Will Oldham No Longer Interests Me

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He is progressively becoming less interesting. Even Superwolf was overrated in my ears. Most everything he's released under the Bonnie "Prince" moniker outside of I See A Darkness has been a dud to me, And I LOVED almost everything he did during the Palace days. I bring this up because the new album is AWFUL. I finally had to admit to myself I'm just not that into him.

― paul Menchaca (Violent Tom), Friday, 28 July 2006 02:53 (nineteen years ago)

sorry man

i hope you can carry on

― mookieproof (mookieproof), Friday, 28 July 2006 02:55 (nineteen years ago)

amen

― kevin barking (arghargh), Friday, 28 July 2006 02:57 (nineteen years ago)

bummerz

― electric sound of jim [and why not] (electricsound), Friday, 28 July 2006 03:41 (nineteen years ago)

I lost interest around Viva Last Blues, and never bought anything after that. The only song I really liked on that was the one about fucking a mountain or something.
Suppose I should get around to I See A Darkness one of these days, but whatever. I still liked the first two Palace LPs the last time I listened to them.

― Marmot 4-Tay: Hold these goddamn chickens! (marmotwolof), Friday, 28 July 2006 03:47 (nineteen years ago)

didn't he do that covers album with tortoise? that looked dreadful.

― a name means a lot just by itself (lfam), Friday, 28 July 2006 03:51 (nineteen years ago)

I basically agree with the original poster, although I see Ease Down the Road as a peak for him. Also, the first and last tracks on Master and Everyone are killer, he hasn't done much for me since.

― Jena (JenaP), Friday, 28 July 2006 04:01 (nineteen years ago)

Marmot OTM.

Yawnsville, population Will Oldham.

― Brooker Buckingham (Brooker B), Friday, 28 July 2006 04:08 (nineteen years ago)

some pretty moments throughout Master and Everyone and some fantastic renditions of older tunes (no more workhorse blues, gulf shores, viva ultra, new partner) on BPB Sings Greatest Palace. prolonged reveling in the schtick ain't too bad

― held tony (held tony), Friday, 28 July 2006 04:42 (nineteen years ago)

He sounded good on 'Ruby' by Chris Vrenna's Tweaker

― nicky lo-fi (nicky lo-fi), Friday, 28 July 2006 04:56 (nineteen years ago)

i thought he was improving. sometimes there's a shitload of subtle emotion coming across in his recent singing. and in general his voice sounds gorgeous. finally it matches the lyrics. and yet, the songs are bizarrely tedious, true. i think the old stuff though is so bad musically (wellmost of hte time) that its unbearable.

― Susan Douglas (Susan Douglas), Friday, 28 July 2006 05:01 (nineteen years ago)

No Jandek for you then.

― Marmot 4-Tay: Hold these goddamn chickens! (marmotwolof), Friday, 28 July 2006 06:03 (nineteen years ago)

Shh dude, he's going to kick your ass.

― Steve Go1dberg (Steve Schneeberg), Friday, 28 July 2006 06:04 (nineteen years ago)

yeah he lost me around master and everyone

― jhoshea (scoopsnoodle), Friday, 28 July 2006 12:55 (nineteen years ago)

ha! i was just thinking this morning 'bout posting 'bout 'letting go', which in my not-so-humble estimation is the best thing he's done thus far in his bizarro career. what's not to like? his voice sounds gorgeous, better than it's ever sounded before (maybe 'superwolf' excepted?). he's also (finally!) figured out how to use a studio, and there's some lovely embellishments throughout. the whole album has a surprisingly lilting and dare i say sexy '70s vibe throughout, and whoever's on electric geetar rules. also: strings! all over the place! and finally and most importantly of all, THE BACKING VOCALS! i have no idea who they are but they're pretty much the perfect fit for oldham's voice: they nudge the songs just the right amount away from soft-rock tedium and into some sorta espers-goes-AOR creepiness.

disclaimer: i've been slightly obsessed with oldham since 'days of the wake'. but that don't mean i'm not gonna get the dude unnecesaary slack: i love me some 'arise therefore' and most of the BPB oeuvre, but he's had plenty dull moments ('joya', most of his early shambling singles, the greatest palace thing, etc, etc). but damn, y'all hating on this new album? how?

