Man and Myth
by Roy Harper
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Blurt Magazine
    Jan 2, 2014
    60
    Seven songs long, it offers the impression of one continuous tirade, despite the moments of sublime tenderness that illuminate tender courting tunes like “Heaven Is Here” and “The Enemy,” each of which bring to mind such heartfelt Harper ballads as “Commune” and “Another Day.”
  2. The Wire
    Dec 10, 2013
    80
    Now far from young, and sounding a little tired, his voice is still tender with yearning, and devotees will welcome a further installment in his emotionally ramshackle story. [Sep 2013, p.52]
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  3. AllMusic
    Oct 28, 2013
    80
    Man & Myth is Harper at his best, fully in command of his vision, his curious, lovely melodic sensibility, and, of course, his poetry.
  5. Classic Rock Magazine
    Oct 23, 2013
    80
    It's not easy or cheery, but it's loaded with old gold. [Oct 2013, p.85]
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  6. Q Magazine
    Oct 16, 2013
    80
    Effortlessly tuneful, and swathed in allusions to Greek mythology, this is classic Harper. [Nov 2013, p.108]
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  7. Pitchfork
    Oct 7, 2013
    70
    It feels like a stopgap. Harper explores no new territory, sonically or thematically, on the disc’s seven songs; if anything, it’s a stately retreat into the 72-year-old’s well-trod sound.
  8. musicOMH.com
    Oct 4, 2013
    90
    At the grand age of 72, he’s grown into his voice and can sing with conviction and honesty, but not at the expense of youthful venom.
  9. The Observer (UK)
    Sep 23, 2013
    80
    Seventy-two not out: a great record.
  10. Uncut
    Sep 20, 2013
    90
    A magnificent comeback. [Oct 2013, p.57]
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  11. Mojo
    Sep 20, 2013
    80
    A poetic, typically untethered set within bouzouki pecks and mellotron complement Roy's latest voyage into open-tuned land. [Oct 2013, p.90]
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  12. Drowned In Sound
    Sep 20, 2013
    70
    There may be nothing here that pricks emotion like ‘When An Old Cricketer Leaves The Crease’ and this may not be the truly brazen, bold Harper of the Seventies but it’s a record of reflection, of experimentation, sometimes of egotism, often of near-mystical sadness.
  13. Record Collector
    Sep 20, 2013
    100
    While his guitar-playing remains robust and his vocal range undiminished, it’s the characteristically immersed, impassioned songwriting that most vividly illustrates his ongoing vigour.
  14. The Guardian
    Sep 20, 2013
    80
    There are thoughtful, highly personal songs about love, lust, ageing and identity, with the final two segued tracks lasting for 23 minutes. He's still unique.

Awards & Rankings

49
#49 Best Album of 2013

User Reviews

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User Score
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No user score yet- Awaiting 1 more rating

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. RoxanneWalsh
    Apr 11, 2021
    10
    The myth of the title is not himself but the topic he sings about although of course he is his own myth since five decades. The album startsThe myth of the title is not himself but the topic he sings about although of course he is his own myth since five decades. The album starts harmless with an opener that takes off were One of These Days in England left 35 years before. But then...he sings about the times long gone - after all he was 72 now - with a voice that is the same that made his 70s albums classics. Pete Townshend adds some electric guitar that comes right from Quadrophenia. Of course the 16 minute myth of Jason and the golden fleece as delivered by the acoustic "one man rock'n'roll band" is another landmark in the man's own myth.… Full Review »
  2. WildManPhil
    May 6, 2016
    9
    By 2010 I think I'd given up hope that here would be another Roy Harper album. For him to make not just any album but this one was absolutelyBy 2010 I think I'd given up hope that here would be another Roy Harper album. For him to make not just any album but this one was absolutely remarkable, as it's every bit as good as most of Roy's stuff from his halcyon days in the late 60s and the 70s. Wonderfully, it has a classic long track (Heaven Is Here), which lives up to his categorisation of "epic progressive acoustic, (a category of one)" - wish I could remember who coined that! While not as overtly impressive as the classics such as "One of Those Days In England", familiarity with the song soon brings realisation that the track deserves to be ranked up with his best. And the lyrics wonderfully tell the story of Orpheus, Jason and the golden fleece, his love for Euridice and its disastrous ending all with lyrical beauty, fitting into just a few verses what would normally fill a book. Very clever.
    My favourite track is January Man which, in my opinion, ranks with all time great songs such as Commune. And what a bonus in the shape of Cloud Cuckooland, with Pete Townshend's energetically scrambled lead guitar contribution just the latest fabulous bit of icing on the cake after those from Jimmy Page, David Gilmour and others in the past.
    If you like Roy Harper and haven't bought this yet, you must.
    If you haven't heard Roy Harper, why not start here? Then there's that back catalogue with so many good songs.
    Thanks Roy. Till the next time.    … Full Review »
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