The Harrow and the Harvest
by Gillian Welch
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 18 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 18
  3. Negative: 2 out of 18
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  1. ScottyB
    Jun 29, 2011
    9
    Surprisingly and perhaps consciously free of the hooks and harmonies of Welch's most contagious early work, The Harrow and the Harvest takes three or four listens before the album begins to unfold and reveal its treasures. The Harrow and the Harvest harkens back to Welch's brilliant Time (the Revelator) and eclipses Soul Journey's missteps and uneven quality. What we get in the new albumSurprisingly and perhaps consciously free of the hooks and harmonies of Welch's most contagious early work, The Harrow and the Harvest takes three or four listens before the album begins to unfold and reveal its treasures. The Harrow and the Harvest harkens back to Welch's brilliant Time (the Revelator) and eclipses Soul Journey's missteps and uneven quality. What we get in the new album is almost completely bereft of ornament. We hear Welch's distinctive voice, a guitar, the twang or two from a banjo, an occasional harmonica riff, a simple handclap, and that's pretty much it. In her particular brand of minimalist music, there's not much to stand between the listener and the songs, and any mistake in vocals, writing, authenticity of emotion, or David Rawlings' skillful and haunting guitar work would be instantly obvious. To my ears, this is a nearly flawless album in that regard, and its strength emerges through its sometimes challenging subtlety--a subtlety that would no doubt prove too slippery for the casual radio listener. The most heartbreaking and catchy songs (with Welch, the two seem always to go hand-in-hand) are "The Way It Will Be" and "Hard Times"--rich pieces, though perhaps not quite surpassing the earlier "Time (the Revelator)," "Elvis Preseley Blues," "Orphan Girl," or "Wrecking Ball." "The Way It Will Be" and "Hard Times" seem to reflect upon the difficulties of creating art and the acknowledgement of one's creative and personal limits, all packaged in Welch's trademark semi-surreal, fragmentary, dreamy, rural narratives. The lines "the way you made it, / that's the way it will be" and "hard times, they're gonna rule my mind / no more" clarify the themes that run throughout the entire album. Welch suggests that what one makes of one's life--whether it is art, a family, a farm, or perhaps even one's own character--is no better than what it actually is. This seems like a rather obvious point to make until one acknowledges that most people delude themselves by thinking their lives add up to, or will one day add up to, more than what they are. If we are unfortunate enough to stumble upon this realization, unfortunate enough to have our delusions of self shattered--and Welch intends for the listener to think such realizations are unfortunate and depressing--the epiphany can be both humbling and harrowing, especially as one begins to confront mortality. "The way you made it, that's the way it will be. . ." Still, there is some ambiguous hope in the face of this stark, basic realization: once we understand the reality of our situation, the need to see ourselves as we truly are (in Welch, an apparent source of despair) need not fully preoccupy us. Instead, the best solution is to metaphorically get behind the mule (Welch's metaphor perhaps echoing Tom Waits' metaphor in his song "Mule Variations") and continue to work as best we can, for that's the only alternative we really seem to have. Thus, in terms of depth and risk, in terms of vision and subtlety and artistry, The Harrow and the Harvest surpasses Welch's previous albums, despite the fact it does not possess the sheer quantity of sing-along, infectious hooks of her early work, and helps flesh out her self-portrait as a distinctive and essential musician for veteran listeners and newcomers alike.… Expand
  2. themostbrian
    Jun 28, 2011
    10
    A magnificent return to form for Welch and Rawlings. Those who criticize this album its minimalism and simplicity just don't get it. Welch and Rawlings have tapped into a rich vein of pastoral Americana roots that is almost NECESSARILY minimalist. 'The Harrow & The Harvest' is a brilliant amalgamation of beautifully fragile melodies, astutely sparse acoustic instrumentation and some of theA magnificent return to form for Welch and Rawlings. Those who criticize this album its minimalism and simplicity just don't get it. Welch and Rawlings have tapped into a rich vein of pastoral Americana roots that is almost NECESSARILY minimalist. 'The Harrow & The Harvest' is a brilliant amalgamation of beautifully fragile melodies, astutely sparse acoustic instrumentation and some of the best harmonies around.… Expand
  3. NormII
    Sep 15, 2011
    10
    All I can say about this album is that "Dark Turn of Mind" may be the finest country song released in the past 30 years. And it would never get played on "country" radio. Their loss! And the other songs on this album almost keep up. Which is to say they are great.
  4. hinderwander
    Jul 6, 2011
    9
    There was something supernatural at work when Welch & Rawlings wrote Time (The Revelator). For me, it's a perfect album that I couldn't see being topped elsewhere in their career. But then, upon Soul Journey's release, I realized they had no intention or desire to do so and I felt free to enjoy what is actually a really great collection of songs (with a terrible turquoise blue cover, butThere was something supernatural at work when Welch & Rawlings wrote Time (The Revelator). For me, it's a perfect album that I couldn't see being topped elsewhere in their career. But then, upon Soul Journey's release, I realized they had no intention or desire to do so and I felt free to enjoy what is actually a really great collection of songs (with a terrible turquoise blue cover, but I digress). And it's much the same with this fantastic, long-overdue follow up. If the pair felt pressure making a long awaited new record it doesn't show one lick in any spot on The Harrow & The Harvest. The songs are strong from every angle. Go ahead and kick the tires, take the lyrics or melodies out for a spin. It's built to last. "That's The Way It Will Be" is an instant classic.… Expand
  5. almondcroissant
    Aug 8, 2011
    9
    This is a brilliant return to form after her last album, I had to listen to it 3 or 4 times before it clicked. David Rawlings playing is sensational. The new material is also some of the best they have produced. It was worth the wait.
  6. Ricko
    Feb 8, 2012
    8
    As folk/country music goes, this is good but her voice is not really my kind of thing. It's very typical of the genre. Having said that, the songs are very well written and the sparse instrumentation works well on a lot of tracks it's just overall I find country style vocals take away from the songs. Some of the songs on this are similar in style to Bruce Springsteens Devils and Dust whichAs folk/country music goes, this is good but her voice is not really my kind of thing. It's very typical of the genre. Having said that, the songs are very well written and the sparse instrumentation works well on a lot of tracks it's just overall I find country style vocals take away from the songs. Some of the songs on this are similar in style to Bruce Springsteens Devils and Dust which I quite liked. Perhaps a little variation would have done this record the world of good - maybe a little production. would have injected some more life into it. If rating out of 100 I'd give this 75 rather than 80 but rounding up will give it an 8.… Expand
  7. GagaForGhibli
    Jun 3, 2012
    8
    This Album Is Dark And Spooky..
    Not What I Really 100% Wanted But It's Good..
  8. ekolite82
    Jul 10, 2012
    10
    Love her voice in this. What a voice. And her songs on this make me drift off to a place that seems not so far away that I want to stay forever. I would love to see her live. I would say this is one of the best I have heard of her releases to my ears. Very nice work.

Awards & Rankings

26
#26 Best Album of 2011
82
#82 Most Shared Album of 2011

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. AllMusic
    Dec 5, 2011
    90
    The Harrow & the Harvest is stunning for its intimacy, its lack of studio artifice, its warmth and its timeless, if hard won, songcraft.
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  2. Mojo
    Nov 22, 2011
    100
    Sparely and intuitively performed, it's simply excellent. [Aug. 2011, p. 94]
  3. cokemachineglow
    Nov 10, 2011
    80
    Its overcast may be thick like a dustbowl, but well-placed rays of light make this record an especially accomplished return.
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