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  • Release Date:
Haunted Image
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 71 Ratings

  • Summary: Poe's second album is a concept album, of sorts, about the death of her father (noted documentarian Tad Danielewski). Partially based on the autobiographical novel House of Leaves by Poe's brother Mark Z. Danielewski, 'Haunted' utilizes tapes of her father's voice as well as a mix of darkPoe's second album is a concept album, of sorts, about the death of her father (noted documentarian Tad Danielewski). Partially based on the autobiographical novel House of Leaves by Poe's brother Mark Z. Danielewski, 'Haunted' utilizes tapes of her father's voice as well as a mix of dark electronic and organic sounds. Collapse

Top Track

Haunted
Ba da pa pa ba da pa pa... (x10) Come here Pretty please Can you tell me where I am? You Won't you say something? I need to get my bearings I'm... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Propelled by her aggressive but seductive voice, Haunted walks the line between dark, beat-driven trip-hop and warm, melodic pop. What separates the album from its competition is Poe?s smart and emotionally charged songwriting, rife with raw energy balanced by gorgeously understated hooks.
  2. The concept album is more than an afterthought, it's musically revelatory and one of the best records of the year.
  3. As uncomfortable as it is beautiful, Haunted's intense personal nature is both disturbing and compelling. It is less an album than an experience.
  4. 80
    Lyrically, Haunted progresses from timid to defiant, and ultimately to triumphant. Musically, Poe drifts confidently from trippy beats and spacy sounds to straight ahead rock and mellow, melancholic numbers, though not always in such a way as to strictly parallel the dramatic flow of the album's lyrics. All that means, though, is that this is a dynamic collection of songs and not merely the kind of high-minded rock opera that quickly goes from interesting novelty to pretentious joke. Ignore everything but what comes out of the speakers, and you've got a pop treasure that is as innovative and insightful as it is immediate and unforced.
  5. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    Haunted's evocative sound collages--guitar, voice samples, percussion, synth--broaden standard notions of "song" while steering clear of self-indulgent meandering. [11/3/2000, p.83]
  6. 70
    Haunted is largely a concept album. With 17 tracks, several clocking in at over five minutes a pop, it's a bit heavy to carry in its full weight. However, for listeners up for the challenge, it's a beautiful, psychological journey in audio.
  7. Unfortunately, Haunted reverberates with tired samples, rehashed echo effects and beats so plodding they could stop a metronome.

See all 9 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 46 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 46
  3. Negative: 0 out of 46
  1. ElaineM.
    Oct 28, 2002
    10
    I reccomend this CD to everyone that I know. It is Dark and Spiritual at the same time. I think that everyone should own a copy of this I reccomend this CD to everyone that I know. It is Dark and Spiritual at the same time. I think that everyone should own a copy of this album...I own 2! Expand
  2. Brenda
    Jan 13, 2002
    10
    Simply stunning from beginning to end. One of my all-time favorites, it has been in my CD changer for over a year now, and gets played daily. Simply stunning from beginning to end. One of my all-time favorites, it has been in my CD changer for over a year now, and gets played daily. Now, if only Poe would get the commercial recognition she so richly deserves... Expand
  3. Mar 6, 2016
    10
    This is my favorite album of all time. Poe manages to tell two or even three incredibly deep and poignant stories. Much like brother Mark'sThis is my favorite album of all time. Poe manages to tell two or even three incredibly deep and poignant stories. Much like brother Mark's 2000 novel House of Leaves (one of my favorite books) that Haunted is part-companion to, this is a multilayered art experience that you really do have to just dive into and let it affect you however it chooses to. Part-parallax piece to HoL, part-conversation with the ghost of her father, his voice layered and splintered throughout the tracks, and an all-out gift to her fans. Every track is layered with meaning and beautifully arranged. The concept-y "Exploration B" and "House of Leaves" are terrifying and perfect for setting the mood of the album. Hard rockers like "Could've Gone Mad", "Wild" (the callback to the opening of her freshman effort "Hello" is clever), and "Walk The Walk" have a drive and ferocity that I've rarely heard from any artist. The title track is beautiful and, pardon the pun, haunting. My overall favorite thing about Haunted is that it never seems to get old. Poe goes through every human emotion possible from grief, to rage, to happiness, to defiance, to catharsis, and every time I listen I get swept right up with her. Can't recommend highly enough. It's alright that Poe hasn't been able to release new music for awhile. Her opus is already near-perfect. Expand
  4. NatashaM
    Jun 14, 2003
    10
    Its a great album... its one of those albums that u just cant stop listening to... Its truely different compared to the rest of the music u Its a great album... its one of those albums that u just cant stop listening to... Its truely different compared to the rest of the music u hear nowadays, but its great in its entirety.. Expand
  5. MissyH
    Sep 3, 2005
    10
    Deep, unnerving, sneaks up on you at times, and love the lyrics. She says things that every woman's "daddy's little girl" inside Deep, unnerving, sneaks up on you at times, and love the lyrics. She says things that every woman's "daddy's little girl" inside wants to say. Shame really that Rolling Stone missed the mark on their review, seems that the rolling has stopped at the bank. Im a total fan and one of a growing number. Collapse
  6. MarkG
    Aug 8, 2006
    10
    This album could be put in the same class as Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon." Anyone who professes to not like it undoubtedly This album could be put in the same class as Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon." Anyone who professes to not like it undoubtedly doesn't understand and never gave it a full listen. This is the first POE that I ever heard, and I became an instant fan! There is not a bad song on this disc. Expand
  7. MattM.
    Jul 28, 2001
    7
    Poe's "Haunted" is odd, dark, bleak, and ultimately a good album. Filled with disturbing voices from the past and a raw energy that Poe's "Haunted" is odd, dark, bleak, and ultimately a good album. Filled with disturbing voices from the past and a raw energy that can't be described, the album is quite a journey. Overlong, but altogether a fine work. Expand

See all 46 User Reviews