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Rain On Lens
by
Rain On Lens Image
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews What's this?

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  • Summary: This is Bill Callahan's follow-up to 2000's acclaimed 'Dongs of Sevotion.'

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. Splendid
    90
    Without a doubt one of Callahan’s most inspired collection of songs to date.
  2. Magnet
    90
    These quiet, stripped-down songs are so narcotically enticing that when an occasional burst of moderate-volume guitar noise pops up unexpectedly, the effect is excruciating, like wires burning in the brain. [#52, p.102]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Playlouder
    90
    From the opening few seconds of 'Rain On Lens' you just know this album is going to be a classic.
  4. Pitchfork
    75
    Much of Rain on Lens sounds remarkably detached, and the end result is an album that, while musically excellent, lacks the impact of the pre-parentheses days.
  5. Alternative Press
    70
    While it isn't his best work, Rain on Lens shows that Callahan is proving to be frustratingly hard to pin down, but capable of unleasing brilliance at any given time. [Nov 2001, p.94]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Mojo
    70
    Dour, sub-Velvets melodies and droll, haiku-like lyrics tinged with desperation. [Sep 2001, p.110]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Neumu.net
    30
    Rain on Lens isn't awful, but boy, is it a long way from The Doctor Came at Dawn.

See all 14 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. m0ngy
    Jul 21, 2013
    9
    First of all, I should disclose that I'm a huge Bill Smog fan, and I love (almost) everything he's done. 'Rain On Lens' has a unique sound, myFirst of all, I should disclose that I'm a huge Bill Smog fan, and I love (almost) everything he's done. 'Rain On Lens' has a unique sound, my mate described it as "swamp songs", quite different from any of his previous or later works. The critic review by Neumu.net describes the album, both it's musical narrative and the artist, quite well, better than I could have, he's obviously a big follower of Bill's also. Yet I love it, and he doesn't, gave it a 3/10. The critic is absolutely spot-on when he says 'Rain On Lens' ain't no 'Doctor Came At Dawn', though few albums ever made by anyone could come close to Doctor's sparse, haunting, and stunningly intimate, baroque atmospherics. He falls down somewhat by panning 'Dongs Of Sevotion', another brilliant Bill Smog album, but that's a matter of personal opinion, I guess. Anyway, listen to Smog, I find it cathartic.… Expand