Review of "Nick Drake"

Nick Drake

Folk

Tanworth-in-Arden, England

http://www.algonet.se/~iguana/DRAKE/DRAKE.html

Depressing but beautiful acoustic music.

Depressing but beautiful acoustic music.

Nick Drake is amazing. You probably know him from the VW Cabrio commercial, where he's singing 'Pink Moon'. He recorded his 3 albums in the late 60's and early 70's, before killing himself in 1974. His last record, also titled 'Pink Moon' is my favorite. It's just him and a guitar, as opposed to his other two records with a full band. It's eerie music, but amazing stuff.

lilting, calming, gorgeous.

i'll have to echo josh's sentiments on this one. i only have _pink moon_, but i love it--and not just 'cause it reminds me of that great VW commercial. it's sparse, acoustic-folkie sounding music--sort of a precursor to elliott smith.

He was the best songwriter of his fertile generation.

Nick Drake is often held up as what a songwriter should be. I agree wholeheartedly. His sweet melodies are in stark contrast with his often bleak lyrics. I discovered his stuff waaaaayy back in 1985 and have been advocating it ever since. While I prefer Pink Moon to his other two, they are all masterpieces. You'll find some nice Richard Thompson session work on Bryter Layter, I think. This is what moody folk music should be.

still haven't seen the commercial of lore.

but i still appreciate that the "johnny-come-lately"s have discovered his work. though it is sometimes disappointing when everyone finds out about your favorite obscure musician, it's a crime to keep music this good under wraps. so though i am sad that my favorite music is being used to advertise for cars (the cult for nissan sentras? what does ian astbury care about nissan sentras? i ask you...), but my hope is that by exposing mainstream america to good, intelligent, thoughtful music, they will be enlightened beyond their wildest dreams, as i have been. and maybe then they'll stop voting for george bush and his ilk. revolution through good tunes, that's my plan...

just beautiful

Like Josh said, you've probably heard Nick Drake on those car commercials, or on the greatest TV show ever, "Young Americans." Pink Moon is a gorgeous album, but his others (Five Leaves Left and Bryter Layter) are just as beautiful, if a little bit more...um...produced. Good music for when you're sad or just need to listen to something quiet.

Thank you to VW's marketing

Good if not too lovelorn.