- Critic score
- Publication
- By date
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FilterA beautifully wrought collection of ballads for the brokenhearted. [#11, p.96]
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It's definitely nothing like the laid-back experience of listening to him live, but it's his best album yet.
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PopMattersReview 1: A fulfilling collection of songs that can be enjoyed start to finish. [score=80]; Review 2: An album that seems overlong and out of focus. [score=60]
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MagnetThe slowly picked guitar, the detailed songwriting, the harmonica and the intriguing, plain-spoken lyrics are all here. [#64, p.96]
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Chances are it'll grow on ya.
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Although the record is saved from complete disaster with its musical accompaniments... Elk-Lake Serenade is outrageously lonely and cumbersome.
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The lyrics and musicianship are of the quality to be expected from Hayden, but something’s a little... boring about Elk Lake Serenade.
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Elk-Lake is a benign, restful listen, showing a once-unwieldy, always-vibrant creative mind having found a peaceful medium. While it's easy to appreciate the man's development, this blunted songwriting is somewhat less resonant-- and seems somehow less Hayden.
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Although most of the songs are good individually, the record is fairly monochromatic, and it can get a bit tiresome listening to it from start to finish.
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Q MagazineLike a technology-phobic Beck, Desser tells his off-kilter tales with a wry eye. [Sep 2004, p.119]
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The overarching narrative structure and sequencing make this album a well-conceived exercise in storytelling.
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MojoHayden's delicate little songs are potent, precious things indeed. [Oct 2004, p.110]
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Built on acoustic guitars with little splashes of color like handclaps, tooting horn sections, and subtle strings, the record sounds remarkably large in its smallness.
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UncutHayden's nagging melodies and deadpan delivery occupy their own peculiar kingdom. [Sep 2004, p.102]
Awards & Rankings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 6 out of 9
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Mixed: 3 out of 9
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Negative: 0 out of 9
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PeejMar 22, 2007This is a great album from an accomplished singer/songwriter.
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EmrahSMar 14, 2006Great !
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LawrencePJun 28, 2005I think this is his best effort yet.