Customer Reviews

Joya

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I think the songs on this album sound a little stronger than on other albums. If this is a good thing or not, I can't say. All I can say is that the resulting CD is one of my favourite Palace-linked records. I like this one better than Arise Therefore (with its drum programming) and almost as much as Viva Last Blues or I see a darkness! It definitely takes a while to get into this one, but once you've accomplished that, you're on for a lifetime of joy...ah!

"Joya" and "I See A Darkness" are utter masterpieces. If you like one then buy the other immediately. The rest of the Oldham oeuvre is worth having too, but these two are the pinnacle.

At first, it may seem dingy, purposefully clumsy, lame. Occasionally rocking, but nothing special. Then the iris opens, and its perfection is revealed. I have long claimed to not be so crazy about Will Oldham -- "I like more rockin stuff, less affected stuff" -- but the truth is, I rarely listen to this album just once through anymore -- I am ALWAYS hitting play once it's over. You have to give it time, though. Bravo, gentlemen! Robert Arellano who plays guitar on this just published a novel with Akashic books. And David Pajo... oh, Pajo!

If you're familiar with will oldham, his style, his wit, you might find this album encompassing all...Like any of his albums, arise therefore primarily, it takes more than one or two listens to really appreciate...In fact, it took me about a month to really understand its own twisted poignancy- For example on the best friends number, "...and brought him to the waterline/, and constrained him while he struggled for air/ and as as i pulled him back and kissed him/, and we both went off in a hurry to the fair"...his understanding of the dydactic paradox of love and hate are brilliant, backwater, and touching to even the most cynical. Will's voice throughout the album is so much stronger than it used to be, as he's created his own sound based upon his earlier pubescent ramblings and those of the cowboys of yore...my roomate insists that this is music to listen alone to, or at least not while he's around, if you get my drift...a must have for palace fans...

Maybe this is one of those albums that gets better over time after you have listened to it for a few times. I've tried, I've really tried.

I am a big Palace fan since I first heard "New Partner" on the radio and have collected a lot of Oldham's music since. This is my least favorite album. None of the songs stick, the melody's are not outspoken and the lyrics are not the best he has ever done. Of course there are some songs that are not bad like 'Bolden Boke Boy' but the overal tone of the album is just not that good.

However, having read the other reviews, I'll try to listen to it a little more and maybe I will change my mind, in that case you will hear from me with a new revies.

but not my favorite palace album. That would be There is No One. Anyway, I just spent too much time checking out the reviews for James Blunt, and was befuddled at how many people passionately love him, when he obviously isn't that good. I really think what's going on there is that people want him to be deep and a genius so they make him one-so they get to listen to "deep" music without having to be challenged in any way. I know music is personal, but Blunt is tripe. But here, with Mr. Oldham, I could understand how opinions could defer so widely. His music is difficult, and therefore when you like it, it is really a personal, intimate thing. I love this album, and maybe even if you don't you could understand how someone could, unlike Mr. Blunt's pablum.

I love everything else he's done but this album has always seemed LACKING to me. It's got a few great songs but a lot of it seems RUSHED, a bit too jokey and loose, and the lyrics are definitely sub-par compared to ARISE THEREFORE.

this album is brilliant, will oldham is a genious..one of my favorites, together with I see a darkness. I reccomend this album to anyone who is a fan of relaxing and beautiful music.