I See a Darkness

I See a Darkness
Studio album by Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
Released 19 January 1999
Genre Folk, indie rock
Label United States Palace Records
United Kingdom Domino Records
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy chronology

Joya
(1997)		 I See a Darkness
(1999)		 Ease Down the Road
(2001)
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic [1]
The AV Club (very favorable) [2]

I See a Darkness is an album by Bonnie 'Prince' Billy. It is Will Oldham's sixth album, and the first on which he used his Bonnie 'Prince' Billy moniker. The album was released in 1999 on Palace Records. The album also features Bob Arellano, Colin Gagon, Paul Oldham, and Peter Townsend.

Johnny Cash recorded the title track on his 2000 album American III: Solitary Man. Oldham provided background vocals for Cash's version.[3] Steve Adey also covered the title track on his 2006 LP All Things Real.[4]

Track listing

  1. "A Minor Place" - 3:43
  2. "Nomadic Revery (All Around)" - 3:58
  3. "I See a Darkness" - 4:49
  4. "Another Day Full of Dread" - 3:10
  5. "Death to Everyone" - 4:31
  6. "Knockturne" - 2:17
  7. "Madeleine-Mary" - 2:31
  8. "Song for the New Breed" - 3:24
  9. "Today I Was an Evil One" - 3:52
  10. "Black" - 3:46
  11. "Raining in Darling" - 1:54

Critical Reception

The album received mostly positive reviews from critics. Pitchfork's Samir Khan gave the album a rare 10/10 and described it as Oldham's "consummate offering" and the "type of record that demands solitary reverence".[5] AllMusic's Gregg Rounds gave the album 4.5/5 stars and characterized it as an "emotional and pleasurable listening experience".[1] The A.V. Club's Stephen Thompson remarked that I See a Darkness was "wonderful" and the "most appropriate synthesis yet of Oldham's vocals and backing band".[2] Stylus Magazine's Matt Lemay wrote that "by addressing concepts so grand with such sincerity and skill, the album is incredibly powerful under even the most mundane of circumstances".[6] Upon reviewing the reissued album in 2012, Drowned in Sound's Aaron Lavery felt that the album was Oldham's "finest achievement thus far" and the "essential release" in his discography.[7]

However, some reviews were mixed. NME gave the album a 7/10 and described it as "grim" and "perversely cheery", while also praising it for being a "delicate, intelligent record".[8] Sputnikmusic's Alex Robertson gave the album a 3.5/5, noting the grim subject matter, and stated that "when Oldham steers away from his own formula of sadness and strumming [...] is when the album works best".[9]

Accolades

The album has been listed in several "best of" lists.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 I See a Darkness at AllMusic
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Apr 19, 2002 AV Club Review
  3. ↑ http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/johnny-cash/american-iv-the-man-comes-around.htm
  4. ↑ http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/steve-adey/all-things-real.htm
  5. ↑ Oct 1, 1999 Pitchfork review
  6. ↑ Lemay, Matt. "Stranded: I See a Darkness" Stylus Magazine. Retrieved 2013-04-07
  7. ↑ Lavery, Aaron. "Bonnie 'Prince' Billy" Drowned in Sound. Retrieved 2013-04-07
  8. ↑ "I See a Darkness: Something grim this way comes, children..." NME. Retrieved 2013-04-07
  9. ↑ Robertson, Alex. "I See a Darkness" Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 2013-04-07
  10. ↑ Acclaimed Music
  11. ↑ Top 101-200 Favourite Albums Ever : The Stylus Magazine List - Article - Stylus Magazine
  12. ↑ Acclaimed Music Forum
  13. ↑ http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/5923-top-100-albums-of-the-1990s/10/ Top 100 Albums of the 1990s
  14. ↑ http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/699-i-see-a-darkness/