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Zero 7
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
Woke On A Whaleheart

Generally favorable reviews
Based on 18 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 4 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Drag City
Release Date: 24 April 2007
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Indie, Rock
Summary
The singer-songwriter behind Smog [and its more parenthetical offshoot, (Smog)] returns with his first release under his given name.
Also By This Artist: Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle
Also On Metacritic
MUSIC: Smog: A River Ain't Too Much To Love Smog: Dongs Of Sevotion Smog: Rain On Lens Smog: Supper
Also On The Web: Drag City
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Lost At Sea
Woke On A Whaleheart is a pleasure, and aside from the intro to the song "Footprints," every moment on this record is immensely listenable.
Read Full Review >The Onion (A.V. Club)
While Callahan's Woke On A Whaleheart shares Smog's rumbly tone and rootsy foundations, it is a bit of a departure.
Read Full Review >Mojo
The music... still has the from-odd-angles of Smog records, but now there's exquisite light amid the shade. [Jun 2007, p.114]
Dot Music
Callahan's trademark cold brittle voice - part Lou Reed, part Droopy - remains intact, but musically and lyrically he's a lamb in springtime.
Read Full Review >Playlouder
Anyone expecting something similar to his early doom-laden musings will find nothing of the sort here.
Read Full Review >Hartford Courant
"Whaleheart" is sure to be one of the year's finest releases, which shouldn't come as news to anyone familiar with Callahan's singular, indelible songwriting.
Read Full Review >Under The Radar
A refined mix of Americana, country, and gospel. [#17, p.83]
Uncut
An album that shines light, albeit dimly, into hidden corners of the soul. [May 2007, p.100]
All Music Guide
It employs all his strengths as a writer of lyrics and music and stretches the canvas of his colorful if sparsely arranged tapestry.
Read Full Review >Paste Magazine
Mr. Callahan has finally completed his two-decade transformation from malevolent provocateur to aphoristic folk-rocker. [Apr 2007, p.59]
Alternative Press
The sound of an artist refreshed and renewed. [May 2007, p.150]
Prefix Magazine
It's far from his best work, but, as Callahan takes a detour into rootsy musical traditions such as country and gospel, it is a characteristically eccentric release.
Read Full Review >Pitchfork
Woke on a Whaleheart is a deceptively easy listen-- steady, lulling, and vehemently organic-- but consequently, it can begin to feel invisible.
Read Full Review >Dusted Magazine
Bill Callahan's latest solo effort is so laid back that it almost never gets going at all.
Read Full Review >Stylus Magazine
While I’ll stop short of saying that [co-producer Neil Michael] Hagerty ruined this record, I can definitively say that I’d love to hear what it would have sounded like before he got his hands on it.
Read Full Review >The New York Times
There are times when Mr. Callahan’s deliberate, word-centric approach seems merely perverse instead of brave, and somehow the album seems much shorter than its 40 minutes, as if it’s only a sketch for what’s next.
Read Full Review >Spin
Skirting the emotional depths that marked his past work, Callahan's new persona feels almost shallow. [May 2007, p.84]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 7.0 (out of 10) based on 4 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
rocco c. gave it an8:
Delicious.
