• Record Label: Jet Set
  • Release Date: Nov 4, 2003
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 18
  3. Negative: 1 out of 18
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    Honestly isn't too different from Painters. [Listen 2 This supplement, Nov 2003, p.39]
  2. The bottom line here is that Kozelek's aesthetic with Sun Kil Moon may not be radically different than his RHP project, but it is moving, graceful, and consciously beautiful.
  3. Ghosts of the Great Highway represents an expansive, continent-traversing narrative that evokes the literary style of John Steinbeck and the vivid imagery of everyday American life captured in the watercolors of Edward Hopper.
  4. Magnet
    90
    A gorgeous record brimming with unhurried songs. [#61, p.108]
  5. Ghosts of the Great Highway easily ranks among the very best of Kozelek's dense discography, and it seems fair to suggest that it will become the measuring stick against which any future non-Red House Painters material is compared.
  6. It's like everything that has always been great about the Red House Painters made a notch or two more exciting in the studio.
  7. For the first time, Kozelek has put out an album whose meticulous sequencing yields more than just a random scattershot collection of great songs, but rather a complete cohesive musical statement.
  8. The net result is a crisp, sometimes crunchy, and often lush collection of songs that show Kozelek at his best since... Songs for a Blue Guitar.
  9. Ghosts Of The Great Highway is all soft spots but no weak spots.
  10. Ghosts of the Great Highway is one of those albums that you want to have around for when life gets you down.
  11. Uncut
    80
    A record where mature contemplation and a relative flexibility triumph over despondency and formula. [Mar 2004, p.94]
  12. Q Magazine
    80
    With Kozelek's compelling ache of a voice to the fore, his star deserves to wax anew. [Mar 2004, p.113]
  13. Ghosts of the Great Highway is propelled by excellent songwriting, rich, heartfelt vocals, and solid musicianship.
  14. Mojo
    80
    [Kozelek] has never sounded more inspired, achieving a rich balance of haunting atmosphere and twangy grit. [Feb 2004, p.101]
  15. There are a few peaks, not much in the way of valleys, and although it's not the best work by Kozelek, it's still pretty damn good.
  16. Alternative Press
    70
    A refreshing slice of acoustic rock from an indie icon. [Nov 2003, p.114]
  17. Rolling Stone
    70
    Kozelek remains as inscrutable as ever, but he avoids the archness that sometimes infected his earlier work. [27 Nov 2003, p.92]
  18. With a snoozilicious country-rock sound that makes even the Eagles seem crisp by comparison, Kozelek appears to have temporarily mothballed his greater sonic ambitions and opted instead for a niche as a latter-day Mazzy Star for boys.
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 36 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 36
  2. Negative: 3 out of 36
  1. PaulRocks
    Jan 17, 2006
    10
    The is possibly Kozeleks best and most consistant body of work. It is an album of stunning melodies merging acoustic and electric to The is possibly Kozeleks best and most consistant body of work. It is an album of stunning melodies merging acoustic and electric to beautiful effect as he recalls the "Ghosts" of the titles. It culminates in the mighty Duk Koo Kim which weighs in at 14 minutes ( and is apparently the number of rounds the boxer of the title fought in his tragic fight that claimed his life) Full Review »
  2. MichaelM
    Dec 6, 2005
    10
    This is my life support record, one of the best albums I'll ever hear, I'm sure.
  3. Darryl
    Oct 28, 2005
    10
    His voice is so soaring that the harmonies tend to bury the clever lyrics and most capable accompanying bandmates. Nothing's missing His voice is so soaring that the harmonies tend to bury the clever lyrics and most capable accompanying bandmates. Nothing's missing here. Great songs, great singer, great band. Gentle Moon burys the entire state catalogue of Tennessee. Full Review »