I See a Darkness

Studio album by Bonnie "Prince" Billy

Released

19 January 1999

Genre

Indie rock, folk

Length

37:56

Label

Palace, Domino

Bonnie "Prince" Billy chronology

Joya
(1997)

I See a Darkness
(1999)

Ease Down the Road
(2001)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
Clash	9/10
Drowned in Sound	8/10
The List
NME	7/10
Pitchfork Media	10/10
Q
Uncut	10/10

I See a Darkness is an album by American musician Will Oldham, released under his moniker Bonnie "Prince" Billy. Released in 1999 on Palace Records, I See a Darkness is Oldham's sixth album, and the first released under the Bonnie "Prince" Billy moniker. The album features appearances from Bob Arellano, Colin Gagon, Paul Oldham, David Pajo, and Peter Townsend.

Johnny Cash recorded the title track on his 2000 album American III: Solitary Man, with Oldham providing background vocals.Steve Adey also covered the title track on his 2006 LP All Things Real.

I See a Darkness received generally positive reviews from music critics. Samir Khan of Pitchfork Media awarded the album a rare perfect score and described it as Oldham's "consummate offering" and the "type of record that demands solitary reverence". 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".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". 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".

Simon Williams of NME was more reserved in his praise of I See a Darkness, which he described as "grim" and "perversely cheery", advising listeners that "patience is a virtue" but nonetheless praising the album as a "delicate, intelligent record".Sputnikmusic's Alex Robertson noted the grim subject matter and opined that the album was most effective "when Oldham steers away from his own formula of sadness and strumming". Reviewing the 2012 reissue of the album, Aaron Lavery of Drowned in Sound felt that I See a Darkness was Oldham's "finest achievement thus far" and the "essential release" in his discography.Q called the album "his masterpiece, ushering in a direct and less mythic style of songwriting".

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Wikipedia