t do it for me. It maybe a grower but not interested enough to continue trying. Interesting story about him - very sad.

Somber, nice n dark.

"Poor Boy" and "Sunday" 4/5. The rest is okay

Second half of that album has some more enjoyable music. The rest (including vocal) is not so good.

Vanilla ice cream is good, I guess. Another album that is fine, but literally like "no one listens to this and gives a fuck".

Pink Moon is better. Still classic.

meh... next...

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.

TIENE UN TONO DE VOZ CALMO Y AMENO PARA LOS OIDOS

so this wasn’t bad but it was kind of like what you would listen to in a lift, like it became background, forgettable music, it’s not that i didn’t enjoy it, i did, but i can’t rate it highly cause i don’t remember anything….

Calm

Overall, this album is quite forgettable. Competent, but uninspiring. It would make delightful elevator music, but if some bloke with a guitar started playing these tunes at a house party, you'd want to smash it over his fucking head. "One of These Things First" was the song that introduced me to Nick Drake back in the day. I'm pretty sure I heard it on the "Garden State" movie soundtrack. Easily the best song on the album. 👌

Chill

Very gentle, but full of emotion. The whole album reminds me of being on the verge of tears but not actually crying. Love the instrumentals, especially the sax and flute. I wish there was more of that on this album, but it's enjoyable.

Relaxed

I gave this one a couple of listens and enjoyed it. The kind of music you can put on in the background and every now and then it sucks you back in.

Not my style

Sounds like Nick Drake. Love his jazz influences, which come out in this album. One track had interesting combo of bossa nova guitar with jazz sax and gospel choir. Not sure it was entirely successful, but interesting

Meditative, peaceful, but lyric apologetic.

Un poco rollo.

I love listening to an album and being like "oh, he wrote THAT song?"

I have not heard this album or artist before. It is a bit outside my typical taste but listening wasn’t an awful experience. There’s a lot of pretty instrumentals so this makes a great album for background noise. My favourite tracks were: Northern Sky and At the chime of a city clock. My least favorite track was Fly. I would listen to this album again but I wouldn’t intentionally play it.

Very nice

2/5

Melancholie in langweiligstem 70er Folk Gewand

Similar to a lot of singer songwriters of the 70’s. Definitely a chill vibe.

Excellent. Nice instrumentals. Smooth.

18 year old me would have absolutely eaten this album UP

Very poetic. The music is solid but somehow seems to much of the same thing by the time you reach the end of the album. He had a lot of potential.

Nice easy listen. Dont know if I’d revisit it but I can recognise why people would be drawn over and over to this album

Hyggelig

Sindssygt smuk plade, lyder som en kæmpe inspiration til en masse af mit yndlingsmusik men holder også 100 i sig selv

Gode sange, fed stil! Har set det her cover så mange steder og det er utroligt at det først er nu at jeg får det hørt.

9.3/10

Banger all the way through

sure am glad I listened to this before I die

Mellow folksy. More like background music. Doesn't engage my mind, but relaxing

too slow for me

This was nice, I enjoyed the instrumentals and I already know I like his voice. I like that it felt different to the other Nick Drake album I listened to.

Pretty good! The instrumental pieces are the high points for me.

Generally, love the Drake but it’s all kind of the same isn’t it?

Lovely voice and great compositions. Should’ve listened to Nick Drake a long time ago, but never did. Glad 1001 gave me the chance.

This album went down soooo smooth, a pretty great finish with Northern sky and Sunday back to back. Nice to wake up and get started on work this morning. One of These Things First also stood out, I liked the downtempo relaxed pace and cohesivity of this album, but nothing really stood out as exceptional musicality, having a hard time rating this album very high but I did enjoy.

This album has "Sunday Morning Chill" written all over it. I was pleasantly surprised, but not necessarily blow away either.

Decent easy listening. Not sure why everyone thinks this guy is the shit though

Too folksy for me.

It was a very relaxing album but its simplicity made it boring and not very memorable.

Love Nick Drake, so soothing. What a short, tragic life.

Sehr sanft. An die Stimme musste ich mich erstmal gewöhnen, aber ganz interessant!

fine?

Far more upbeat than I was expecting. 3.5 stars.

Soothing vocals for background music but not something I'd actively listen to. It's a little to snoozy for me & actually fell asleep while listening.

It was a nice, chill morning, so this fit in well. Not really my thing though.

Melodic, gentle, easy to listen to as background though rewarding to focus on. I only knew of Nick Drake from the Garden State Soundtrack.

