Climate of Hunter [Import, Original recording remastered]

Scott Walker | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 6, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Original recording remastered
• Label: EMI Europe Generic
• ASIN: B000A7SBMC
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #79,695 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

1984's Climate Of Hunter was Scott Walker's only album of the decade and his only for Virgin Records. It drew critical raves for its minimalist, trancelike ambience that showed him keeping abreast of cutting edge 80's rock trends. Digitally remastered for the first time and includes sleeve notes by Bob Stanley of Saint Etienne. Virgin. 2005.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fluid sonic sculpture, August 15, 2006

By 

James E. Anderson (Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Climate of Hunter (Audio CD)

I suspect this album will be loved by those who value the artistic experience of listening to the 2 subsequent albums ('Tilt' and 'the Drift', both of which I adore).

The musical language is to me comparatively more accessible, less dense, and less disquieting but still exciting in its originality, depth, and variety of shape and movement. There are passages where orchestral arrangements by Brian Gascoigne integrate perfectly with the non orchestral arrangements in a way that makes them essential to the artistic whole - a masterclass for musical arrangers.

However, with no disrespect to fine guitarists or hard rock and metal fans such as myself, I suspect the artistic integrity was compromised by Virgin Records in Track 3 and Track 7:

In the former, which was released as a single, the music continues the extremely high artistic level of the first 2 cuts until the guitar solo, which is of the typical high register, showy styles a la Kirk Hammett and other guitar heroes. If there HAD to be a solo I suspect the bassist Mo Foster could have given us a tasty treat more in keeping with the flow and mood.

Track 7 is perhaps initially tolerable despite the boringly simplistic rock drumming but then became unlistenable for me when a similar style of showy guitar soloing started. Someone else may like to comment on this track as I immediately skipped to the next and have no intention of trying it again (unless there's something not to be missed later in the piece).

The last track is the only non Walker written one - a very short but beautifully understated rendition of a traditional style blues with music by Kenyon Hopkins and words by Tennessee Williams - finishing the album nicely.

Regarding the rather intense poetry which forms the lyrics, I can only say at this stage in my comprehension that it's powerful. (I prefer to interpret while listening, contemplating what I've heard - for those who want to read the words, they are all printed on the insert).

As I say, if you like Walker's musical art I think you will love the experiences that listening to this CD will generate.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Genius, May 17, 2006

By 

B. van Dijk (Netherlands) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Climate of Hunter (Audio CD)

When you remember the hits of the Walker Brothers with their spacy wall of sound, you'll recognize something here.

Only thing is, there are no hits on this unique record.

I bought it in the eighties, but it's psychedelics here quite different from other music of the time.

Though its dreamlike but exalted sound is acquainted maybe to contemporary music like Associates, Dead Can Dance or even Arvo Pärt, it really is more of a prelude to the music of the Tindersticks, all on its own.

Lonely and wonderful.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars After 7-8 listens........., April 19, 2010

By 

great horse (georgia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Climate of Hunter (Audio CD)

Over the period of a year or so this one finally clicked with me. That is pretty typical for Walkers later work. At first I'm like Huh, what, I don't think I like this, and then pretty soon it's in my top ten and I play it every day. This is lighter fare than Tilt or The Drift but it is heading in that direction so you may want to try this one before entering into those "worlds" which are kind of scary and difficult. Or if you already have Tilt and Drift I suggest you go back and get this one which you will no doubt enjoy. Walker is the kind of artist where the listener is expected to do some work in order to be let into his world, it does take some effort but worth it in the long run. Excellent.