Rejoicing In The Hands
by Devendra Banhart
Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. AllMusic
    80
    Banhart's music is utterly unselfconscious and poetic.
  2. Blender
    70
    Lost in an eerie, graceful torpor, he opens his mouth and lets words seep out and linger, like so much intoxicating smoke.
  3. Drowned In Sound
    100
    Banhart is a complete antidote to all the consumer focus groups or hit-writers, too scared to tamper with the formula. He has stumbled upon a personal Eureka that says there're no laws governing what can be written about in song except self-imposed ones and he's taken that to his heart, and in Technicolor.
  5. Dusted Magazine
    90
    Granted, there will be some that cling to the lo-fi eccentricities of that debut, but while Oh Me Oh My... may have won him heaps of critical praise, Rejoicing in the Hands is the album that backs it all up.
  6. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    Though his second CD has a charming Ambrose Bierce quality to it, a little goes a long way.
  7. Flak Magazine
    90
    Banhart ceaselessly entrances with his brilliant combination of John Fahey-esque pickings, absurd and sometimes profoundly resonating lyrics and the craft to convey both kinds with equal candor.
  8. Junkmedia
    80
    Rejoicing in the Hands finds Banhart developing past his early lo-fi recordings in favor of a crisper, more succinct sound that highlights his intricate guitar picking.
  9. Logo
    90
    It’s as simple as songwriting can get; as striking as songwriting can get.
  10. Mojo
    90
    A nearly flawless set of left-field folk. [Jun 2004, p.106]
    All this publication's reviews
  11. Neumu.net
    90
    The combination of timeless songs, superb production and Banhart's often mesmerizing performance make for a very strong album.
  12. No Ripcord
    80
    A work of art, slightly rough around the edges and a little makeshift, but tremendously beautiful all the same.
  13. Pitchfork
    84
    Rejoicing in the Hands establishes Banhart as a major voice in new folk music. Not only does it improve on the promise of his earlier releases; it effortlessly removes the listener from the context of the recording.
  14. PopMatters
    90
    The 16 songs that appear on Rejoicing in the Hands, are so striking in their sound and so original, that no producer could've have imagined them. If anything, they affirm Devendra Banhart as one of the most unique musical talents to emerge in quite some time.
  15. Q Magazine
    80
    Even more mesmeric and deep into Nick Drake territory: intense and slightly damaged. [Jun 2004, p.94]
    All this publication's reviews
  16. ShakingThrough.net
    86
    Rejoicing in the Hands is a remarkable album, and Banhart displays a range and gift for melody that belies his twenty-three years.
  17. Splendid
    90
    The music is just as pure and personal and unintermediated as before, but it sounds better in every conceivable way.
  18. Stylus Magazine
    80
    If Oh Me Oh My was Devendra’s stunning introduction to the wide musical landscape, then Rejoicing in the Hands further marks his emergence as the most unique and important new voice in the music today.
  19. The Guardian
    70
    It sounds both brand new and old as the hills.
  20. The Wire
    80
    Banhart mixes a relaxed bearing and a tense vocal delivery in a fascinating manner. [#245, p.51]
    All this publication's reviews
  21. Tiny Mix Tapes
    100
    Anyone who can sit down in such a short period of time and write this many unique songs has to have something abnormally genius working inside.
  22. Uncut
    80
    Banhart's free-flowing oddness makes most musical eccentrics seem self-conscious and predictable. [Jun 2004, p.90]
    All this publication's reviews

Awards & Rankings

12
#12 Best Album of 2004
94
#94 Most Shared Album of 2004

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 25 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. MusicxxAddicted
    Apr 14, 2013
    10
    Not my personal favourite, but definitely Devendra's best so far. Solid, haunting, jolly, illusive (if not trippy) folk in the purest of its form.
  2. Rikardsen
    Aug 27, 2011
    10
    Can't fault this album, its not everybodys thing, but it wasn't mine till I listened to it again. I think one of the main reasons Devendra isCan't fault this album, its not everybodys thing, but it wasn't mine till I listened to it again. I think one of the main reasons Devendra is so awesome is because he has such an imagination that is reflected in his music and lyrics. I always think a complete album always sounds fresh and this is like diving into newly settled snow every time.… Full Review »
  3. KevinK
    Apr 29, 2005
    9
    Combine Antony's (from Antony and the Johsnons) over-the-top vibrato with the subdued spoken-word delivery of Iron & Wine or Sufjan Combine Antony's (from Antony and the Johsnons) over-the-top vibrato with the subdued spoken-word delivery of Iron & Wine or Sufjan Stevens, and you'll get an idea of what Devendra Banhart sounds like. His songs display an irreverent narrative that make each "listen" enjoyable. I recommend this album to any fan of Iron & Wine, The Castanets, or Sufjan Stevens. "Indie-Folk" is back in vogue, and Devendra Banhart is one of the main reasons why. Listen for yourself and see.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »