Purple Mountains
by Purple Mountains
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 55 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 46 out of 55
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 55
  3. Negative: 7 out of 55
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  1. freeKade1ka
    Jul 13, 2019
    10
    Awesome album. I like it so much. It's beautiful, soft and so pleasant for ears
  2. JudgeSmails
    Sep 18, 2019
    10
    The poetry on the album is above anything else out right now. After about 100 listens in the last month, I have come to the conclusion that it is his best work. It's the honesty of a man who felt that he had nothing to lose.
  3. AlexGonzSalsa
    Jul 12, 2019
    10
    David Berman is a songwriting master, and this is the best record he's ever made.
  4. purpleboss
    Jul 13, 2019
    10
    This is pure gold. I can't say about berman-newcomers, but if you're fond of silver jews this sucks you in right from the start. The lyrics are simpler in a way, but incredibly effectful and the tunes are as catchy as anything he've done in the past
  5. melanchol
    Jul 14, 2019
    10
    David Berman's misery is balm to us all. Thrilled to have him back, and with a record that could be AOTY, at that.
  6. bwdaly
    Jul 18, 2019
    10
    Purple Mountains is majestic, a musical miracle.

    David Berman is the righteous man America needs right now.
  7. a_sebastian
    Jul 14, 2019
    1
    I just can't catch up with the critics... i just don't get what's tobe so excited about. The guy sounds like an intelligent guy sitting in some vegan coffee shop, pulling some narrative to a kind audience that tap his shoulder and empathize.
    Boring.
  8. jeblum
    Oct 5, 2019
    10
    Incredible album front to back. It's unfortunate that this was his swan song, but I hope that David is finally at peace.
  9. Marcbackman
    Aug 8, 2019
    9
    Rest easy, David. “All the suffering gets done by the ones we leave behind."

    This is a beautiful collection of songs with sharp literary lyrics. Buy Berman's book 'Actual Air' if you want more of his poetry. He will be missed.
  10. Ricko
    Dec 2, 2019
    9
    On release it could have been seen as a self deprecating slacker pop masterpiece. A few months later it can still be viewed the same but certainly takes on a sadder tone. Like a sad clown, David Berman spends 10 songs trying to explain away the darker parts of the soul with funny, extremely clever lyrics on top of some of the best pop music of the year. "All My Happiness is Gone" is aOn release it could have been seen as a self deprecating slacker pop masterpiece. A few months later it can still be viewed the same but certainly takes on a sadder tone. Like a sad clown, David Berman spends 10 songs trying to explain away the darker parts of the soul with funny, extremely clever lyrics on top of some of the best pop music of the year. "All My Happiness is Gone" is a bonafide pop gem and impossible not to singalong to yet the sentiment behind it is heartbreaking in hindsight. "Purple Mountains" is relatively instant musically but the more you listen to the lyrics the more impressive the album is. Both beautifully sad at times yet highly enjoyable indie songs too. 10 tracks, 44 minutes long, close to perfect. It would have been up there among the best albums of the year regardless of Berman's subsequent tragic death but that sad facts puts it out on its own.… Expand
  11. All_ButTrU4
    Nov 20, 2021
    7
    Misery has never sounded so fun. Purple Mountains retains an optimistic sound that contradicts the song titles &lyrics . Weighted by the reality it foreshadowed, David's depression takes an uncomfortable rawness to it in tge same vein as "in utero" .
  12. Illusion0903
    May 3, 2020
    10
    This is my Album of the Year. The content of this album is just so sad, and the way David Berman decided to deliver it just makes it even sadder, I love how genuine this album is and David is no doubt a songwriting genius, thank u for presenting us this masterpiece, R.I.P.
  13. samucxs
    Aug 31, 2019
    10
    Lana Del Rey entrega um álbum de sons e vocais perfeitos. A pegada é bem good vibes e angelical. Me atrevo a dizer que o melhor álbum depois de Ultraviolence; superando as expectativas e quebrando recordes. Aclamem a Rainha do Indie.

Awards & Rankings

22
#22 Best Album of 2019
88
#88 Most Discussed Album of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. NOW Magazine
    Jul 31, 2019
    100
    Beyond the amber waves of grain, Purple Mountains offer fans a feast of food for thought.
    Read full review
  2. Dusted Magazine
    Jul 29, 2019
    80
    The mix of autobiographical honesty and imaginative construction elevates Purple Mountains to something more than just Berman’s breakup album or musical therapy session. It relieves the emotions it develops, making the album a stunning achievement even more than a welcome return for Berman.
    Read full review
  3. Under The Radar
    Jul 23, 2019
    85
    Every song is a vivid glimpse of Berman's miserable and acute self-awareness that will break your heart and fill you with ecstasy, the ultimate underdog story we never knew we needed.
    Read full review
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