Here Is What Is
by Daniel Lanois
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Billboard
    80
    Lanois' sixth studio album is an eclectic mix of richly textured rock songs, mellow vibes and hypnotic instrumentals, interspersed with snippets from philosophical conversations with mentor Brian Eno.
  2. NOW Magazine
    80
    The album is chock full of solid songs.
  3. PopMatters
    80
    Throughout Here is What is, Lanois’ fifth, and best, record, we hear reverberations of the past, and meditations on the future.
  5. Filter
    80
    Lanois' impeccable production outshines his songwriting, but it's truly beautiful what this man can build. [Winter 2008, p.100]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Mojo
    80
    It's top quality stuff. [May 2008, p.106]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Hot Press
    80
    Uber-producer makes sublime soundtrack to documentary film.
  8. Uncut
    60
    This collection, like all of his work, conjures a world unto itself, drawing from seemingly random sources to weave a work of mystic, spiritual power. [May 2008, p.102]
    All this publication's reviews
  9. Q Magazine
    60
    It's an undeniably chin-stroking effort, songs revolving with quiet, Dire Straits-ian grace around a pedal-steel guitar, while a variety of vocalists take his musical atmospherics and run with them. [May 2008, p.135]
    All this publication's reviews
  10. AllMusic
    50
    If you still hold Lanois' earlier recordings to a high ideal, this may indeed frustrate you because it offers considerably more evidence that Lanois has lost his way as a musician.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 3 out of 8
  1. DmitriA.
    Apr 10, 2008
    10
    I'm new to Mr. Lanois' work - the first album of his I heard was 'Shine', but this album is very strong. It reaches the I'm new to Mr. Lanois' work - the first album of his I heard was 'Shine', but this album is very strong. It reaches the most important standard for music I know of: it stands up to repeated listening.… Full Review »
  2. MichaelE.
    Apr 8, 2008
    9
    This is a first class Lanois soundtrack album that once gain reveals that his solo albums (Acadie, For The Beauty of Wynona, Shine, This is a first class Lanois soundtrack album that once gain reveals that his solo albums (Acadie, For The Beauty of Wynona, Shine, Belladonna) offer the same richness and magic than the best of his production works for Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris or Willie Nelson. I love this man's voice and the way he creates nakedness and vulnerablity in his songs and instrumental pieces.… Full Review »
  3. AdrianB.
    Apr 4, 2008
    9
    Lanois is still beiing busy and capable of his talents to go on futher looking fot the frontiers of music.Give the man something from the Lanois is still beiing busy and capable of his talents to go on futher looking fot the frontiers of music.Give the man something from the past and he creates a new "pearl"of the future. Listening to his music says that we are only at the beginning of future's miracles… Full Review »
See all user reviews »