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100

Paste Magazine

This sense of loneliness haunts Kozelek’s best work, and it’s in full force throughout April, arguably the finest album of his career.

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The Onion (A.V. Club)

April, his third full-length under the Sun Kil Moon moniker, and the first made up of new songs since 2003, easily bears the weight of expectations, proving once again that he really does transcend any slowcore or singer-songwriter tags that have been tossed his way.

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Sputnikmusic

But really, it's Kozelek's voice in all its imperfect glory that makes April (and indeed all of his other work) as wonderful as it is.

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Sputnikmusic

Mark Kozelek defines the term “artist” and April is yet another notch on his belt, an enveloping experience that calmly and quietly wins its way into your heart.

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All Music Guide

Kozelek is simply continuing on his way here, but that said, to stand apart from all the superlatives and just get lost in his creation here, he has made the best record of his career.

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Pitchfork

The album draws its power not simply from the quality of Kozelek's songwriting, but from the close intertwining of words and music, which makes his albums much more essential than any book he could ever publish.

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Uncut

Few chronicle heartbreak with such methodical, forensic attention. [May 2008, p.111]

Delusions of Adequacy

As with Mark's other musical incarnations, whether as Red House Painters or under his own name, a fine-tuned and patient ear, and a good turn of the volume knob towards high, is required to fully appreciate the nuances of his music.

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Billboard

Throughout, Kozelek connects memory to emotion with masterful strokes.

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Slant Magazine

The effect of all this quietness and patient exploration of song structure can be transcendent or it can be incredibly boring, and for both better and worse, April is more of the same.

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Dusted Magazine

If April demonstrates Kozelek’s predilection for reaching backwards, in places it also finds him broadening his range.

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Mojo

This third Sun il Moon album demonstrates Kozelek spinning luminescent textural webs on original compositions which, like the ravishing 'Moorestown,' rank among his very finest.

Under The Radar

April lulls and hums with the tranquil peace of solitude and ranks as Kozelek's most focused, and highest achievement. [Spring 2008, p.80]

Drowned In Sound

At times hypnotic in their understatement, every so often they gently erupt with vivid melodies that bring the underlying air of tension to its peak.

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Boston Globe

April, the third Sun Kil Moon album by Kozelek and friends, has several such sweet spots, the kind we hope will never end.

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Magnet

As lovely as that sounds, April loses momentum under such a reserved approach.

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No Ripcord

Much of April is quite lovely. Sure, it sounds like one long song to me, but it’s a nice song, with subtle variations.

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Village Voice

A song or two will keep you warm and contented, but take in the full album and April will smother you worse than a down comforter in July.

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PopMatters

Though its scope and scale are nothing short of admirable, April is far from perfect: Kozelek largely places it safe with his arrangements this time out, shying away form the loud rock guitars and pop songs that marked the final days of the Painters.

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Alternative Press

The best comparison for April is Neil Young. [June 2008, p.131]

Almost Cool

Not as good as the best work from Kozelek, and a long shot from the worst, April is a solid, if not surprising album that should be just enough for fans.

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Tiny Mix Tapes

So, caveat auditor: this album is deep and often rich, but it definitely wants, even requires, you to pay attention.

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cokemachineglow

There’s not much to be said about an album that exists exactly as it should, satisfied by its own completion and purpose and really looking to nothing else for motivation or worth or whatever.

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Rolling Stone

The pace can be a problem, but the music is long on understated beauty.

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Spin

On their third album, this San Francisco–based, Mark Kozelek–led bunch stumble over saccharine set-opener "Lost Verses" (which channels icky Young wannabes America with less success than Midlake) en route to a beautifully depressing array of funereal folk.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 8.8 (out of 10) based on 26 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Mike E. gave it a6:
After the perfection of Ghosts of the Great Highway, Tiny Cities was a letdown, but this is just...kinda vanilla. Am I hearing the same album as everyone else? After 6 listens, only the second half is starting to grow on me. Of course this album is better than almost anything else out there these days, but the melodies just aren't there this time around. I guess anything's disappointing after Ghosts.

Guy H. gave it a9:
Ah, the wonderful 'April'. This reminds me of the RHP album Old Ramon more than the Sun Kil Moon debut - which is to say it is an intense, sprawling album that requires several listens before you can begin to fully appreciate it as a whole. 'Ghosts' had a lightness of touch and the songs for the most part were more concise - I miss that and have to admit I was expecting Mark to continue in that direction. However, now that I've lived with 'April' for 2 weeks I can barely find fault with it. 'Heron Blue', 'Bilbao' and the heart wrenching (even by Mark's standards so that is saying something!) 'Blue Orchids' are just perfect. Will Oldham pops in to sing on a few tracks and as you'd expect it is a perfect vocal marriage - and adds some welcome variety. Don't believe me - listen to Mark's solo version of 'Like a River' on the second disc and try not add in Will's backing vocals - it sounds naked without them. A contendor for best of the year and one to file alongside the triumphant return of Amercan Music Club (The Golden Age).

E H gave it a10:
Wonderful album...rich, deep, not disparate sounding, but varied and adventurous enough to keep interest throughout. What it lacks in the diversity of sound of the previous GOTGH album it makes up for in sheer beauty.

Harold S. gave it a10:
This is an amazing album.

Johan S. gave it a10:
Masterpiece in the crapworld of Rock 'n Roll these days!

Andy S. gave it a10:
This is a masterpiece from Mark and co. The opening song takes flight and never lands. The band hits a constant groove and the vocals have never been better

Art F. gave it a10:
Such heartbreaking beauty. Just blows me away.

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