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In The Gardens Of The North

Sleeping States

In The Gardens Of The North

Literary, avant-garde, and acoustic experimental songs on the second album from Markland Starkie's one-man project

ADM rating[?]

6.8

Label
Bella Union
UK Release date
10/08/2009
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  1. 9.0 |   Drowned In Sound

    The wordiness of the album, its strangely stately production, can at times make it feel heavy, weighed down by the burden of its concepts. Yet maybe that dark undercurrent is the point, Starkie’s songs capturing people trapped in their town, dreaming of an alternate, parallel life of escape, or writing whilst sunburnt, dreaming of a colder time.
    Read Review

  2. 8.0 |   Uncut

    Print edition only

  3. 8.0 |   The Quietus

    Determinedly lo-fi, but high-concept and studied, with a tremendous degree of craft, this is the sound of an expensive musical education being put to use in the most unexpected, experimental fashion.
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  4. 8.0 |   Pitchfork

    The restless spirit that fueled Markland Starkie's previous work is still present. It's just being expressed in a way that demands your attention instead of distracting it. And the attention that In the Gardens of the North demands, it rewards tenfold
    Read Review

  5. 7.0 |   NME

    An album of rejuvenating beauty.
    Read Review

  6. 7.0 |   Clash

    ‘In The Gardens Of The North’ is a record for a rainy day rather than a summer’s evening, but its charm is undeniable.
    Read Review

  7. 7.0 |   The Observer

    Starkie has the edge over Bon Iver et al: surrendering to these meandering harmonies and his mesmerising voice is to feel thoroughly, wonderfully lost in those woods
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  8. 6.0 |   Evening Standard

    Starkie's velveteen croon, which echoes the bruised heroism of Jeff Buckley, sews this odd patchwork together. When it works, as on the outstanding Showers in Summer, it's strange, seductive and utterly original
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  9. 6.0 |   Q

    Print edition only

  10. 6.0 |   Rave Magazine

    For all the somnambulist charm captured throughout, there doesn’t seem to be enough melodic gravitas, even despite Markland’s clear voice and smooth lyrical delivery
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  11. 4.0 |   Mojo

    Print edition only

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Sleeping States: In The Gardens Of The North

  • Download full album for just £7.99
  • 1. Rings Of Saturn £0.99
  • 2. The Next Village £0.99
  • 3. Showers In Summer £0.99
  • 4. Breathing Space £0.99
  • 5. Gardens Of The South £0.99
  • 6. Red King £0.99
  • 7. On The Beach At Aldeburgh £0.99
  • 8. A Spiral Not Repeated £0.99
  • 9. The Cartographer £0.99
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