Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle

Good lyrics, but he's not a good singer and since he's no Cohen or Dylan when it comes to writing melodies, the shortcomings are more visible. I do like his strings and horns and think if he just tried to sing more and do less phonebook reading, it would be much better.

Sublime. Contemplative. Beautiful. Purposeful. Dark. All these are apt descriptions for ex-Smog singer Bill Callahan’s new solo effort. Orchestrated in a way his previous band never was — or attempted to be — the storytelling and arrangements of these songs suit Callahan’s deep melancholic voice perfectly. Like 2008’s For Emma, Forever Ago by Bon Iver, this is a haunting, personal record that lingers long after it’s finished playing.

Obviously the positive reviews of from friend of Bill. What a snooze-fest! This "music career" is set up to provide tax relief come every April. How is this music categorized in the rock genre?? The listener is so put off by the vocals one can conclude that this is some kind of practical joke and the joke is on the fool who buy this....this...call it what ever you want. One thing is for sure you can't dance to it.

Great album! "Too many birds" is my favorite.

This album is absolutley amazing. Eid Ma Clack Shaw is perphaps the greatest lyrical song I have ever heard!

Stephen Thompson, from NPR Music suggested that these songs "plant themselves in your brain, [and] lay eggs..." Callahan's music has this enigmatic ability. After listening to this record, you will find yourself unconciously mumbling the half-remembered words and music as you go through your day - walking about, in the restroom...whenever your mind is free to wander. This record isn't great or perfect by any means, in fact there a songs that are almost embarassingly awkward - making you wonder, "what was he thinking?" etc. However, the opening track, "Jim Cain" is among his finest works, second only to "Palimpsest" from "A River Ain't Too Much to Love." "Jim Cain" alone is reason to pick up this record. It will knock you out - easily, my favorite song of the year.

Makes quietly intense records that seek the purity of what songwriting can be like Leonard Cohen, Townes Van Zandt, Dylan. Those guys told stories, but something different here. Placing their songwriting goals with a reference to nature and Buddhist thought about the self. The personal politics of the songs are incredibly tense, overwhelming, yet the music is lush and driving. Maybe it's because he has more funding for studio time or is just hitting his stride is the question. Fun to watch him make the best records of his career right now. His records are great to get absorbed in, or just be the background to living. This one is darker than the last two. Like the Nick Drake vibes he conjures up on this one. Getting close to being my generation's Cohen, Young, Dylan. Seems very close to making absolutely genius albums. Woke up on a whale heart is pretty close. This one, too.

Callahan is one of the best most unique song writers around. This is an amazing album even better than his last one.

it's soooo sad, b/c so many songs are about his breakup with joanna newsom. it makes me tear up a bit.

the one star review comes from a person who apparently only likes wynton marsalis. wow. anywho- another easy going well written affair from bill callahan.