Didn't He Ramble
by Glen Hansard
  • Record Label: Epitaph
  • Release Date: Sep 18, 2015
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
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  1. Magnet
    Sep 22, 2015
    90
    For anyone who would like to experience all of Hansard's estimable gifts in a single listening session, he has thoughtfully provided a compendium of his patented brilliance on Didn't He Ramble. [No. 124, p.56]
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  2. Exclaim
    Sep 16, 2015
    90
    Didn't He Ramble shimmers, saunters and charms; Hansard has never sounded so good.
  3. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    Sep 16, 2015
    85
    Ultimately, though, regardless of whether Hansard is cribbing moves from his own country's heritage, or from one of the biggest rock stars in American history, he manages to make it all his own thanks to the quality of his songwriting and the passion behind his performances.
  5. Clash Music
    Oct 15, 2015
    80
    He might ramble sometimes, but his ramblings are like the songs of angels.
  6. The Telegraph (UK)
    Oct 13, 2015
    80
    He brings his expressive voice and interesting lyric-writing to traditional-minded Irish ballads.... Class.
  7. Classic Rock Magazine
    Oct 6, 2015
    80
    Hansard says of his emotional, spiritual and musical journey to complete this record. He’s succeeded. Ramble on, indeed.
  8. Q Magazine
    Oct 1, 2015
    80
    There's a real craftman at work here. [Nov 2015, p.111]
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  9. AllMusic
    Sep 24, 2015
    80
    loss. Didn't He Ramble shows that as a performer and a songwriter, Hansard can create powerful and satisfying work that's up to the standard he set with the Frames, and this is a step up from 2012's impressive but uneven Rhythm and Repose.
  10. American Songwriter
    Sep 18, 2015
    80
    Production by longtime collaborator Thomas Bartlett and ex-Frames member David Odlum is inviting, alluring and engaging. It pushes Hansard into his finest performances yet on originals that are haunting, poignant and beautifully conceived.
  11. Mojo
    Sep 14, 2015
    80
    A triumphant second solo chapter. [Oct 2015, p.98]
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  12. Under The Radar
    Oct 8, 2015
    70
    What makes Ramble so musically interesting are guests like Sam Beam (Iron and Wine) and Sam Amidon and the production from Thomas Bartlett (The National, Doveman).
  13. PopMatters
    Sep 17, 2015
    70
    This record feels less about heartache and more about introspection, patriotism, encouragement and healing--and it works.
  14. Uncut
    Sep 14, 2015
    70
    A confident advance on 2012's Rhythm And Repose. [Oct 2015, p.77]
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  15. Consequence
    Sep 14, 2015
    67
    While it might not capture his energy, Didn’t He Ramble fully illustrates Hansard’s deep empathy.
  16. Rolling Stone
    Sep 14, 2015
    60
    Hansard too often lapses into his trademark brooding melodrama--an easy fallback for a singer who's at his best, nowadays, when he's trying something new.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 2 out of 9
  1. Ricko
    Mar 24, 2016
    8
    Since moving from his role as frontman of Irish indie rock darlings The Frames, Hansard, across a number of Eps and a previous solo album, hasSince moving from his role as frontman of Irish indie rock darlings The Frames, Hansard, across a number of Eps and a previous solo album, has produced consistently high quality work, if a lot more mellow and AOR than his previous job. Debut solo album "Rhythm and Repose" was the sound of middle aged Glen still not quite at peace with who he was. In the meantime we've had the decent "Drive All Night" EP and the excellent Jason Molina tribute EP, "It Was Triumph We Once Proposed". The latter hinted that Hansard was ready to perhaps head back to his folk rock roots. On solo outing number 2, "Didn't He Ramble", Hansard has gone into folk overdrive but has completely held back the rock. Hansard, perhaps for the first time, at least sounds happy with where he is and where he is going even if he doesn't necessarily feel it. "Didn't He Ramble" is another fine if a little restrained offering, one that can only truly be appreciate by someone who has a little bit of life behind them. It leans somewhat towards a country sound but to those who have followed Hansard closely over the years this will come as no major surprise as he always threw nods to the likes of Will Oldham and Johnny Cash. Producer and member of The Gloaming, Thomas Barlett has an involvement behind the controls for the record and it is where Bartlett's touch is most prominent that "Didn't He Ramble" really sparkles. At the centre of this americana styled country folk album is a gem of a song that is furthest removed from americana and closest to the celtic folk bloodline. "McCormack's Wall" is a piano driven ballad that breaks into an Irish trad session at regular intervals and manages to work perfectly. It sounds like a hybrid of Boxer era The National and Bartlett's own band The Gloaming. One of Hansards most beautiful and poignant tracks to date and mores the pity that it stands alone as the only truly great song on "Didn't He Ramble". Overall, this is a decent record from Hansard but perhaps lacks the emotional gravitas of his best work.… Full Review »
  2. mau1
    Dec 4, 2015
    0
    Hansard too often lapses into his trademark brooding melodrama--an easy fallback for a singer who's at his best, nowadays, when he's tryingHansard too often lapses into his trademark brooding melodrama--an easy fallback for a singer who's at his best, nowadays, when he's trying something new.… Full Review »
  3. tannerparsons
    Sep 20, 2015
    9
    This record is great. The songs are not as catchy as most of the tunes on R&R, but they are much deeper. And the instrumentation on thisThis record is great. The songs are not as catchy as most of the tunes on R&R, but they are much deeper. And the instrumentation on this record is phenomenal.… Full Review »
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