Common as Light and Love Are Red Valleys of Blood

1. zacharystutland

   Apr 13, 2021

   10

   Mark’s most experimental album in his large catalogue, and in my opinion, the best

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2. JustinHowell

   Mar 22, 2017

   10

   This, right here, is the best record of the year so far, full stop. I was not expecting to love this thing so much, but I did.
   
   TheThis, right here, is the best record of the year so far, full stop. I was not expecting to love this thing so much, but I did.
   
   The instrumentation is super solid on this thing, but that's not what makes it so great. It's frontman Mark Kozelek that makes this album so incredibly amazing.
   
   The album is literally just an endless stream of thoughts. It's well over two hours long, and it is in no way conventionally written. It's just - again- an endless stream of Marks thoughts.
   
   The album is written from his 49th birthday on January 24th 2016 through Christmas 2016, and it seems that throughout this time period, Mark would occasionally just pick up a journal, and start writing down his thoughts with no rhyme or real cadence, and it's just absolutely fascinating to delve into this man's mind, especially considering how absolutely crazy of a year 2016 was.
   
   For instance, on one of the more chilling moments on the record, we get to listen to his initial reaction to David Bowie dying, and hear as he discusses that one of his friends said to expect a lot more celebrities to die before the end of the year, right before he goes off on a tangent about how much he admires Mohammad Ali. Then, later on the record, there's a song in which he reacts to Mohammad Ali's death.
   
   Not only do we get to delve into Mark's thought process throughout various experiences, we get to hear his general sentiments regarding life and events throughout last year, from the the whole transgender people in bathrooms debacle, to the terrorist attacks is France, and it's absolutely amazing.
   
   This guy is funny and witty and it's incredibly fun to listen to him. The album is again, well over two hours long, but you're not going to spend a single solitary second of it anywhere near close to getting bored. This is an *over two hour* album, but at the end of it, I didn't want it to be over!
   
   Mark Kozelek proves here that expository, introspective records don't need to be tedious and super pretentious. He shows that they can be fun and totally engrossing.
   
   I didn't find aspect of anything on this entire record from the instrumentals to, of course, Mark's performance objectionable, and therefore, I see no reason to take any points off of this thing.
   
   Meaning that, while I've done music reviews sporadically for over 2 years, and have never ever given out a perfect score, even though I've reviewed some genuinely great albums, I'm ready to give this my *first ever* perfect 10!
   
   -Justin Howell, Music Lover… Expand

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4. 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!… Expand

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5. ClumsyCreator

   Feb 24, 2017

   9

   I knew the second after listening to this album it'd be incredibly divisive. Kozelek's long winded stories from Universal Themes and BenjiI knew the second after listening to this album it'd be incredibly divisive. Kozelek's long winded stories from Universal Themes and Benji make a comeback. However they seem to be a lot less personal and more focused on the current events in the world and his thoughts on them. On top of that they're a hell of a lot longer too.
   
   The music you'd typically expect on a Sun Kil Moon record (soft guitars, pleasant sad melodies) have almost been completely replaced with these long winded repetitive beats that could almost be called Hip-Hop at times. With songs going on for an average of 7 minutes I expected to be bored of them but they make sudden or subtle changes to mix it up. Really the music almost takes a backseat to the lyrics themselves. This really feels like a rant album about the current state of the world. I think my only complaint is that clocking in at over 2 hours long, things can blend together a little and rob certain later songs of some of their impact.… Expand

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6. 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.… Expand

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7. Paulo_Jorge

   Mar 1, 2017

   9

   Apparently critics hate when an artist takes his time to hammer truth about politics and media, breaking the fourth wall at times. At the timeApparently critics hate when an artist takes his time to hammer truth about politics and media, breaking the fourth wall at times. At the time that I'm writting this it's at 64/100, I mean, it's really bizarre how critics can f* up sometimes.
   
   Common as Light and Love is Kozelek, an intimate album in which he gave us 2 hours to know a little more about his story, his beliefs and personal opinions, may that be done by his usual folk style as it is on "God Bless Ohio" and "I Love Portugal", or by his experimentations with various genres, even resembling rap structures as in "Philadelphia Cop" or breaking the fourth wall as in "Seventies TV Show Theme Song".
   
   Funny thing, critics usually complains about artists that are lacking at creativity and experimentation, well, Sun Kil Moon is far from being that with this new LP, I really don't get it critics.… Expand

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8. Inresurrection

   Mar 1, 2017

   1

   Mark Kozelek is an insufferable human being with insufferable music and even more insufferable lyrics. He made a huge mistake when he wentMark Kozelek is an insufferable human being with insufferable music and even more insufferable lyrics. He made a huge mistake when he went solo. Red House Painters are cool. This album, and Sun Kil Moon, are not.… Expand

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