Songs lasted too longer for my taste, like an extended 70s trip

Garden state soundtrack song

Wonderfully done, if a little lacking in variety

Cozy, melancholy, yet funky and fresh. Definitely enjoyed this album on a snowy, blustery day.

sqee

Introduction - instrumental and really pretty Hazey Jane II - 6/10. Sounded like it had some jazz influence? He sang-spoke (he rushed a lot of words into a stanza). At the Chime of a City Block - 7/10 VIOLINS! Definitely jazz influences. I couldn't understand all the lyrics. Slow, but relaxing. He sung in higher notes. One Of These Things First - 6/10. Piano. Slow. I wish he would enunciate more. I liked it tho! Hazey Jane I - 7/10 VIOLINS! super interesting that HJII came first. This is one my favorite so far. Had an upbeat start? Bryter Layter - 8/10 title track. Maybe the first time I've heard/recognized flute outside orchestras. Instramental. New favorite. Peaceful. Fly - 5/10. I am just rating with my gut but this didn't grab me. Poor Boy - 7/10 more upbeat. Piano. Choir that I like! Sax is back! Second favorite. Northern Sky - 7/10 "Would you love me in the winter?" Made me think of ASD. I like this one. Sunday - 7/10 Closer. Flute. Sounds really pretty. Instramental. Sounds both hopeful and sad. I liked the instramental tracks a lot! Sometimes when I am having a bad day, I just want to go take a shower and listen to peaceful music and this sounds like good music for that. I liked the other songs, but I don't like it when I can't understand the words.

Great music. Irritating voice and lyrics

Really enjoyed the introduction track and the instrumentals, but personally not a fan of their voice. It comes off as a bit shrill to me.

Interesting laid back chill feel to the music.

There’s some really nice jazz tracks !

Nick Drake is MASSIVELY underrated. Excellent.

Calming and relaxing, the album just feels warm, I was a little harsh on the

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

Had never heard of Nick Drake. I really liked this album and it gave me some appreciation for that 70’s era folksy sound. Sad that Nick’s struggles robbed him of success and took his life way too soon.

This album desperately wants me to feel something but I don’t. I made the mistake of reading Alex’s review on Pink Floyd and now don’t feel qualified to write anything. This is basically elevator music. 1970s Bon Iver (feat Dave Matthews) Is this this sort of album in which knowing something about the songwriter would change my perspective on it? Not that it matters, I literally don't have the capacity to care about any more strangers.

Nice calming voice. I am lyric blind.

*previously listened to* A nice balance of gentle guitars, bright horns and flutes paired with Nick Drake's quiet yet emotive voice. The mix of Drake's dour vocals and pleasant and uplifting instrumentation seems almost reflected on the cover. Sitting in shadows, face concealed by hair and darkness, Drake is surrounded by a bright burst of color. It's intriguing to wonder what could've been in the career of Nick Drake if he was around to realize an album following in these blueprints.

It was fine. Not the right kind of sad boy music for me, really.

Everyone I spoke to heard of Nick Drake but me. That was a great album. The musicianship was incredible.

I found the entire album easy to listen to. No one song stood out to me, but all of them used a variety of instruments in his compositions nicely.

Super mellow. I liked it.

🤮

Another lovely Nick Drake experience. Only giving 4 stars because the instrumentals took me out of it a bit

I like it

Good vibe, I liked it. In honesty, though, I was busy at the time and didn't really listen to the lyrics very much.

This seemed like pretty typical 70’s folk music. A little boring, and nothing too special.

“Hazey Janey 2” invented belle & Sebastian. “One of these things first” such a great vibe. That on the Almost Famous bis feeling. “As simple as a kettle.” “Fly”: beautiful Wes Anderson music! Was this actually in Tenenbaums? “Poor Boy”: worst song I’ve ever heard.

Ambient-core with great supporting instrumentation (I’m looking at you flute in the title track). Doesn’t floor me but I do really like it.

pretty good, nice and mellow, good for working/studying

very 70s folk rock. I think the hush puppies on the album cover sum it up well

Track 2 held a little promise, but all the orchestration, piano and flute couldn't do much for an uninteresting voice and guitar - sweet, though. I kept waiting for Judy Collins to join in.

love the guitars and the voice

First real exposure to Nick Drake other than "Pink Moon." Easy to listen to but didn't really catch my attention too often.

Interesting sound. Reminded me a lot of Bob Dylan. I enjoyed this album.

Loved it!