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9.1
39578
9.1 |
A.V. Club
Part of Acousmatic’s appeal is that Beal recorded these songs without any expectation that the public would hear them
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8.0
39742
8.0 |
The Irish Times
One feels Beal will become something of a fixture
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8.0
40233
8.0 |
Rave Magazine
Willis Earl Beal’s debut album is simultaneously amazing and terrible
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8.0
40292
8.0 |
Spin
Beal is a strikingly singular performer, synthesizing various muses into something deeply unique. Accordingly, it's nearly impossible to turn away
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8.0
40397
8.0 |
Mojo
Bugged-out lo-fi genius of Chicago X Factor homeless hopeful songwriter for hire. Print edition only
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8.0
39369
8.0 |
musicOMH
Acousmatic Sorcery won't propel Beal to Lana Del Rey levels of fame - it's too weird, too spooky, too idiosyncratic for that. For those who do connect with Beal's gloriously skewed vision though, you're in for a treat
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8.0
39370
8.0 |
BBC
This set emerges rough-edged, ill-fitting, barely a whisper compared to the modern studio majority; yet it resonates with such feeling that its contents are irresistible
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8.0
39371
8.0 |
No Ripcord
Willis Earl Beal is a phenomenal vocalist, with a unique drawl and searing tone. Phenomenal in virtuosity, yet even more astounding with his delivery. A man that can croon like the best of Sam Cooke is also a man that can be as experimental as Captain Beefheart
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8.0
39472
8.0 |
The Observer
Part of the beauty of this Chicagoan's extraordinary avant-blues songs is that they sound like they were recorded down phone lines
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8.0
39512
8.0 |
AU Review
The album’s melding of extreme lo-fi sounds (recalling outsiders like Daniel Johnston and Jandek) with soul/blues vocals results in something quite unique
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8.0
39515
8.0 |
Clash
At times it’s testing, but there are flashes of phenomenal creative genius here that are destined to manifest further
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8.0
39374
8.0 |
Q
Mesmerising. Print edition only
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8.0
39597
8.0 |
DIY
You’ll either love it or hate it but, ignore the buzz, take it on it’s own merits, and you might very well be rewarded
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8.0
39601
8.0 |
The Skinny
These songs are powerful, vehement, soulful, and impossible to ignore
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7.5
39603
7.5 |
Pretty Much Amazing
Chaotic, discordant experimentation and legitimate musical chops
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7.5
39373
7.5 |
Bowlegs
It’s compelling stuff. Acousmatic Sorcery isn’t showy or especially innovative, yet it is full of richness, coming from the layering of instruments and Beal’s down-but-not-out expression
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7.2
39525
7.2 |
Pitchfork
While Acousmatic Sorcery is interesting and occasionally even great on its own, it ultimately it feels very much like a hyper-creative and gifted artist trying to figure out what he's doing
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7.0
39682
7.0 |
Consequence Of Sound
Despite a few missteps, Acousmatic Sorcery is still a unique debut announcing the emergence of a fresh talent worthy of the buzz Beal has been receiving
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7.0
39517
7.0 |
Drowned In Sound
There are moments worth latching on to but for the full effect, go stand in a club with him and watch him perform
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7.0
39583
7.0 |
NME
In short, there’s lo-fi, and then there’s this album. Songs generally consist of a rudimentary, one or two-chord strum topped with Beal’s vocals, which are cracked and unrefined but have a clear blues’n’soul ancestry
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7.0
39912
7.0 |
The Digital Fix
There’s a rawness here that cuts across the spectrum, from Ellis’ paired down immediacy to the songs’ emotional openness
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6.5
40000
6.5 |
Prefix
He's already got a killer origin story, now he just needs a bulletproof album
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6.0
39886
6.0 |
hhv.de mag
Blues, soul, op and gospel are in the realm of Acousmatic Sorcery, but Beal pulls out his very own ideas from underneath and dresses them all in such dreadful lo-fi aesthetics that it can be just damn wearisome at times
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6.0
39692
6.0 |
State
He can sing and he can write songs without doubt, none of which wouldn’t benefit in ordinarily from being recorded in a proper studio
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5.2
39372
5.2 |
Beats Per Minute
Beal can write and perform songs which tug on the heartstrings as well as get you on your feet. Unfortunately, he appears determined to be kept an outsider
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5.0
40792
5.0 |
PopMatters
An intriguing work overloaded with unedited brainstorms and non-sequiturs that rarely gives the more compelling elements room to breathe and stretch out
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4.0
39404
4.0 |
The Guardian
Beal's got a great voice. He can rasp and holler, soar to a falsetto and wrap you in warmth... But the unrelenting, clanking horridness of virtually all the backing is wearing
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