Ballad Of The Broken Seas
by Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan
  • Record Label: V2
  • Release Date: Mar 7, 2006
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Drowned In Sound
    80
    Any fears of a dangerous liaison are soon sent packing as opener ‘Deus Ibi Est’ thud-thuds its way to attention.
  2. Pitchfork
    72
    While Campbell's contributions to the album are far from negligible, the thing reeks of Lanegan, aligning itself with the hard-bitten American roots music of his solo albums.
  3. Los Angeles Times
    75
    While "Ballad of the Broken Seas" is a fine set of folk-tinged and blues-rooted art-pop, with ballads of haunted beauty in the mold of Cave and Cohen and some frisky, up-tempo diversions, ethereal Scottish chanteuse Campbell and whiskey-voiced Seattle refugee Lanegan remain disappointingly disconnected from each other. [5 Mar 2006]
  5. musicOMH.com
    90
    They have formed the most remarkable of pairings, crafting an album of such beauty that past reference is made redundant.
  6. Prefix Magazine
    90
    Ballad of the Broken Seas is mysterious and theatrical and totally cool.
  7. AllMusic
    80
    Ballad of the Broken Seas is a superbly crafted bit of late-night introspection that brings out the best in both Lanegan and Campbell.
  8. BBC collective
    80
    Together, they’re a marriage made in musical haven.
  9. Tiny Mix Tapes
    70
    Despite the modern production quality, the overall feel of Ballad Of The Broken Seas is unerringly timeless.
  10. The Guardian
    60
    There's a creepy chemistry between them.
  11. E! Online
    83
    The music is as fine as the pairing is strange.
  12. Stylus Magazine
    83
    That’s why there’s no cacophony and very little white noise: the finished product is essentially of a common mind.
  13. Lost At Sea
    90
    This is proof that Campbell made the right decision in leaving Belle And Sebastian.
  14. New Musical Express (NME)
    90
    [Has] the unmistakable feel of an instant classic. [28 Jan 2006, p.34]
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  15. Under The Radar
    90
    Lanegan's smoky voice suits these songs perfectly, and when combined with Campbell's angelic whisper and lush but not overdone orchestration, the result is a sound that is naturally mysterious and utterly affecting. [#12, p.89]
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  16. Dot Music
    70
    So while this isn't "The Desert Sessions" - sadly, Isobel Campbell is no Polly Harvey - "Ballad Of The Broken Seas" remains an engaging curio whilst we wait to see what both artists do next.
  17. Playlouder
    80
    '...Broken Seas', though understated and pretty, tingles with furtive sexual chemistry.
  18. Mojo
    80
    A gentle triumph. [Jan 2006, p.130]
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  19. Uncut
    80
    Recalls Lee Hazlewood and Nancy Sinatra in the way it mingles dark and light, hard and soft, innocence and experience. [Feb 2006, p.80]
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  20. Q Magazine
    60
    Play[s] the kitsch-folk game with real panache. [Feb 2006, p.101]
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  21. Alternative Press
    60
    A match-up like this one needs the right balance between angel and devil, and... Campbell's fragile alto is just no match for Lanegan. [May 2006, p.162]
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  22. Filter
    82
    The two come together to create something more than an album of contrasts. [#19, p.95]
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  23. Spin
    75
    The skeletal guitars, stylized strings, and rhythmic clatter are enough of a flashlight under the chin to spook up these campfire tales. [Mar 2006, p.95]
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  24. Dusted Magazine
    60
    In the end, there is nothing too paradigm-shifting to be found here, just a nice genre pastiche from two unique talents who won’t disappoint their fans.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. EdwardF
    Dec 20, 2006
    10
    Beautiful. Anyone looking for Mark Lanegan's predictably heart-wrenching, tobaco stained blues will not be disappointed. Also, it finds Beautiful. Anyone looking for Mark Lanegan's predictably heart-wrenching, tobaco stained blues will not be disappointed. Also, it finds it's way into the hearts of people looking for classic "miss-match" duet, with Campbels ethereal, often haunting vocals floating mostly in the background to Lanegan's whiskey flavoured growl creating the perfect counter-points for the two artists to work. The album lulls it's lister into a deep slumber with images of the duo sitting in the haze of a smoking pub, still wondering how this unshaven, time-warn grunge rocker from Seattle managed to stumble upon the seemingly untainted, sweet Glaswegian folk singer. But regardless of how it happened I am very happy they did, because what we see is two artists suited so well for each other artisticly and I hope to see further work from them.… Full Review »
  2. time
    Aug 10, 2006
    8
    Very dark and sexy!
  3. MihalisK
    Mar 13, 2006
    7
    Good mixture of the deep voice of M.Lanegan and the ethereal one of Isobel C. Best song the "Black Mountain". Unfortunetaly after the Good mixture of the deep voice of M.Lanegan and the ethereal one of Isobel C. Best song the "Black Mountain". Unfortunetaly after the excelent first three songs i can't find another equally good song.… Full Review »
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