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Apr 6, 2012Like strangers arguing in public or a weary couple who went out to dinner just to break up loudly in the restaurant, Acousmatic Sorcery offers a similar, sometimes unbearably honest look into a very personal world.
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Mar 28, 2012What is present is that instant-click connection between artist and audience that only comes with the most naked of performances--Monotony is one such riveting recital, sketchy yet complete--and Beal's commitment to documenting the minutiae alongside the meaningful in comparable detail ensures that even-handedness permeates the entire set.
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Apr 2, 2012At times it's testing, but there are flashes of phenomenal creative genius here that are destined to manifest further.
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Apr 4, 2012Despite a few missteps, Acousmatic Sorcery is still a unique debut announcing the emergence of a fresh talent worthy of the buzz Beal has been receiving.
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Apr 4, 2012Out of its many blues like qualities the one that I see potentially defining the album as a whole is its rawness.
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Apr 2, 2012You'll either love it or hate it but, ignore the buzz, take it on it's own merits, and you might very well be rewarded.
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Apr 2, 2012There are moments worth latching on to but for the full effect, go stand in a club with him and watch him perform.
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Apr 17, 2012This is a minimalist masterpiece.
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Apr 4, 2012Acousmatic Sorcery's imperfections are unapologetic and unconcerned, largely stamping all over any chances of bringing the overall experience down.
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MojoJul 18, 2012Beal's vocals shift from Screaming Jay Hawkins wails to the lo-fi R&B melancholy of Cody ChesnuTT, while his chattering snake times rhythms summon up the ghosts of Moondog and Sun Ra, taking things to another level entirely. [Jun 2012, p.83]
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Mar 27, 2012Acousmatic Sorcery won't propel Beal to Lana Del Rey levels of fame ... it's too weird, too spooky, too idiosyncratic for that. For those who do connect with Beal's gloriously skewed vision though, you're in for a treat.
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Apr 3, 2012In short, there's lo-fi, and then there's this album.
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Mar 27, 2012Willis Earl Beal is a phenomenal vocalist, with a unique drawl and searing tone. Phenomenal in virtuosity, yet even more astounding with his delivery.
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Apr 2, 2012While Acousmatic Sorcery is interesting and occasionally even great on its own, it ultimately it feels very much like a hyper-creative and gifted artist trying to figure out what he's doing.
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Apr 10, 2012Beal's lyrics proves to be the major sticking point for an album that is quite successful. Most of these tracks follow the kind of topsy turvy logic of a Kaufman film.
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Q MagazineApr 24, 2012Mesmerising. [May 2012, p.96]
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Apr 17, 2012Despite (or maybe because of) his peculiar web of influences, Beal is a strikingly singular performer, synthesizing various muses into something deeply unique.
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Apr 3, 2012What comes through most clearly on the album is Beal's burning desire to be heard, however it was going to happen, and a confidence that his talent deserves it.
User score distribution:
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Positive: 3 out of 7
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Mixed: 3 out of 7
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Negative: 1 out of 7
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Jun 6, 2012Clearly Good Vocals But Musicly Willis Earl Beal Needs ALOT OF HELP!
Very Mixed Feelings About The Album.. -
May 26, 2012