Visions of Us on the Land
by Damien Jurado
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
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  1. Record Collector
    Feb 26, 2016
    100
    It’s the real deal, the meat of his canon and bearing rewards for fans old and new.
  2. The A.V. Club
    Mar 18, 2016
    83
    Though the collab with Swift has resulted in easily Jurado’s most fascinating records as a songwriter, the wide-open road might be a little too inviting at times--because occasionally you need to consult a map for fear of driving off the end of the Earth.
  3. PopMatters
    Apr 8, 2016
    80
    Visions of Us on the Land may not be the most surprising of the trilogy, from a listener’s standpoint, but it is certainly the most assured.
  5. AllMusic
    Mar 29, 2016
    80
    It's an intense and trippy odyssey, one that should make fans old and new appreciative of Jurado's depth while mulling along.
  6. Under The Radar
    Mar 21, 2016
    80
    With bountiful sonic and lyrical left turns that are full of adventure, mystery, and soul-searching, Jurado completes his vision for the trilogy in grand fashion.
  7. Dusted Magazine
    Mar 21, 2016
    80
    Like the last two Damien Jurado albums, this one takes a while to sink in, and it’s backloaded, so you have to get all the way through for the payoff. And yet, if you’ve taken the other two Maraqopa journeys, it is remarkable how this third installment augments and complements them.
  8. Exclaim
    Mar 21, 2016
    80
    Visions of Us on the Land combines made-for-TV sci-fi soundscapes, Americana, pop, rock and indie-folk with thundering percussion, psychedelic synth, gospel choir and distorted guitar in a sonic palette that charms and mystifies.
  9. Uncut
    Feb 26, 2016
    80
    Dreamy, trippy and filled with elegant hooks, it's his best yet. [Apr 2016, p.75]
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  10. Mojo
    Feb 26, 2016
    80
    Its 17 yearning, numinous essays, with lyrics that are part road trip, part inward odyssey, inhabiting a liminal, sepia-tinted sound world. [Apr 2016, p.88]
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  11. Q Magazine
    Feb 26, 2016
    80
    His world-weary vocals are leavened by his winning way with clinging melody and an overpowering sense of impish, but committed adventure. [Apr 2016, p.108]
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  12. Consequence
    Mar 14, 2016
    75
    We’ve been graced with a look into his personal refuge, and it’s been beautiful.
  13. American Songwriter
    Mar 15, 2016
    70
    Jurado manages to fill Visions Of Us On The Land full of musical surprises, but the unfettered emotion that sneaks in toward the end is the most welcome surprise of all.
  14. The Skinny
    Mar 3, 2016
    60
    On the Land Blues is especially reminiscent of the latter’s Blue Ridge Mountains, but lacks their pathos and grandeur. Otherwise, there’s plenty else for the ears to feast on.

Awards & Rankings

63
#63 Best Album of 2016

User Reviews

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User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. Platendraaier
    Mar 21, 2016
    8
    Visions of Us on the Land is the poignant and musically profound end of a stunning trilogy. How Damien Jurado connects himself with hisVisions of Us on the Land is the poignant and musically profound end of a stunning trilogy. How Damien Jurado connects himself with his characters and lets their vision both gather momentum as awaken in pure beauty shows his talent as a musician. Without effort he alternates psychedelic and impenetrable sounds with acoustic gems, to link together different layers of music with the synths. The attention and status he earns as a musician has not been given to him yet, but with the emotional and poetic songs he receives something much more valuable, his dream world Maraqopa. 8/10

    Full Review in Dutch: https://www.platendraaier.nl/albumrecensies/damien-jurado-visions-of-us-on-the-land/    … Full Review »
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