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April Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 35 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the third album for the group led by Mark Kozelek, who also wrote and produced the album.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 25
  2. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. This sense of loneliness haunts Kozelek’s best work, and it’s in full force throughout April, arguably the finest album of his career.
  2. Mark Kozelek defines the term “artist” and April is yet another notch on his belt, an enveloping experience that calmly and quietly wins its way into your heart.
  3. Mojo
    80
    This third Sun il Moon album demonstrates Kozelek spinning luminescent textural webs on original compositions which, like the ravishing 'Moorestown,' rank among his very finest.
  4. Throughout, Kozelek connects memory to emotion with masterful strokes.
  5. Not as good as the best work from Kozelek, and a long shot from the worst, April is a solid, if not surprising album that should be just enough for fans.
  6. Though its scope and scale are nothing short of admirable, April is far from perfect: Kozelek largely places it safe with his arrangements this time out, shying away form the loud rock guitars and pop songs that marked the final days of the Painters.
  7. The pace can be a problem, but the music is long on understated beauty.

See all 25 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. EH
    Apr 9, 2008
    10
    Wonderful album...rich, deep, not disparate sounding, but varied and adventurous enough to keep interest throughout. What it lacks in the Wonderful album...rich, deep, not disparate sounding, but varied and adventurous enough to keep interest throughout. What it lacks in the diversity of sound of the previous GOTGH album it makes up for in sheer beauty. Expand
  2. JohanS.
    Apr 7, 2008
    10
    Masterpiece in the crapworld of Rock 'n Roll these days!
  3. HaroldS.
    Apr 8, 2008
    10
    This is an amazing album.
  4. MatP.
    Apr 6, 2008
    9
    Brilliant album. Flows beautifully from track to track, and the result is an album that takes the listener on a slow, meandering journey to a Brilliant album. Flows beautifully from track to track, and the result is an album that takes the listener on a slow, meandering journey to a better place. Expand
  5. GuyH.
    Apr 10, 2008
    9
    Ah, the wonderful 'April'. This reminds me of the RHP album Old Ramon more than the Sun Kil Moon debut - which is to say it is an Ah, the wonderful 'April'. This reminds me of the RHP album Old Ramon more than the Sun Kil Moon debut - which is to say it is an intense, sprawling album that requires several listens before you can begin to fully appreciate it as a whole. 'Ghosts' had a lightness of touch and the songs for the most part were more concise - I miss that and have to admit I was expecting Mark to continue in that direction. However, now that I've lived with 'April' for 2 weeks I can barely find fault with it. 'Heron Blue', 'Bilbao' and the heart wrenching (even by Mark's standards so that is saying something!) 'Blue Orchids' are just perfect. Will Oldham pops in to sing on a few tracks and as you'd expect it is a perfect vocal marriage - and adds some welcome variety. Don't believe me - listen to Mark's solo version of 'Like a River' on the second disc and try not add in Will's backing vocals - it sounds naked without them. A contendor for best of the year and one to file alongside the triumphant return of Amercan Music Club (The Golden Age). Collapse
  6. Jon
    Apr 7, 2008
    9
    Dang good. A real grower, not as immediate as the RHP stuff but like fine wine will improve with age. 'Heron Blue' and Dang good. A real grower, not as immediate as the RHP stuff but like fine wine will improve with age. 'Heron Blue' and 'Tonight in Bilbao' are paticularly great. Expand
  7. MikeE.
    Apr 10, 2008
    6
    After the perfection of Ghosts of the Great Highway, Tiny Cities was a letdown, but this is just...kinda vanilla. Am I hearing the same album After the perfection of Ghosts of the Great Highway, Tiny Cities was a letdown, but this is just...kinda vanilla. Am I hearing the same album as everyone else? After 6 listens, only the second half is starting to grow on me. Of course this album is better than almost anything else out there these days, but the melodies just aren't there this time around. I guess anything's disappointing after Ghosts. Expand

See all 11 User Reviews