― nicenick (nicenick), Friday, 28 July 2006 13:10 (nineteen years ago)

why does thread exist

― david allen grier (dubplatestyle), Friday, 28 July 2006 13:11 (nineteen years ago)

why does thread exist

because the HC scene ain't what it used to be

― Thomas Tallis (Tommy), Friday, 28 July 2006 13:13 (nineteen years ago)

For a time, the people began to wonder if paul Menchaca would ever return. He had ascended the western slope of Mount Sinai two days ago, on the Sabbath. He had told them that God had spoken to him, and that he was to receive a great revelation when he reached the top. But now, many in the tribe began to worry. Rumor spread throughout the tents, whispered on the desert wind. Would paul Menchaca ever return?

Then, on the morning of the fourth day, a small boy cried out, "Mama, it is him! It is him!" The villagers began to crane their necks, shielding their eyes from the sun. Soon, all could make out the form of paul Mechaca, in his dingy robes and flowing white beard, ambling down the mountain towards their gathering. He appeared to be holding two large, rectangular objects.

As he grew closer, the objects revealed themselves to be two large stone tablet, each engraved with writings in Hebrew.

paul Mechaca, now standing before the crowd, cleared his throat and spoke, "Children of God, Israel's chosen people, I have a message for you..."

As hush fell over the assembled, paul Menchaca looked heavenward and proclaimed.

"WILL OLDHAM NO LONGER INTERESTS ME."

― M@tt He1geson: Real Name, No Gimmicks (Matt Helgeson), Friday, 28 July 2006 14:33 (nineteen years ago)

haha

― hot car fuckin' fuckfest (teenagequiet), Friday, 28 July 2006 14:39 (nineteen years ago)

Farley's Rusks no longer interest me.

― Annie Get Your Gin (noodle vague), Friday, 28 July 2006 14:46 (nineteen years ago)

Menchaca?

Or Menchaca?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 28 July 2006 14:52 (nineteen years ago)

Another Menchaca, not this one.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 28 July 2006 14:53 (nineteen years ago)

"They just weren't.progressing anymore"

― Shakey Mo Collier (Shakey Mo Collier), Friday, 28 July 2006 16:58 (nineteen years ago)

I haven't heard anything he's done since Master and Everyone, mainly because I felt that I'd heard enough then, and I think that album is really sublime.

― kyle (akmonday), Friday, 28 July 2006 17:33 (nineteen years ago)

"You Have Cum In Your Hair and Your Dick Is Hanging Out" was the peak.

― milo z (mlp), Friday, 28 July 2006 17:55 (nineteen years ago)

Superwolf was the last one I heard - thought it was pretty good but didn't bother to actually buy it. Last actual purchase was "I See a Darkness", which is definitely some kind of apex, every song is perfectly realized. I admit I was kinda curious about going to see him when he comes to town in a couple weeks... even though I haven't cared for his recent dubious experiments in collaboration (Nashville session men! Tortoise! eh, whatever)

― Shakey Mo Collier (Shakey Mo Collier), Friday, 28 July 2006 18:01 (nineteen years ago)

i think superwolf and summer in the southwest are two of the best things he's ever done, personally....superwolf is him basically trying to write led zep III acoustic jams. tight guitar playing by sweeney....summer in the southwest is crazed up crazee horse action...i like most of the tortoise album. in my book, he's been on a roll lately!

― M@tt He1geson: Real Name, No Gimmicks (Matt Helgeson), Friday, 28 July 2006 19:28 (nineteen years ago)

My initial fascination with him leveled off to this vague liking and interest, where I occasionally see Palace albums, consider buying them, and then find something that I want more. I was annoyed that he covered "The Calvary Cross" on that recent album, as that's one of those songs that's kinda perfect in it's original form, and he didn't cover it very well anyway.

