User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Ravedeath, 1972
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Ravedeath, 1972 Image
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 17 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 43 Ratings

  • Summary: The latest release for the Montreal-based artist was recorded in a church in Iceland.
Buy Now
Buy on

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. musicOMH.com
    Mar 14, 2011
    100
    The use of the church organ is a particular masterstroke and it imbues Hecker's compositions here not with grandiosity, but with a sort of faded grandeur that chimes brilliantly with his familiar themes. It also offers a superb range of texture and sound, sometimes attacking and aggressive, at others soft and warm.
  2. No Ripcord
    Apr 12, 2011
    90
    What resulted is ultimately an album of destructive beauty. Elegance married with sonic destruction!
  3. Beats Per Minute
    Feb 23, 2011
    88
    It makes its own statement, and it does so with the level of maturity and succinctness that we've come to expect from Hecker, an artist who has well earned his place as a leader amongst his peers.
  4. AllMusic
    Feb 23, 2011
    80
    The overall effect of Ravedeath, 1972 is a balance between sheer sonic wooziness and a focused sense of construction; nothing seems wholly random in each song's development even as the feeling can be increasingly disorienting.
  5. Uncut
    Mar 29, 2011
    80
    His primary source is a pipe organ in an Icelandic church, which he processes, filters, deconsecrates, muddles and distorts, and therefore liberates in the course of this album, enabling its latent potential to escape from its wooden room and form a burgeoning cloudscape. [Apr 2011, p.83]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Delusions of Adequacy
    Feb 23, 2011
    80
    While it definitely is more static and sustain, you really need to turn this up, put down whatever else you're doing, and connect with it in the moment, as this is very present music. It feels like a refined version of his past esthetics, and is more intense for the limitations he has decided to work under.
  7. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Feb 23, 2011
    70
    Hecker's freshest exploration of the life of rave death comes thoroughly recommended.

See all 17 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. post-prufrock
    Oct 16, 2013
    10
    I don't think ambient music is typically labelled "destructive" and "forceful," but those adjectives tend to get thrown around a lot whenI don't think ambient music is typically labelled "destructive" and "forceful," but those adjectives tend to get thrown around a lot when speaking of Ravedeath, 1972-- and Hecker's work in general. That should be a tip-off that this is not music that fits the popular connotation surrounding the word "ambient": it's not music you can really relax to, it doesn't soothe (at least not in a conventional way), and it is in no way "background" music. It is harrowing, emotionally devastating, and excruciatingly gorgeous sound that demands your full attention to be understood. Ranging from crushing tidal waves of noise to delicate minimalist hymns, Hecker's 6th album offers as a broad a spectrum of human emotion as you're ever likely to hear. A classic in left-field music, to be certain.… Expand
  2. Amos982
    Sep 14, 2011
    10
    Tim Hecker more than delivers, giving the listener a beautiful yet bleak landscape to explore. The album's twists and turns remain excitingTim Hecker more than delivers, giving the listener a beautiful yet bleak landscape to explore. The album's twists and turns remain exciting after multiple listens and stands as the best album of 2011 for me.… Expand
  4. myxo101
    Sep 28, 2012
    10
    I am a massive fan of Hecker, and the way he can manipulate a church organ into the most beautiful, delicate, eerie, catastrophic, emotional,I am a massive fan of Hecker, and the way he can manipulate a church organ into the most beautiful, delicate, eerie, catastrophic, emotional, beautiful & destructive album I have ever listened to is unbelievable. This album's perfection & beauty cannot be put into words; The best album of 2011 in my opinion.… Expand
  5. wololooo
    Mar 12, 2012
    9
    Tim Hecker's sixth offering is absolutely captivating. Filled with bleak, melancholic and beautiful soundscapes, and conveying a sense ofTim Hecker's sixth offering is absolutely captivating. Filled with bleak, melancholic and beautiful soundscapes, and conveying a sense of emotional depth not often reached by ambient musicians. Ravedeath, 1972 is my favourite Tim Hecker album, and the best ambient release of the year.… Expand
  6. Nidmunch
    Mar 8, 2011
    9
    A startlingly beautiful album, Hecker's 6th studio effort sees his always immense style become even more so. With a sound never anything lessA startlingly beautiful album, Hecker's 6th studio effort sees his always immense style become even more so. With a sound never anything less than colossal, "Ravedeath, 1972" was recorded in a church in Iceland which is plain to hear; the sound reverberates to the point that at times it feels as if there's a solid wall of sound surging towards you through your headphones. An enormous ambient masterpiece.… Expand
  7. clem666
    Jan 2, 2023
    8
    A very convincing record that shows the true measure of Tim Hecker's thinking and sensitivity. 'Ravedeath, 1972' is an album that got meA very convincing record that shows the true measure of Tim Hecker's thinking and sensitivity. 'Ravedeath, 1972' is an album that got me captured, and its intangible flow made me press replay again and again for songs as 'No Drums', 'Hatred of Music II' or 'In the Air I'. It is perfect to me in public transport or for a walk in the streets. But hang on because it is a project that will make you feel on the edge.
    I discovered Tim Hecker's work with 'Virgins', a record in which I found there were too many moments of transitions and of blank spaces. Here, the album is just a transition, and we go from long blank spaces to another, with the feeling that something changed somehow. It is overwhelming. You dive in it or just stay on the doorstep.
    It reminds me of the work of GAS (especially the 'POP' album), but without the loud drum lines.    … Expand
  8. zimmertosser69
    Sep 2, 2011
    0
    Has anyone actually listened to this CD all the way through. It is unbearable and is like James Blake on downers. Seriously, it is pure noiseHas anyone actually listened to this CD all the way through. It is unbearable and is like James Blake on downers. Seriously, it is pure noise slowed down to a snails pace and all the drugs in the world can't put Humpty Heckler back together again.… Collapse

See all 9 User Reviews

Related Articles

  1. Best of 2011, Music

    The Best Albums of 2011

    The Best Albums of 2011 Image
    Published: December 30, 2011
    We reveal our official list of the best-reviewed albums of 2011. Plus, get links to stream virtually all of our top albums, find out which LPs our users preferred, and see which 2011 releases scored the lowest with critics.
    More »
  2. Best of 2011, Music

    Midyear Report: The Best Music of 2011 So Far

    Midyear Report: The Best Music of 2011 So Far Image
    Published: July 6, 2011
    With half of 2011 in the books, it's time to check on the year's best music so far. And which album tops our chart so far? It won't cost you anything to find out.
    More »
  3. Music

    February's Best New Music

    February's Best New Music Image
    Published: March 1, 2011
    Music critics were in a mellow mood last month, preferring more minimalist and restrained works, including the latest releases from PJ Harvey and Radiohead. Find out more about February's best-reviewed albums, and listen to full songs from each one.
    More »

Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Best Album of 2011

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
92 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
92 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 1989 (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Black Bayou - Robert Finley
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
89 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 Ozarker - Israel Nash
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Lahai - Sampha
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
All Current Music »