Angel Olsen - Big Time | Album Review

[@telsutton]

Being a huge Will Oldham fan since the first Palace recordings I've been watching this lady's career from the moment she stepped on stage with America's finest lyricist of the last 30 years... 'Windows' is still her finest moment. Whatever she does, Angel is a unique voice.

[@davidellis5141]

It's an impressive album - Like her vocals & the production. My parents divorced when I was 10 & both died of cancer when I was in my 30's , 2 years apart. They were my best friends & losing both was incredibly jarring. Angel is lucky she can express her feelings through her music 🎶 & she does it with eloquence.

[@michelewiese48]

Nothing makes you appreciate life more than loss. The decision to embrace self-love & expression instead of bitterness is an important one. Thank you for sharing your story. 🤗❤️

[@davidellis5141]

@@michelewiese48 Thank You Michelle 😃 - I appreciate the kind words. Thanks to Jason & Joe as well.

[@Lamus13]

Joe, “All the Flowers” sounds familiar to you because it is the Pachelbel’s Canon chord progression that so many songs have used over the decades.

[@davebrubeck]

Agree with Jason on all of this (Joe also brings up a lot of good points vis a vis the production). I think Angel Olsen's one of the best voices out there today and this is her most relaxed and comfortable sounding record maybe ever - her first where it doesn't feel like she's trying to prove something, which I think is a good thing. 4 stars, and could improve with time.

[@WhatsUpFella]

All The Flowers my favorite from the record. Just so immediately beautiful and familiar that it brought me to tears.

[@michelewiese48]

Respect.Parallels.Loss.Love.Ascension. Can’t keep a Mound City gal down for long. “Big Time” is my favorite track. Please watch the film that accompanies this album, if you haven’t already. Thank you for this review (hope it’s good)- You guys are the best!

[@adamhasideas6813]

Great review! I love how you two can explain so well why you enjoy music and why it might be lacking in some areas. This really sets you apart from other review channels. I don't really know Angel Olsen, but now I do want to have a listen.

[@brianjackson5541]

A return to form. Very happy to hear her get back to the countryesque sound. All Mirrors just never worked for me. 4/5 !

[@stefano.b65stef77]

Hi guys, I saw Angel Olsen live at Barrowlands in Glasgow Scotland on 14th February 2020, I enjoyed the concert, the venue was packed, just at the onset of covid. Nobody knew what we were in for in a couple of weeks! I've yet to buy this album

[@johnw706]

I am unfamiliar with this artist , but , based on your reviews , I will definitely explore this album . Thanks !

[@slaydesaid8741]

Haven't heard the album yet but will give it a listen. I totally get what Joe is saying about the "go-to" style for indie rock artists, where they all seem to do a country inspired record at some time, so with that in mind I expect a good, melodic record where no new territory is explored and I expect to rate it around the same 3.5 stars. Time to check it out 🙂

[@plank577]

Just picked the CD up this week along with the new S.G. Goodman album. 3 1/2 stars for "Big Time" and 4 stars for "Teeth Marks". New Courtney Marie Andrews coming soon! "Satellite"?

[@Vanessa.P]

I was a big fan of My Woman but never got too into All Mirrors. But, I thought this album sounded great and I enjoyed it but not a lot of it stuck with me on my first listen. However, I can see it growing with time and repeated listens. I've given it 3.5 stars for now.

[@ihavenoquarrelwithyou3249]

Thanks for talking about this album, I didn't even know it was coming so will download it now! I first came across Angel Olsen when her name popped up in the credits to Bonnie Prince Billy's album Wolfroy Goes To Town. I feel like you would like some Bonnie Prince Billy/Will Oldham, Jason? The Oldham connection certainly gives her some country credibility, more than just being part of an indie fad. My Woman was where I took notice, but I did like the epic sweep of All Mirrors. Looking forward to hearing Big Time.

[@thecroft6070]

A 4 star album to me. I know what Joe means - she's playing it safe here and doing what might have been expected, although I love the richness of her voice. All Mirrors took more risks, which is why I give that 4.5 stars.

[@wesleyorser4451]

Is the new video ten zillion light years away?

[@justdave3153]

Love her voice:) My fave track from this is Through the fires. 3/5 on first listen

[@larrybusk6139]

Dying to know if y'all have heard CMAT's "If My Wife New I'd Be Dead."

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Yes I have. It’s decent. - Joe

[@TheGenreman]

Must not get her confused with April Olsen

[@davidellis5141]

April , deals in human fulfillment.

[@MegaDave8520]

Hello there

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Hiiiiii. - Joe

[@oppothumbs1]

First two songs are OK and I had to stop as they are not good enough. Olsen's production and arrangements are admirable and her voice is almost good but I feel it sounded better on a couple earlier songs that I sampled but the songs were just better too. I don't like her voice as much here when it is out in front so much though sometimes they hide it behind music . Her voice is just not my cup of tea but then it's good enough for a cinematic country album. Personally I feel her voice needs to step back and be more subtle and less grating and her vibrato does nothing for me as vibrato can be good but not with her voice. But at least she is not absolutely annoying as Bjork. Though an interesting music arranger and writer, Bjork and her vocals and screaming is like an ice pick to our ears. If you want country crooner pop with nice vibrato - this guy is much better: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5yohYyXlLF2jJo Congrats to Joe for sitting through something he doesn't seem to like much but then he gives it a 3 1/2, not much different that Jason's grade.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

My 3.5 is pretty much “I’m never going to listen to this again”. It’s good. Not great. Certainly not a chore to get through. - Joe

[@oppothumbs1]

@@TastesLikeMusic I see. You did say it was pleasant. Also Angel is on a Late Night show tonight.. I will give her another try. Alert Kramz.

[@oppothumbs1]

@@TastesLikeMusic Angel did Big Time on a late night show. I feel the same about the song - it's OK - but she had a more endearing smile and manner and a relaxed hair style unlike the severe matronly style in the video. So she was enjoyable to watch.

[@echosmyron1278]

@@oppothumbs1 You should check out the official video for “Lark.” She’s definitely enjoyable to watch in that one.

[@lisacolbert5987]

‘Not a fan’ and ‘neutral’ , aren’t those terms un-interchangeable to most ? I think of the latter as ‘I don’t like…’ .

[@echosmyron1278]

I found this album to be one-dimensional and bland, especially in comparison to her last 3 efforts. Her twangy vocal inflections started to grate on me almost immediately. The songs have almost no drive or purpose at all. Mercifully, it’s far shorter than the new Wilco album. 2.5 out of 5, will not be coming back to this. Overall, between this and the boring new Wilco and Belle & Sebastian albums, it’s been a rough few weeks for artists that I’ve enjoyed in the past.

[@richardsalazar121]

YET These guys will never make anything as impactful as angel olsens music LOL

[@TastesLikeMusic]

That’s a pretty low bar. I actually think this channel is probably more impactful than her music. - Joe