My favorite Palace album
5
By Horselover Fat Jr
Which makes this my favorite album of all time. Perfect.
Even fans don't understand this one
2
By Tim Bombadim
I can accept the piano playing as an etude on minimalist songwriting but the rest... good Lord, the hooks don't hook onto anything
You'll get it when you get it.
5
By Taxiderm the Pachyderm
This is not an album that can just be picked up at a record store and enjoyed right off the bat. It is one that, like another reviewer on this page noted, takes some time to get into. It's not easy to get used to even if you're already a huge fan of Will's material like I was when I first heard it.
Yet if you allow this album to slowly grow on you, it is a near certainty that you'll have that "a-ha" moment. Musically, it's still not my favorite Will Oldham album - that title still belongs to Viva Last Blues - however, "Arise Therefore" contains what are clearly the best lyrics Will has ever written. And, like every album he's done, the closer is phenomenal. In fact, "The Weaker Soldier" is possibly one of the best closers I have ever heard on any album, period.
In two words: get this. Even if you don't "get it" right away, you will in time.
Oldham's best
5
By thejosephboys
far and away my favorite Will Oldham (Palace Brothers, Palace Music, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, etc) record. and David Grubbs' accompaniment on piano/organ is fantastic. if you're listening to clips, i recommend checking: the title track; "Weaker Soldier"; "Disorder"; and "Give Me Children".
it'll take time...
5
By iwasacowboy
i've had this record for about eight years now and i find myself needing to hear it with extreme regularity. it'll take time, though, for anyone new to will oldham. his voice lilts, breaks, whispers, shouts, chokes, and snarls (and he also makes animal noises sometimes). you'll thank yourself for the time you spend with it. will is amongst the brightest gems of american artists
