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Tiny Mix Tapes

This album is ridiculously rhythmic.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Playlouder

Anyone expecting something similar to his early doom-laden musings will find nothing of the sort here.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Pitchfork

Woke on a Whaleheart is a deceptively easy listen-- steady, lulling, and vehemently organic-- but consequently, it can begin to feel invisible.

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Dusted Magazine

Bill Callahan's latest solo effort is so laid back that it almost never gets going at all.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Woke On A Whaleheart

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