by
Ryley Walker
- Record Label: Dead Oceans Records
- Release Date: Aug 19, 2016
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Aug 12, 2016This time round Walker has brought influences from his native Chicago scene to the forefront of his music, loosening up and expanding his sound with frankly blinding results.
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Aug 12, 2016As with many great albums, successive hearings reveal more clearly the elliptical tunes at the heart of these eight quietly intense pieces, climaxing with the eight-minute “Age Old Tale”, a masterly band performance.
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UncutOct 5, 2016[A] profound, funny, intricate album. [Sep 2016, p.63]
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Aug 12, 2016Golden Sings That Have Been Sung manages to catch the restlessly churning, improvisatory lightning of Walker's live shows in the studio, whilst wisely cutting out any idling that could grate in home listening.
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Nov 21, 2016Golden Sings both celebrates and transcends ordinary existence, finding revelation in small, perfect turns of song.
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Aug 22, 2016Whilst there are still examples of the kind of dexterous acoustic guitar playing now closely associated with Walker’s music, there is also a greater sense of space and time here, enabling Walker to place greater emphasis on his lyrics.
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Aug 17, 2016Golden Sings That Have Been Sung is a personal best for Walker, innovation for the genre and in general, just a damn good listen.
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MojoAug 12, 2016[Producer Bach shaped] fragmentary song ideas into sprawling, free-flowing arrangements that nod to Mark Hollis, Tim Buckley and Jim O'Rourke. [Sep 2016, p.90]
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Aug 12, 2016There's no rage in this music, but it feels unsettling all the same, and that's a major step for a young artist as he starts to find his voice.
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Aug 24, 2016This level of emotional complexity pervades the record. While his lyrical flourishes are at times sloppy or overly opaque.
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Aug 17, 2016On some level his songs are all age-old tales, but put together in his own exacting way, which makes them new.
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Aug 17, 2016Despite his growing confidence and excellent production and arrangements, the singing and lyric writing still need work. This is a snapshot of where he is at the moment. It's a solid effort even with its flaws.
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Aug 15, 2016Walker's latest, Golden Sings That Have Been Sung, goes a long way toward establishing a sound and persona that's unique to the singer/songwriter.
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Aug 18, 2016Pivoting genres is no easy feat, and growing pains are expected and present. His knack for precision and developing lush arrangements on these eight songs proves that he’s more than up to the task.
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Aug 15, 2016It’s evident that Walker is talented and brimming with ideas--and there are moments on this record that mark the best music he’s ever made. But he needs to get a better understanding of his strengths if he wants to become more than just another nifty live-guitar throwback.
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Aug 18, 2016None of it bad, just a disappointment after that phenomenal opening.