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April
by Sun Kil Moon

Sun Kil Moon reviews
Critic Score
Metascore: 81 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
8.8 out of 10
based on 24 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 25 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album

This is the third album for the group led by Mark Kozelek, who also wrote and produced the album.

LABEL: Caldo Verde
RELEASE DATE: 01 April 2008
DISCS: 2 disc
GENRE(S): Rock, Indie

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...

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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91
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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90
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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90
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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90
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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83
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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80
Uncut
Few chronicle heartbreak with such methodical, forensic attention. [May 2008, p.111]
80
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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80
Billboard
Throughout, Kozelek connects memory to emotion with masterful strokes.
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80
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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80
Dusted Magazine
If April demonstrates Kozelek’s predilection for reaching backwards, in places it also finds him broadening his range.
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80
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.
80
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]
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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80
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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70
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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70
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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70
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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70
Alternative Press
The best comparison for April is Neil Young. [June 2008, p.131]
70
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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70
Tiny Mix Tapes
So, caveat auditor: this album is deep and often rich, but it definitely wants, even requires, you to pay attention.
Read Full Review
64
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.
Read Full Review
60
Rolling Stone
The pace can be a problem, but the music is long on understated beauty.
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60
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.
Read Full Review

What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this album is 8.8 (out of 10) based on 25 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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