Even so, most of I See A Darkness is tops, and I do adore "Ohio River Boat Song."

― clotpoll (Clotpoll), Friday, 28 July 2006 19:56 (nineteen years ago)

Fool be you who Will Oldham no longer interests.
Sensual, deeply erotic, dark and dirty, redemptive, and resigned. Subtle and sublime. Oldham can't help but exist on a level so far removed from the ADD sounds that indiedom currently embraces. I'll sip from his well without hesitation. He's earned at least this.
As someone above stated, he has a vision well worth your time and effort. (It's funny, as I read some of the above posts, I'm left wondering the flippant nature of the criticism. I imagine most comments above will have been forgotten or subsumed in a weeks time, and fortunately Oldham will continue to blow me away.) Then The Letting Go amazes.

― wonderwonder (wonderwonder), Saturday, 29 July 2006 02:26 (nineteen years ago)

>I'm left wondering the flippant nature of the criticism.<

I'm starting to think some of the more amatuer critics like to use eggageration for effect.

― nicky lo-fi (nicky lo-fi), Saturday, 29 July 2006 02:38 (nineteen years ago)

Quite possible, Nicky. Myself the prime culprit per your observation.
Regardless, I'm impressed with everything about the new Bonnie Prince Billy. Full of compassion for the listener. The depth of the recording leaves me in awe and warmly embraced. Oldham lyrically continues to paint gorgeous and forboding vistas. Push you off or jump.
Initially I was hesitant. However, I now can't imagine a world without this album.
:)

― wonderwonder (wonderwonder), Saturday, 29 July 2006 02:44 (nineteen years ago)

"Sensual, deeply erotic, dark and dirty, redemptive, and resigned. Subtle and sublime"

Don't you mean

Reflective
Brittle
Autumnal
Melancholy
Bittersweet
Brooding
Intimate
Somber
Nocturnal
Wistful

He's earned at least these.

― Suzy Creemcheese (SuzyCreemcheese), Saturday, 29 July 2006 02:52 (nineteen years ago)

Suzy you've hit the nails on the head with them there hammers. Friends and enemies indeed.

― wonderwonder (wonderwonder), Saturday, 29 July 2006 02:58 (nineteen years ago)

And how can anyone discount the cast? White, McCarthy, Sigurdsson...

― wonderwonder (wonderwonder), Saturday, 29 July 2006 03:04 (nineteen years ago)

Ebb Tide alone blows my mind.

― wonderwonder (wonderwonder), Saturday, 29 July 2006 03:06 (nineteen years ago)

Maybe he should go electroclash in order to maintain your interest

― badg (badg), Saturday, 29 July 2006 04:25 (nineteen years ago)

i liked will oldham until i read wonderwonder's post in this thread

― Tom Hatton (kl0pper), Saturday, 29 July 2006 05:39 (nineteen years ago)

I'll sip from his well without hesitation.

― Marmot 4-Tay: Hold these goddamn chickens! (marmotwolof), Saturday, 29 July 2006 05:41 (nineteen years ago)

Pervert.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 29 July 2006 05:42 (nineteen years ago)

music brings out the worst in all of us

― Susan Douglas (Susan Douglas), Saturday, 29 July 2006 05:53 (nineteen years ago)

I pity the po' fool who Will Oldham no longer interests.

― Marmot 4-Tay: I'll sip from his well without hesitation. (marmotwolof), Saturday, 29 July 2006 05:59 (nineteen years ago)

http://www.miamist.com/attachments/miami_jr/Mr.%20T.JPG

"I imagine most comments above will have been forgotten or subsumed in a weeks time, and fortunately Oldham will continue to blow me"

― Marmot 4-Tay: I'll sip from his well without hesitation. (marmotwolof), Saturday, 29 July 2006 06:05 (nineteen years ago)

ok i was wrong as usual.

― Susan Douglas (Susan Douglas), Saturday, 29 July 2006 06:08 (nineteen years ago)

I'm still interested.

