I See a Darkness

{{safesubst:#invoke:Unsubst-infobox||$params=italic_title,name,type,longtype,artist,cover,border,alt,caption,released,recorded,venue,studio,genre,length,language,label,director,producer,compiler,chronology,prev_title,prev_year,year,next_title,next_year,misc|$extra=italic_title,longtype,border,caption,language,director,compiler,chronology,year,misc|$aliases=italic title>italic_title,Italic title>italic_title,Name>name,Type>type,image>cover,Cover>cover,Border>border,Alt>alt,Caption>caption,Longtype>longtype,Artist>artist,Released>released,Recorded>recorded,Venue>venue,Studio>studio,Genre>genre,Length>length,Language>language,Label>label,Director>director,Producer>producer,Compiler>compiler,Chronology>chronology,Misc>misc|$flags=override|$B={{#ifeq:{{#invoke:Is infobox in lead|main|[Ii]nfobox [Aa]lbum}}|true|{{#if:Template:Has short description | |Template:Short description|noreplace}}}}{{#invoke:Infobox|infobox}}Template:Template otherTemplate:Category handlerTemplate:Main other{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Infobox album with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y|italic_title |type |name |image |cover |border |alt |caption |longtype |artist |released |recorded |venue |studio |genre |length |language |label |director |producer |compiler |prev_title|prev_year|next_title|next_year|chronology|year|misc}}{{#if:{{#invoke:String|match|error_category=Music infoboxes with Module:String errors|A|1=Joya1997Ease Down the Road2001studioI See a DarknessIseeaDarkness.jpgBonnie "Prince" BillyTemplate:Start date* Indie folk<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

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I See a Darkness is the sixth album by American musician Will Oldham, released on Palace Records on January 19, 1999, as the first album under the name Bonnie "Prince" Billy. The album features appearances from Bob Arellano, Colin Gagon, Paul Oldham, David Pajo, and Peter Townsend.

Critical reception

I See a Darkness received widespread critical acclaim from music critics. Samir Khan of Pitchfork described the album as Oldham's "consummate offering" and the "type of record that demands solitary reverence".<ref name="Pitchfork"/> Gregg Rounds of AllMusic wrote that it showcased "a more melodic style than the veteran Palace listener might be used to", while at the same time noting that Oldham "hasn't abandoned his foundation of mordant lyrics and minimalist arrangements, but he has built a variety of different layers that make this album an emotional and pleasurable listening experience".<ref name="AllMusic" /> The A.V. Club's Stephen Thompson remarked that I See a Darkness was the "most appropriate synthesis yet of Oldham's vocals and backing band".<ref name="A.V. Club">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Simon Williams of NME was more reserved in his praise of the album, advising listeners that "patience is a virtue" while nonetheless calling it a "delicate, intelligent record".<ref name="NME"/>

Legacy

I See a Darkness has been ranked in several publications' lists of best albums. Pitchfork ranked it the ninth best album of the 1990s.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2004, Stylus Magazine placed I See a Darkness at number 171 on its list of the 200 best albums of all time,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> while in 2006, Mojo deemed it a "modern classic" and the twentieth best album released during the magazine's lifetime.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The album was also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.<ref name= "Dimery 2010">Template:Cite book</ref>

In 2002, Matt LeMay of Stylus Magazine wrote that "by addressing concepts so grand with such sincerity and skill, the album is incredibly powerful under even the most mundane of circumstances".<ref name="Stylus">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Reviewing its 2012 reissue, Aaron Lavery of Drowned in Sound called I See a Darkness Oldham's "finest achievement thus far" and the "essential release" in his discography.<ref name="DiS"/> Q cited the album as "his masterpiece, ushering in a direct and less mythic style of songwriting".<ref name="Q"/>

Johnny Cash recorded the titular track on his 2000 album American III: Solitary Man, with Oldham providing background vocals.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Steve Adey also covered the title track on his 2006 album All Things Real.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Rosalía covered the song on her first album Los Ángeles in 2017.

Personnel

Credits adapted from liner notes.

• Bob Arellano – music
• Colin Gagon – music, mixing
• Paul Oldham – music, recording
• Will Oldham – music
• Peter Townsend – music
• David Pajo – lead guitar (on "Song for the New Breed"), mixing
• Konrad Strauss – mastering
• Joanne Oldham – skull
• Joe Oldham – photography
• Sammy Harkham – drawing
• Len Small – layout

Charts

Template:Album chartTemplate:Album chart

Chart (1999)	Peak position

External links

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