Dark Was The Night - Various Artists
Dark Was The Night Image
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critics What's this?

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 11 Ratings

  • Summary: The compilation album features tracks from a variety of indie-rock/folk musicans to benefit Red Hot Organization, a charity for HIV/AIDS.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 20
  2. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Of 31 tracks, a few inevitably feel like throwaways; overall, though, it's a satisfying smorgasbord, and a nice fix for fans waiting on new records from indie stars like Arcade Fire, Yo La Tengo, and the Decemberists.
  2. The real point is that, as a compilation, Dark Was the Night far and away surpasses its predecessors-- even in an age when it should be irrelevant. Go buy it.
  3. As a document of the (musical) times, a beautiful, sundry package and admirable unification of today’s very finest towards a common goal, Dark Was The Night is unbeatable.
  4. 60
    While there is no quibbling with the noble sentiment behind this set, a more judicial selection policy might have established a unified aesthetic to eclipse some of the B-side material here. [Mar 2009, p.114]

See all 20 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. JesseM.
    10
    Uniformly, stunning work. Nevermind the cause, the music leaves you breathless and out of a compilation comes something that has coalesced around the Dessner's work at the assembly line. **** all those "NPR-friendly" type review attitudes copping a pose for their editors, this is genuine music done genuinely. Expand
  2. JimM
    9
    The Comp as a whole shows how the indie rock cream rises to the top in today's music industry, but I was really expecting more from the Arcade Fire and Chan Marshall should have put in a little more effort than simply rephrasing "Amazing Grace." Expand
  3. EricC
    9
    This is the rare kind of compilation that functions beautifully as an album instead of as a mix tape. Every single track is from an incredibly prolific band or musician, and everyone dedicates so much heart and talent in to their songs. Guys I personally normally don't care for (Antony Hegarty, in particular) contribute stunning vocal work. It may never get too adventerous, and most tracks tend to be singer-songwriter fair, even from the more rockin' bands. But for it's ceaseless elegance and heartbreaking beauty, I can't recommend it enough. It's probably the best album I've heard so far this year. Collapse