Hozier

1. LittleMatthew

   Jul 13, 2015

   10

   In a soulful and consistent record, Hozier sings with a certain melancholic tone that in conjunction with the choir and string arrangementsIn a soulful and consistent record, Hozier sings with a certain melancholic tone that in conjunction with the choir and string arrangements make this album an anthem for those who love, suffer and enjoy blues, rock and folk music.… Expand

   • 1 of 1 users found this helpful
2. A2Townie

   Oct 8, 2014

   10

   A tremendous achievement. Hozier deftly draws from blues, folk and soul to create an album that is mesmerizing, deeply satisfying andA tremendous achievement. Hozier deftly draws from blues, folk and soul to create an album that is mesmerizing, deeply satisfying and completely unique. Recorded almost entirely in the quiet space of his attic in Wicklow, the album has the feel of the listener being invited in to witness and experience a young man's coming of age. Each track demonstrates an emotional maturity in the arrangement, vocals and lyrics that is very rarely seen in a debut album. Timeless and hauntingly beautiful, this is a once in a generation album.… Expand

   • 3 of 4 users found this helpful
4. thaleslucas

   Oct 30, 2014

   10

   This is one of the most wonderful album that I ever hear in my life!!
   
   Hozier knows how to express his feelings, using words so deep andThis is one of the most wonderful album that I ever hear in my life!!
   
   Hozier knows how to express his feelings, using words so deep and stronger. The Blues, Folk and Soul that he puts on this album is a kind of love and hurt. I'm really impressed.
   
   Best songs: "Take Me To Church", "To Be Alone", "Like Real People Do" and "My Love Will Never Die".… Expand

   • 3 of 6 users found this helpful
5. agibbons_96

   Jun 15, 2015

   9

   On his debut, Irish singer-songwriter Hozier draws on his influences of blues, soul and folk and twists them into his own image.On his debut, Irish singer-songwriter Hozier draws on his influences of blues, soul and folk and twists them into his own image.
   
   Gothic-esque undertones are present throughout the album, particularly on tracks such as "Take Me to Church" and "From Eden". Hozier's lyrical skill is evident on "In a Week", which features Karen Cowley on vocals. The song is set in the Wicklow Mountains, commonly associated with death and murder in Ireland. The vocal interplay between Hozier and Cowley is hauntingly beautiful.
   
   "Someone New" adds a mainstream feel to the record whilst still rooted in the blues style. Songs such as "To Be Alone" and "Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene" draw on the garage-blues evident in the work of The Black Keys and Jack White's solo material.
   
   The album though, does not come without a couple of weaker tracks, in particular on "Sedated", which on most albums, would be considered to be an album highlight, but the quality of the album as a whole makes the song seem slightly redundant among the rest of the record.
   
   The album's final track, "Cherry Wine" is a fantastic album closer, and adds a brilliant balance to the moodier tracks on the second half of the record, especially "Work Song" and "It Will Come Back", the latter, arguably, the strongest track on the entire LP.
   
   As a whole, Hozier has a great deal to offer, and the fact the album is not (strictly speaking) a mainstream blues record only adds to its appeal. It is not a perfect record by any means, but very few are, especially in modern mainstream music. However, there is enough on this record to suggest that Hozier will be at the forefront of mainstream music for many years to come.
   
   Album Highlights - "Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene", "Someone New", "To Be Alone", "From Eden" and "It Will Come Back".… Expand

   • 1 of 1 users found this helpful
6. Ricko

   Jul 31, 2015

   8

   Hozier has enjoyed an incredible level of success in a relatively short time on the scene. Less than 2 years after releasing his first EP andHozier has enjoyed an incredible level of success in a relatively short time on the scene. Less than 2 years after releasing his first EP and within months of releasing his debut album, Hozier is now a household name across the planet. There is no doubting the man is talented but so are many other artists who work and tour endlessly in the hope of getting their music heard, all to no avail. What sets Hozier apart from all the rest? To me it is down to him making the right video for the right song at exactly the right time. Whether it was on purpose or pure luck, Hozier's song "Take Me To Church" and more importantly the video that went with it. At a time when gay rights is not only an important and topical issue but also a huge populist issue (as seen in the build up to and results of the May 2015 marriage referendum in Ireland), the video to "Take Me To Church" fed into the Zeitgeist. Good luck to Hozier with it - its a great song and deserves to be heard. The annals are full of one hit wonders but Hozier has successfully followed up his breakthrough hit with a string of others. While nothing on the eponymous "Hozier" comes close to the 9 out of 10 "Take Me To Church", it is an album that deserves a pat on the back for its consistency. Every 2 or 3 years, an artist breaks through with an album seemingly loaded with hit singles and proceeds to take over the global airwaves. As it is, "Hozier" already sounds like a greatest hits compilation. You can see why the record has been such a commercial success - the music is catchy, current and has more or less a universal appeal. That said, it will be interesting to listening back in a couple of years and see just how well it lasts - I feel Hozier lacks the depth of the truly great solo artists and his worth will only really be seen across his next few albums.… Expand

   • 1 of 1 users found this helpful
7. Radiosight

   Oct 12, 2014

   8

   Though it may not be entirely flawless, Hozier has created what is arguably one of the greatest debut albums in years; a beautiful collectionThough it may not be entirely flawless, Hozier has created what is arguably one of the greatest debut albums in years; a beautiful collection of songs carried by his remarkable lyrical skill and powerful, driving vocals.… Expand

   • 1 of 2 users found this helpful
8. cr1st18n

   May 9, 2021

   0

   Stinky album so stinky very stinky ha deal I’m not good bad stinky stinky album very bad

   • 0 of 1 users found this helpful

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