B'lieve I'm Goin' Down
by Kurt Vile
  • Record Label: Matador
  • Release Date: Sep 25, 2015
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 50 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 50
  3. Negative: 3 out of 50
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  1. ohheyitssteve
    Sep 29, 2015
    6
    It reminds me of day drinking in the afternoon and passing out before the sun goes down. The energy of Pretty Pimpin' continues to slow throughout the album to an eventual drawn out weariness in the latter half. Fans of Vile's earlier work on Wakin' on a Pretty Daze will probably be satisfied, but casual listeners may feel burnt out by some of the longer, sedated tracks.
  2. mcleanap
    Sep 27, 2015
    9
    Great new album from Kurt Vile. Love the incorporation of banjo and piano. Wheelhouse is incredible and of course Pretty Pimpin kicks off the album with a great opener. Overall, maybe the best album from Kurt Vile to date.
  3. Beverlyrdgeese
    Sep 28, 2015
    7
    I really like Kurt Vile, but I wish he would go back to his rock sensibilities. Too much of this album is just insipid and boring. There are some really great tracks, though. Dust Bunnies, Wheelhouse, Outlaw, and Pretty Pimpin are standouts and some of KV's best tracks to date. Solid album overall.
  4. Custom_Concerns
    Sep 30, 2015
    7
    Kurt Vile returns with his token style of folky, proggy, guitar laden rock on his latest record. B'lieve I'm Goin' Down is downright fun, in many senses of the word. Musically and compositionally, it is very laid back and unassuming, allowing the top-notch musicianship to take center stage. Kurt's lyrics are colorful, full of character, and work well to resonate the album's themes of justKurt Vile returns with his token style of folky, proggy, guitar laden rock on his latest record. B'lieve I'm Goin' Down is downright fun, in many senses of the word. Musically and compositionally, it is very laid back and unassuming, allowing the top-notch musicianship to take center stage. Kurt's lyrics are colorful, full of character, and work well to resonate the album's themes of just taking it easy. The songs do tend to wander a bit too much, and the album itself goes on too long for my taste, but in the end, I always enjoy B'Lieve I'm Goin' Down when it is playing.… Expand
  5. nirvanafreak
    Sep 25, 2015
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Favourite Songs: Pretty Pimpin, Dust Bunnies
    Least Favourite Songs: That's Life Tho (Almost Hate To Say)
    I don't find Kurt Vile's music to be particularly interesting, mainly because I'm just not a huge fan of modern Americana but also because some of his songs are just so laid back it borders on depressing, and I still feel the same way with this new record. It's still a good listen though and 'Pretty Pimpin' sets the record up perfectly with its almost contemplative lyrics and really catchy guitar progression. The lyrics on the album don't really hit me in the same way someone like Mark Kozelek's lyrics would but his vocal delivery throughout the album, like always, just sounds great.
    Whitest album I've heard all year.
    Will I Return To It: To a couple of tracks yeah
    Try This If You Like: War On Drugs    … Expand
  6. All_ButTrU4
    Nov 22, 2021
    7
    A funny chill folksy continued departure from Kurt Viles rock sensibilities. Seemingly effortless and entertaining.
  7. Jacaranda23
    May 12, 2022
    9
    Love the laid back, comfortable-in-its-own-skin vibes on this album. It vacillates between truly unique, upbeat takes on Americana, and longing, wistful forays into the complex emotions of a self-actualized individual. But it confronts the latter in a sort of tongue-in-cheek way, giving it an almost comedic edge. Truly a masterful balance is struck! Great for listening on a rainy day.

Awards & Rankings

75
#75 Best Album of 2015
49
#49 Most Shared Album of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. cokemachineglow
    Nov 2, 2015
    60
    While B’lieve I’m Goin’ Down, at least as far as its words are concerned, is more interesting than it appears on the first few spins, that’s not quite enough to make it a memorable listen.
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  2. Q Magazine
    Oct 6, 2015
    80
    The hardest-working slacker in rock goes from strength to strength. [Nov 2015, p.108]
  3. The Guardian
    Oct 1, 2015
    80
    His sixth album is perhaps a smaller-scale, slower burn than 2013’s Wakin’ on a Pretty Daze: the likes of That’s Life, Tho and Stand Inside take a few listens to reveal their unobvious melodic logic, but when they do, they hit hard.
    Read full review
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