Common as Light and Love Are Red Valleys of Blood
by Sun Kil Moon
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
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  1. Paste Magazine
    Mar 6, 2017
    76
    Each new Sun Kil Moon album both further acquaints and distances the listener with Mark Kozelek.
  2. Drowned In Sound
    Mar 7, 2017
    70
    There is never a singular anecdote or scheme with Kozelek, as he bounces around from topic to topic, providing a kaleidoscope of information in one song.
  3. Drowned In Sound
    Mar 7, 2017
    70
    There is never a singular anecdote or scheme with Kozelek, as he bounces around from topic to topic, providing a kaleidoscope of information in one song.
  5. Rolling Stone
    Mar 3, 2017
    70
    Taking its place alongside recent work-in-progress-style releases by Kanye and Kendrick, it's an epic for our unfiltered moment.
  6. AllMusic
    Feb 23, 2017
    70
    At over two hours long, it's easily one of Mark Kozelek's most ambitious undertakings yet--or one of the most self-indulgent, depending on the listener's perspective.
  7. Sputnikmusic
    Feb 23, 2017
    66
    As a writer of the English language, Kozelek gets perfect marks; as a writer of songs, the jury is still out.
  8. Pitchfork
    Feb 28, 2017
    65
    As disorienting and overwhelming as any of Kozelek’s defining albums, Common as Light patiently reveals more of the artist to anyone who’s still paying attention.
  9. No Ripcord
    Mar 20, 2017
    60
    The themes explored throughout the record’s massive 130-minute runtime are remarkably current--for example the Orlando shootings and the Paris attacks--and it’s these moments where the album commands absolute attention. Not even Kozelek can command it entirely for 130 minutes, though.
  10. Consequence
    Feb 23, 2017
    50
    The double album concept only waters down Kozelek’s biting social commentary and exquisite observations on living.
  11. Exclaim
    Feb 23, 2017
    50
    It's too long, sprawling and musically unappetizing for many to be willing to sit and digest as a whole. Rather than being a record that you listen to countless times, it's more like an autobiographical book that you read once out of curiosity and shelve simply for the sake of collection.
  12. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Mar 21, 2017
    40
    Kozelek spends a lot of time on Common as Light giving us his broadly “common sense” liberal pluralist live-and-let-live shtick, punctuated by grumpy bashings of “hipster” culture and its parades of regenerated tenement buildings and juice bars, music journalists, and Father John Misty, but it’s only on 10-minute opener and standout track “God Bless Ohio” that he really bares his soul.

Awards & Rankings

85
#85 Most Shared Album of 2017

User Reviews

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User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 43 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 43
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 43
  3. Negative: 2 out of 43
  1. zacharystutland
    Apr 13, 2021
    10
    Mark’s most experimental album in his large catalogue, and in my opinion, the best
  2. OZMNDS
    Apr 1, 2021
    9
    If you take this album at face value and take out all of the irrelevant narratives created around Kozelek's name (separate the art from theIf you take this album at face value and take out all of the irrelevant narratives created around Kozelek's name (separate the art from the artist, please), this is simply a terrific spoken-word/hip-hop/folk/rock release. However, if you're not privy to patience then I suggest you veer away from this release, for it is a longggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg album.… Full Review »
  3. KenErdedy
    Oct 31, 2017
    10
    I find it hard to ignore this album most days of the week. Ever since it's release I have been captivated by the amount of words Kozelek canI find it hard to ignore this album most days of the week. Ever since it's release I have been captivated by the amount of words Kozelek can say and continue to keep me on the edge of my seat. Benji (2014), referred to by some as the magnum opus of the SKM discography, has been said to be the Great American Novel (https://www.theawl.com/2014/02/is-sun-kil-moons-benji-the-great-american-novel/) and if this is true, the 2017 work of Common As Light and Love Are Red Valleys of Blood is the next step in that story-telling process that not only tells a great story, but also encapsulates the timeliness of these ideas Kozelek is sharing. It wouldn't take a mad scientist to see back in '15 where America was likely headed in the coming years, and it is clear that this misfortune was on Kozelek's mind. The mixed reviews I have seen over the last few months have not surprised me with the emphasis on Pitchfork's 6.5 that was given following a 9.2 for the much shorter and sweeter Benji album. People want to be taken to a place that isn't necessarily spoon feeding, but the moment you get too specific and ugly about something, they want to let you know you've lost them. The listener/audience isn't necessarily the main focus in this one. There are times when Kozelek is really reaching out and you can hear it on a few tracks that sound like SKM of old, but on others he is experimenting with sound and the whole song making process (quite literally on track #14, 'Vague Rock Song') while quickly looking inward and staying on the meta focus of the body of work as a whole. The subtle but recurring references of terrorism, Muhammed Ali wisdom, and media influence keep things pretty interesting while Mark goes on a 2 hour rant about just what exactly is going on and how its affecting him and his perspective on living. I can clearly see this album wasn't made with intention of garnering any kind of specific audience and swapped with pure joy for what one can do with some time, understanding, and a keen sense of humor. Great job Mark Kozelek!… Full Review »
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