Cole's Corner
by Richard Hawley
  • Record Label: Mute
  • Release Date: Sep 6, 2005
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 37 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 37
  3. Negative: 4 out of 37

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  1. MattJ
    Oct 15, 2006
    10
    A classic
  2. JohanL
    Jun 3, 2006
    10
    Fantastic!
  3. Ted
    Oct 19, 2005
    1
    boring, lifeless and dull.
  4. MartinM
    Sep 22, 2006
    1
    Sorry, I fell asleep after the first few minutes. Dull, heard it all before, lifeless old men with guitars - lets move on from this stuff.
  5. BradB
    Sep 9, 2005
    10
    One of the best cds of the year, filled with beautiful, haunting songs. It is a true modern classic that will sound just as good 20 years from now.
  6. theConverted
    Oct 6, 2005
    10
    Unbelievable! Brimming with life, conviction and comfort, this record oozes confidence and class. It may very well become one of those records to cherish and come back to throughout your life. Sadly, this record is almost destined to become a lost classic, but its the best ANYONE has released this decade.
  7. keiths
    Sep 16, 2005
    10
    Sumptuously melancholy, eerily channeling Scott Walker through an early evening haze. A detached observance of details, settings and possibilities ignored by a populace obsessed with places to be and people to see. The songs just melt, coating the listener with Hawley's aimless world of fading hope. The romantic possibilities of transcendent music and compelling companionship are Sumptuously melancholy, eerily channeling Scott Walker through an early evening haze. A detached observance of details, settings and possibilities ignored by a populace obsessed with places to be and people to see. The songs just melt, coating the listener with Hawley's aimless world of fading hope. The romantic possibilities of transcendent music and compelling companionship are just out of reach.… Expand
  8. SaraM
    Feb 12, 2006
    9
    Very lovely - if a bit repetitive. Lowedges is better.
  9. RodT
    Feb 3, 2006
    10
    Gorgeous. Totally envelopes you with almost effortless charm. Strings are perfect, his voice is unbelievably good, and the songs are surprisingly touching. A huge talent.
  10. RobertK.
    Dec 23, 2005
    10
    A future classic! Listen to "The Ocean" and then listen again... Timeless. Let us hope and pray this record will find an audience.
  11. simonp
    Sep 28, 2005
    10
    Listening to this album for the first time was like falling in love- beautiful, relaxing, dreamy pleasure.
  12. matta
    Sep 28, 2005
    9
    Beautiful, timeless music. Hard to compare but, in my opinion, this is better than Pulp. This is the kind of album you can listen to now and twenty years from now.
  13. MatthewC
    Sep 29, 2005
    10
    Definitely one of my favorite albums of 2005. Great late night music - echoes of '50s and '60s crooners, Roy Orbison, early rock 'n roll. Lovely use of string arrangements in places. Hawley has a deep, rich voice that makes the album very satisfying listening. A really refreshing change of pace. Very very highly recommended.
  14. milann
    Jan 14, 2006
    10
    classic
  15. KasperN
    Feb 3, 2006
    10
    This is why i love music.
  16. Mistra
    Nov 23, 2005
    10
    He is like an old wine. The more you listen to him, the better he gets! And once he crawls under your skin, you cant get rid of him, he becomes alive, becomes a third person in the room,..
  17. HeisWrong
    Nov 9, 2005
    10
    Ted needs to unclog his ears. Pay no attention to him, this is a great cd.
  18. BenJ
    Dec 7, 2005
    9
    This sounds like no other record I own, and I absolutely love it. Album of the year in my book. Richard Hawley, your songs are gorgeous.
  19. BlowMe
    Sep 25, 2005
    10
    Best album of the year. Best voice in music today.
  20. Rosie
    Nov 25, 2006
    7
    The perfect album for when you don't really want to listen. This is undemanding music, but while musically it's firmly middle of the road, it's written and performed with flair and sincerity. Just the thing for when you're too tired for complicated art rock.
  21. lambo89
    Oct 1, 2011
    10
    Six years on... I will never get tired of listening to this album. Beautifully crafted, wonderfully performed and the production is incredible. Stunning.
  22. Ricko
    Nov 19, 2017
    9
    Magnificient record from the Sheffield songwriter and well worthy of its Mercury Music Prize nomination. The songwriting is on "Coles Corner" is first class and throughout it just feels like a record from another time. Hints of Bacharach can be found throughout but with the rock n'roll never too far away. This album is a thing of beauty and filled with diamonds but my personal highlightsMagnificient record from the Sheffield songwriter and well worthy of its Mercury Music Prize nomination. The songwriting is on "Coles Corner" is first class and throughout it just feels like a record from another time. Hints of Bacharach can be found throughout but with the rock n'roll never too far away. This album is a thing of beauty and filled with diamonds but my personal highlights would be opener "Coles Corner", "Just Like The Rain", "The Ocean" and "Born Under A Bad Sign".… Expand
  23. Muddsjr
    Nov 13, 2014
    8
    Coles Corner is at times fabulously and masterfully beautiful in its lush, melancholic balladry of love. Hawley has conjured music warming yet saddening, both blissful and also tearful, and enough altogether to prove what a unique and knowledgeable artist he is in music.

Awards & Rankings

25
#25 Best Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. AllMusic
    90
    Cole's Corner is glorious, magical, and utterly lovely in its vision, articulation, and execution.
    Read full review
  2. Mojo
    80
    A glorious melange of love, loss, regret, homesickness and romance. [Sep 2005, p.86]
  3. musicOMH.com
    80
    An album of gorgeous, lush songs.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »