Public Domain: Songs From the Wild Land
by Dave Alvin
  • Record Label: Hightone
  • Release Date: Aug 15, 2000
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 4 Ratings

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

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Awards & Rankings

21
#21 Best Album of 2000
100
#100 Most Discussed Album of 2000
99
#99 Most Shared Album of 2000

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Village Voice (Consumer Guide)
    58
    It's not that these songs are all obvious or overdone--this nonfolkie had never heard a few of them. It's that they're so soft they squish even when Alvin tries to rev one past you, which usually he doesn't.
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  2. Rolling Stone
    70
    The handsomely produced Public Domain is so rich in history that it could do brisk business in the Smithsonian gift shop. Rather than just revisit folk gems like "Walk Right In," "Delia" and "Railroad Bill," Alvin completely reinvents them.
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  3. CDNow
    80
    His music remains lively and contemporary even when he reworks traditional songs old enough to have their copyrights lapse into the public domain.
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