Standing at the Sky's Edge
by Richard Hawley
  • Record Label: Mute
  • Release Date: Aug 28, 2012
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
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  1. The Boston Phoenix
    Sep 4, 2012
    100
    This may be the most uncharacteristic of his albums, but by venturing outside his comfort zone, Hawley has in turn made his best.
  2. Under The Radar
    Aug 22, 2012
    70
    This is a full-on rock album offering horizon-burning electric guitar as its signature, with Hawley's band stretching out with him on a few tracks for fabulously psych-fried passages. [Aug/Sep 2012, p.117]
  3. Mojo
    Jul 18, 2012
    80
    His craftsman's melodiousness and honest voice add balm and balance. [Jun 2012, p.84]
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  5. cokemachineglow
    Jun 8, 2012
    73
    He's pushing himself ever so slightly, and while it might not be enough to draw in the unconverted, the rest of us will want to stick around for more.
  6. PopMatters
    May 15, 2012
    80
    What Standing at the Sky's Edge loses in heartbreak it easily makes up for in depth, and Hawley has just given us something that is truly worth sinking into.
  7. Consequence
    May 14, 2012
    80
    ["Before" is] one of many standouts in a nine-song collection that engages body and mind throughout.
  8. AllMusic
    May 9, 2012
    80
    By employing hard-rocking, sometimes spacey psychedelia (gloriously) to express the anger he feels as he watches the hard-won gains of history being damaged and destroyed in unsavory ways, Hawley creates an essential listen.
  9. The Quietus
    May 9, 2012
    80
    In Standing At The Sky's Edge Richard Hawley has forged his most fully realised and heartfelt collection of music to date. This requires your urgent attention.
  10. Clash Music
    May 8, 2012
    90
    An unconventional masterpiece.
  11. The Independent on Sunday (UK)
    May 7, 2012
    80
    A classy, well-made record.
  12. DIY Magazine
    May 7, 2012
    80
    Another triumph.
  13. The Independent (UK)
    May 4, 2012
    80
    Richard Hawley has upped his game considerably on his first album for Parlophone, leaving behind his urbane, rockabilly-tinged retro-nuevo style for a full-blooded immersion in ringing psychedelic rock. It's totally unexpected, and completely winning.
  14. The Fly (UK)
    May 4, 2012
    80
    Hawley ditches his heavily orchestrated, Indie Orbison Of The North shtick in favour of a sound that's darker, ragged and riff-heavy. It works.
  15. The Guardian
    May 3, 2012
    100
    Despite the guitars crashing and howling around him, and the presence of a rather West End-sounding chorus of backing vocalists, he sounds exactly like Richard Hawley. The same, but different: a tough trick, pulled off in style.
  16. Uncut
    May 3, 2012
    70
    Fans of Hawley's rueful view of love and relationships, his fine guitar playing, and his magnificent singing voice will find them all present and correct here, if displayed in unexpected ways. [Jun 2012, p.75]
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  17. BBC Music
    May 2, 2012
    80
    The men are going to love it. But the women will still love Richard Hawley, too.
  18. Drowned In Sound
    May 2, 2012
    80
    However you choose to describe it, or whatever your preconceptions of Hawley and his music, this is definitely an album you should bend a considered ear towards.
  19. musicOMH.com
    May 2, 2012
    70
    If some of the sound could be better defined, and the special effects shaken on with a slightly lighter hand, it would be more coherent and ultimately more impressive.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. palethinboy
    May 16, 2012
    5
    In short it's Richard goes psychedelic. not a bad listen but i can't help find it a little boring. His poorest effort in a while. I'mIn short it's Richard goes psychedelic. not a bad listen but i can't help find it a little boring. His poorest effort in a while. I'm disappointed. Hopefully he can come good with the next album.… Full Review »
  2. Muddsjr
    Nov 13, 2014
    6
    It's an album that's generally a little patchy for me. With moments like 'Seek It' and 'Don't Stare at the Sun' feeling a little weaker andIt's an album that's generally a little patchy for me. With moments like 'Seek It' and 'Don't Stare at the Sun' feeling a little weaker and simultaneously destructive of the whole atmosphere of the album. I do like some of the songs conceptually, like for the title track and also Time Will Bring You Winter, the latter being the strongest track on the album for me, with Down in the Woods and concluding track Before. Otherwise however, Standing at the Sky's Edge feels more a stop-gap in Hawley's career of emotional, and admittedly lovely music for which he is known rather than an album that can count as a 'step forward'. Lover's of this album may be disappointed by Hawley's back catalog, while lovers of his back catalog may not be as entirely keen on this new one.… Full Review »
  3. Ricko
    Mar 1, 2013
    7
    After a series of truly beautiful albums, RH returns here having taken a sharp turn in direction with probably his most psychedelic record.After a series of truly beautiful albums, RH returns here having taken a sharp turn in direction with probably his most psychedelic record. It's got what sounds like layers of dark, swirling guitars. The music is distorted but the unmistakable voice is still there above it all. For the most part, the songs are quite strong but for me, there are noticably fewer moments of genius that were to be found at his previous efforts. Still pretty good though.… Full Review »
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