Blues Funeral
by Mark Lanegan
  • Record Label: 4AD
  • Release Date: Feb 7, 2012
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 22 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
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  1. BKM
    Feb 21, 2012
    8
    Blues Funeral is a dark, lyrical and hypnotic piece of alt-rock/blues with a strong electronic undercurrent. Listeners who are looking for something pop-pier and less murky will do well to look elsewhere. For those who appreciate the darker side of things, it is an album to savor.
  2. GalisCooper
    Mar 1, 2012
    4
    When Mark Lanegan produces a mediocre electro-pop album, then you know for sure, humanity is doomed! There are some decent songs in, but if you expect the raw, emotional, melancholy masterpieces of years past you're in for an unpleasant surprise.
  3. listener
    Feb 12, 2012
    9
    Great! I'm blown away,particularly with those songs driven by more noticeable electropop influence,kind of new moment in Lanegan's canon.And 'Ode to Sad Disco' is the very best disco song I heard in ages!
  4. Obi1
    Feb 7, 2012
    10
    A stunning, stunning album, and surely contender for album of the year, even at this early stage. Quite possibly the high point of Lanegan's career to date, this sees him in imperious voice, casting his weary eye over scorched landscapes of the heart. That he manages to fuse all the elements of his back catalogue and add an electronic twist to reflect his own listening habits is testimonyA stunning, stunning album, and surely contender for album of the year, even at this early stage. Quite possibly the high point of Lanegan's career to date, this sees him in imperious voice, casting his weary eye over scorched landscapes of the heart. That he manages to fuse all the elements of his back catalogue and add an electronic twist to reflect his own listening habits is testimony to an artist firing on all cylinders. And then some. Beg steal or borrow a copy of this. Or, if your principles are on straight, buy one and let Mark know you love him.… Expand
  5. splodge1971
    Mar 14, 2012
    10
    On blues funeral Mark Lanegan has added some some 80s style electronics to his usual bleak mixture of alternative rock and rootsy blues; surprisingly this works incredibly well; and tunes like ode to sad disco and, in particular, Harbour View Hospital are real highlights on what is probably his best album yet.
  6. captaindobey
    Mar 15, 2012
    10
    Mr Lanegan does it again. A very very special record. You'll struggle to hear anything better this year. This will deservedly feature in most right minded folks best of/top 10 lists come December. A "Let England Shake" for 2012.
  7. AlexxTrusc
    Apr 26, 2012
    9
    The seventh LP of Mark Lanegan surprised me completely. As indicated by the evocative title of the album, the CD is blues one, but it is blues combined with electronics, and in conjunction with the vocals of the artist it gave great results - just listen to the single "The Gravedigger's Song" or "Riot In My House" . Although the blues reigns on the album also in ballads: lethargicThe seventh LP of Mark Lanegan surprised me completely. As indicated by the evocative title of the album, the CD is blues one, but it is blues combined with electronics, and in conjunction with the vocals of the artist it gave great results - just listen to the single "The Gravedigger's Song" or "Riot In My House" . Although the blues reigns on the album also in ballads: lethargic "Bleeding Muddy Water", backed by the deep bass "St. Louis Elegy" or careless "Phantasmagoria Blues" on the album are also songs inspired by other styles of music. It is worth mentioning alternative "Gray Goes Black" and "Quiver Syndrome", Radiohead styled "Tiny Grain Of Truth", or an acoustic "Deep Black Vanishing Train". The album was even a place for strictly club compositions : "Ode To Sad Disco" and "Harborview Hospital". Anyway - what you want to listen - it is done brilliantly.… Expand
  8. sharedsorrows
    Jan 17, 2013
    8
    Fabulous review. I've been listening to it on a streaming (official!) sharedsorrows.com - and you're not exaggerating. Ode to Sad Disco on paper sounded like a terrible idea but the execution is wonderful.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. Under The Radar
    Mar 21, 2012
    70
    Confirms what we already know. Mark Lanegan is worth his weight in musical gold.[Mar 2012, p.85]
  2. cokemachineglow
    Mar 12, 2012
    74
    Blues Funeral generally succeeds because Lanegan knows exactly what his audience wants and is willing to play to his strengths.
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  3. Chicago Tribune
    Mar 6, 2012
    50
    Lanegan remains a master of mood, his baritone croon one of rock's most inviting instruments. But even that voice can't patch over the weak spots on this inconsistent album.
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