The Drift
by Scott Walker
  • Record Label: 4AD
  • Release Date: May 23, 2006
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 118 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 94 out of 118
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 118
  3. Negative: 19 out of 118

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  1. Muddsjr
    Oct 24, 2014
    8
    it's dark, its wonderful, and quite frankly its creepy as hell. Yes, this is Scott Walker at a pretty extravagant working rate, except maybe a smaller rate than Bisch Bosch or Soused, but still, fair to say, pretty bloody extravagant.
    The album in its entirety is there to challenge you, to scare you, but at the same time to entertain you and pull you in. Which it does brilliantly.
  2. emilyc.
    Jun 29, 2007
    0
    How about if I just moan while shoving a crooked stick in my pussy and record it. It would be far more interesting than this shit, and would probably sound about the same.
  3. ErikH
    Jun 17, 2007
    8
    This is an extremely difficult album that a lot of people will hate. You can tell just by reading the user reviews which of these people actually know what to expect from a Walker album and those who just listened based on a Metacritic score or Pitchfork review. It took me about two months (and dozens of listens) to penetrate this album. When I finally did, I found it terrifying, deep, This is an extremely difficult album that a lot of people will hate. You can tell just by reading the user reviews which of these people actually know what to expect from a Walker album and those who just listened based on a Metacritic score or Pitchfork review. It took me about two months (and dozens of listens) to penetrate this album. When I finally did, I found it terrifying, deep, and breath-taking. There's as much to be found in its moments of tape-hiss and silence as there is when it reaches it's most decadent moments. Worth listening, but only if you're willing to invest time in it.… Expand
  4. jamesm.
    May 16, 2007
    10
    Thus far the record of the new century, from an artist who made some of last century's best records, i.e. Scott 3. Psst... These aren't waltzes for dodo's. psst. This noirish take on life in a post modern world is accurate and revelatory. psst. And not, I might add with touches of absurdist humor..psst. There has always been an eerie strain running through Scott's Thus far the record of the new century, from an artist who made some of last century's best records, i.e. Scott 3. Psst... These aren't waltzes for dodo's. psst. This noirish take on life in a post modern world is accurate and revelatory. psst. And not, I might add with touches of absurdist humor..psst. There has always been an eerie strain running through Scott's recordings, now with this stripped down, bleak, spare approach the essence of life, if not music itself, is laid bare for all to see, and for all to hear.psst...… Expand
  5. neil
    Mar 21, 2007
    8
    why are people lsitening to this album who don't like difficult music...this is scary shit and the people who are giving it zeros....who knows
  6. TonyS
    Dec 21, 2006
    0
    This is unlistenable crap. I don't know if he was trying to be Nick Cave or something, but it didn't work. I don't usually dump on so-called "critics' darlings," but how the hell can you like this record?
  7. HenryB
    Dec 14, 2006
    9
    Scares me shitless. All very pretentious but worth every minute.
  8. KyleH
    Nov 16, 2006
    0
    Calling this "music" would be an insult to the first neandarthal to hit a rock with a stick.
  9. PatrickJ
    Oct 2, 2006
    10
    album of the year for sure. no other album has grabbed me as much this one
  10. AlexF
    Sep 20, 2006
    2
    As a comedy album, I give this an 8. Unfortunately, I don't think it is. This sounds like the product of some gloomy teenagers with no musical training, but lots of notions of what they deem "artsy" or "avant garde".
  11. DarrylD
    Sep 6, 2006
    0
    Spent enough time with this, even after a bad first impression. The songs (sic) are essentially unlistenable. Those who champion this as substantial are drugged or happy to be part of the "out" group. All this rant about edgy and power is just a bootkissing demonstration. It's the emperor's new clothes by the critics and some of the public is afraid to say what's so Spent enough time with this, even after a bad first impression. The songs (sic) are essentially unlistenable. Those who champion this as substantial are drugged or happy to be part of the "out" group. All this rant about edgy and power is just a bootkissing demonstration. It's the emperor's new clothes by the critics and some of the public is afraid to say what's so painfully clear. This album is terrible.… Expand
  12. Rawfoodforall
    Aug 29, 2006
    9
    Scott Walker comes as close to the edge of his 30 year musical experiment as he can,,,,,,while still managing to score a record deal. To continue on this path would mean an album of lyrical silence.......interrupted only by carefully placed Scott burps and farts. He puts his voice in an unrelenting neutral, plays with syntax, hones and flays the language,.......the music. And still, the Scott Walker comes as close to the edge of his 30 year musical experiment as he can,,,,,,while still managing to score a record deal. To continue on this path would mean an album of lyrical silence.......interrupted only by carefully placed Scott burps and farts. He puts his voice in an unrelenting neutral, plays with syntax, hones and flays the language,.......the music. And still, the semantical effect, that is so obsessively calculated,is powerfully emotional. It's brilliant that he accomplished his goal. As always, the album is about humankind.,,,.... it just doesn't rely on garrulous theories or cliched antics to reveal the state we are in. I think he seeks to unfold......not confound., really...........and sometimes it's better for you and me when it isn't spelled out.… Expand
  13. killABen
    Aug 8, 2006
    10
    Scott Walker rules. There is no 'On Your Own Again' or 'Montague Terrace (In Blue)' on this album but nonetheless, it's the kind of decadent, self-indulgent recording that all artists should be so lucky to make.
  14. DaveW
    Aug 2, 2006
    10
    Absolutely superb! This album cements Scott as the greatest EVER. I wouldn't worry about others not liking it folks. It does take a bit of getting into and must be played loud, as it says in the notes.