I don't think he's particularly tedious, a lot of his work simply requires more attention than most are willing to expend. He's had a few missteps, but that's to be expected considering his penchant for switching things up. Even when his songwriting falters there's still a wealth of little expressive lyrical and vocal turns that keep you listening.

Also, the phrase "reveling in the schtick" is kind of insultingly reductive ain't it?

― paid in cigarettes (paid in cigarettes), Saturday, 29 July 2006 20:18 (nineteen years ago)

"He is progressively becoming less interesting. Even Superwolf was overrated in my ears. Most everything he's released under the Bonnie "Prince" moniker outside of I See A Darkness has been a dud to me, And I LOVED almost everything he did during the Palace days. I bring this up because the new album is AWFUL. I finally had to admit to myself I'm just not that into him. "

almost totally OTM, though Ease down the road is good, too.

― emekars (emekars), Saturday, 29 July 2006 22:36 (nineteen years ago)

I love the version of Daniel he does on the Tortoise album. But I thought that concept was too constricting for Tortoise. Turns out I miss the noodling when it is gone.

― from The ends of your fingers (prosper.strummer.), Sunday, 30 July 2006 15:02 (nineteen years ago)

I hear Dan Bejar's gonna give it a 10.0

― Thomas Tallis (Tommy), Sunday, 30 July 2006 15:11 (nineteen years ago)

Never mind the music, people, it's all about the fashion statements:

― Momus (Momus), Sunday, 30 July 2006 15:12 (nineteen years ago)

Agree with most of the above. The Dial-a-Country covers CD was pretty horrendous, the live album ditto, the Tortoise collab patchy. However, the recent 7 inch of him singing Puff The Magic Dragon was inspired and not just in a ''alternative misery-guts singer covers jaunty kids track'' way. Well, maybe that actually. Boomkat still have copies (2.99). Go investigate/invest.

― Kim Tortoise (petergat), Monday, 31 July 2006 11:34 (nineteen years ago)

Great pictures Momus. Just one eye-patch away from genius. Sadly we'll never see him (or yourself) on Top of the Pops now.

― Kim Tortoise (petergat), Monday, 31 July 2006 11:43 (nineteen years ago)

maybe the problem for me with Oldham's music is that it sounds as an ironic post-modern version of old folk songs, while trying very hard to be authentic.The line is very thin between the two, but Oldham,for nost of the time, don't deliver the emotions that,for example,Judee sill created,and you left kinda indifferent.
though i have to say i'm listening now to "the letting go" and the production sometimes is quite impressive, Judee Sill style.

― emekars (emekars), Monday, 31 July 2006 17:38 (nineteen years ago)

seventeen years pass...

Oldham’s extensive catalog has started to feel to me increasingly like a huge pile of found anonymous letters. I don’t know who they’re from, I don’t know who they’re to, and I don’t know what they’re referring to, and sorting through them feels like a chore.

― longtime caller, first time listener (man alive), Tuesday, 30 July 2024 14:28 (one year ago)

He peaked in Matewan

― Bad Bairns (Boring, Maryland), Tuesday, 30 July 2024 15:48 (one year ago)

Ease Down The Road is still my jam.

― bratwurst autumn (Eazy), Tuesday, 30 July 2024 17:20 (one year ago)

I remember thinking Ease Down The Road was AOR in 2001, then someone walked off with my copy later that year so never revised that opinion until a couple of years ago. Hearing it again a couple of years ago, I couldn't quite believe I considered it such a letdown at the time (and stopped following him)

― PaulTMA, Tuesday, 30 July 2024 17:33 (one year ago)

Having said that it seemed like too much hard work to keep up with him anyway

― PaulTMA, Tuesday, 30 July 2024 17:34 (one year ago)

This guy annoyed me by writing some kind of "rebuttal" to Canadian magazine Exclaim! after they asked him to fill out a questionnaire they gave to a different musician every month.

― Halfway there but for you, Thursday, 1 August 2024 02:12 (one year ago)

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