Dream River - Bill Callahan
Dream River Image
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 31 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 10 Ratings

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  • Summary: The singer-songwriter's fourth studio release under his real name [he previously recorded under the name Smog] was recorded in Austin Texas.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Mojo
    Sep 19, 2013
    100
    Dream River may be Callahan's most beguiling album yet. [Oct 2013, p.89]
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  2. Exclaim
    Sep 18, 2013
    90
    Dream River is required reading, without a doubt.
  3. Beats Per Minute (formerly One Thirty BPM)
    Sep 24, 2013
    86
    Dream River is as evocative a record as he’s ever made and that’s saying quite a lot.
  4. American Songwriter
    Sep 11, 2013
    80
    In its strongest moments--though there are no real weak moments to speak of--Dream River presents a compelling, gorgeous sonic world in which to get blissfully lost.
  5. Consequence of Sound
    Sep 19, 2013
    80
    Thanks to the rich clarity of his delivery and the prominent place that the vocals take in the mix, Callahan’s lyrics cast a long shadow over the rest of the album, allowing the literary connotations to carry over into analysis.
  6. New Musical Express (NME)
    Sep 16, 2013
    80
    Of late he’s adopted a sweeter, eddying Americana, and Dream River takes a turn to lush country-soul.
  7. Under The Radar
    Sep 11, 2013
    50
    While the songs on Dream River aren't what anyone would consider pedestrian, they don't feel particularly daring or weighty. [Aug-Sep 2013, p.87]
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See all 31 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. mrpumpy
    Sep 20, 2013
    10
    Bill Callahan has taken the resolve and directness displayed so deftly on My Apocalypse and honed it by an unimaginable degree. Having been a fan from the SMOG days, I have to say this may be the most substantial statement I have heard from this speaker of stark truths. In addition, the music is sublime.… Expand
  2. Kas
    Sep 20, 2013
    9
    "Dream River" feels like a fulfillment of 2011's "Apocalypse," in both sound and sentiment. The introversion and existentialism of "Apocalypse" has resolved into contentment and personal outreach, and its backing musicians return sounding fuller and more vibrant. "Javelin Unlanding" quivers with energy, setting the flutes of "Apocalypse" amidst echoing vocals and galloping hand percussion. Guitarist Matt Kinsey brings melodic life Callahan's words, rising to a distorted climax during the sexual pleas of "Spring" and evoking an approaching storm midway through "Summer Painter." Bill's own emergence may start tentatively he's come out from reckoning with his demo tapes on the hotel bed from "Riding for the Feeling" to seek company in the lobby bar on "The Sing," only to find (in true Callahan fashion) all of its patrons asleep. Yet by "Small Plane" he is sharing the controls with a partner and lifting off the ground with ease, as fingerpicked electric guitars update the contemplative drift of "Riding." Yet it's slide-guitar lead that hearkens back furthest, to 1997's "To Be of Use", a context that lends his closing observation "I really am a lucky man" a feeling of hard-won reward. Though its range-y sound and dream-logic structure may put it behind 2009's "Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle" in terms of memorable songs, it's the way "Dream River" progresses so gracefully from the quietly brilliant "Apocalypse" that earns its stature among his best work.… Expand
  3. adhamhany
    Sep 20, 2013
    9
    This is a really terrific album. I put on my headphones and started listening to it while taking care of some stuff on my PC. Then i heard the second track (Javelin Unlanding), and it really caught my attention. After that, i completely dropped what i was doing and enjoyed this great work from this great man. This is an album best heard while sitting back and unwinding. Beautiful and subtle lyrics, mesmerizing music that provides the right complement to Bill Callahan's vocals. His voice is great as well. This is the first time i listen to his work, but i will definitely check out his discography as soon as i can.… Expand

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