  15. Kas
    Jul 26, 2006
    0
    Umm.. WTF was that I just listened to? Rolling Stone calls him a cult artist, Im not sure I disagree, I wished I had joined Heaven
  16. tchsatoris
    Jul 23, 2006
    9
    I can't stand how people can't handle artistic music. Think of all the different types of progressions and modern achievements in art, now think of all the crap in the music business! Kudos to a man who creats artistic music. Yes, this is not meant to be for the radio listening crowd, so why do they feel like they have the right to critic it!?
  17. dannyc
    Jul 20, 2006
    5
    anthony & the johnsons with a cinematic immensity or 21st poetry with an arthouse soundtrack > it's genuine enough not to be pretentious, just frickin hard for anyone else to catch any of the abstract wavelengths that this 'epic' floats on...
  18. JustinB
    Jul 9, 2006
    10
    guys, like what you like. stop bashing each other on whether this is good or not. if you don't like the album, realize others might like it and vice versa. i really like it, very dense and rewarding. good work.
  19. othostice
    Jul 9, 2006
    4
    I respect what Scott Walker attempts to do every ten years or so, and sometimes, as with parts of Tilt, the results are impressive and even listenable (e.g the Jacques Brel covers). Alas, for all his Walker's aestheticism, this CD will join Neil Young's WELD and Lou Reed's METAL MACHINE MUSIC in the "records to empty a party at 3 a.m" hall of fame.
  20. kd
    Jul 7, 2006
    0
    I find it terribly self-indulgent and ultimately a horrible listen. It's bad+silly+horrid... why it's a triple axle of tripe.
  21. DrewD
    Jul 7, 2006
    0
    This is bad. I've listened to it 11 times trying to get it. I still can't, and this is coming from somebody who likes Tilt. I refuse to believe anybody actually enjoys this crap. Everybody must either be lying to be hip or decieving themselves into thinking it's good.
  22. ClaraP
    Jul 4, 2006
    10
    it is SO EASY to give something a 1 or a 0 and slag it off. have any of you fools ever done ANYTHING with such intensity, with such clarity, with such bloody-minded determination? which will last longer, which carries more weight? a 10-year-in-the-making musical statement from one of the most enduring, most highly regarded and uncompromising men in music, or a poorly considered opinion it is SO EASY to give something a 1 or a 0 and slag it off. have any of you fools ever done ANYTHING with such intensity, with such clarity, with such bloody-minded determination? which will last longer, which carries more weight? a 10-year-in-the-making musical statement from one of the most enduring, most highly regarded and uncompromising men in music, or a poorly considered opinion and a tossed of 'comment'. face it. you're not worthy to review a single note or word of this.… Expand
  23. pacow
    Jun 24, 2006
    9
    musicians are stupid. they don't know anything about music.
  24. stuartr
    Jun 23, 2006
    0
    challenging is one word for it just as its a challenge crawl through a 3ft pool of excrement with your hands tied behind your back .
  25. Mystic
    Jun 20, 2006
    10
    Amazingly transcedental melodies which the general music listener has had no exposure unless versed in RIO or Avant Jazz/classical offerings. Brilliant work that will be hailed by crtics and music fans beyond the 21st century.
  26. michael
    Jun 17, 2006
    9
    There's really nothing else like it, and I find it overwhelmingly powerful. Like Jacques Brel plus Leonard Cohen plus Trent Reznor plus Alban Berg. It makes perfect sense that those who've heard this dense, dark album either love it or hate it. It's "musique maudit," but I cam't shake it for the life of me. Beautiful and brilliant. Sorry, haters, I'm proud to have There's really nothing else like it, and I find it overwhelmingly powerful. Like Jacques Brel plus Leonard Cohen plus Trent Reznor plus Alban Berg. It makes perfect sense that those who've heard this dense, dark album either love it or hate it. It's "musique maudit," but I cam't shake it for the life of me. Beautiful and brilliant. Sorry, haters, I'm proud to have drunk the Kool-Aid.… Expand
  27. BrandonS.
    Jun 17, 2006
    10
    What Elvis should have been.
  28. AnonymousMC
    Jun 17, 2006
    2
    un-listen-able
  29. JackW
    Jun 16, 2006
    8
    Matt D., if you had to take out The Wreckers cd to put in Scott Walker, I'm pretty sure he was never meant to be there in the first place.
  30. StephenJ
    Jun 16, 2006
    10
    I find this album's detractors interesting. Their comments remind me about the way people reacted towards any great, and forward-looking work. People said the same kinds of things about the Rite of Spring by Stravinsky. Of course, now that work is regarded as one of the greatest works of music of all time. Maybe one day "the Drift" will be considered as the "Rite of Spring" of I find this album's detractors interesting. Their comments remind me about the way people reacted towards any great, and forward-looking work. People said the same kinds of things about the Rite of Spring by Stravinsky. Of course, now that work is regarded as one of the greatest works of music of all time. Maybe one day "the Drift" will be considered as the "Rite of Spring" of popular music. It is a radical change, but one which is well-needed. Whether or not you like the combination of sounds he used, if you take one single sound or part out, the entire thing would collapse. Scott Walker is a genius, I believe that.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Best Album of 2006
57
#57 Most Discussed Album of 2006
77
#77 Most Shared Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. Pitchfork
    90
    Even at its most dissonant and abstract, this record is human to the core, and if you're ready to face a few demons, it's as inspiring as music gets.
    Read full review
  2. Stylus Magazine
    67
    His effort to make the most tense, uncomfortable record in the world has resulted in something that actually feels pretty straightforward, uncomplicated, and digestible.
    Read full review
  3. PopMatters
    90
    The Drift--in all its nightmarish, bloody glory--is as bold and profound a comment on our times as has emerged so far this century.
    Read full review
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