Albums to watch

All Is Falling

James Blackshaw

All Is Falling

An eight-part modern classical / instrumental folk suite featuring piano and an array of other orchestral instruments from the composer and 12-string guitar virtuoso

ADM rating[?]

7.3

Label
Young God
UK Release date
23/08/2010
  1. 8.0 |   The Digital Fix

    There is definitely something heart-wrenchingly cinematic about the music
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  2. 8.0 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    Blackshaw’s musical interests stretch far beyond the guitar. Successfully combining these interests to create the impressive All Is Falling may well be his greatest success of all
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  3. 8.0 |   The Skinny

    Although Blackshaw is primarily a guitarist, this is not simply a 'guitar record' ... Blissful listening
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  4. 8.0 |   Spin

    A chattering crescendo of melody and tension, with piano-based snowdrifts giving way to Morricone epics that ultimately unfold into a harrowing, nail-biting sonic swarm
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  5. 8.0 |   musicOMH

    The music seems to flow seamlessly, with Blackshaw's characteristic ebb and flow approach to arrangement superbly demonstrated on a grander scale
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  6. 8.0 |   Blurt

    A singular vision for guitar-based folk-into-classical music
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  7. 7.8 |   Pitchfork

    They are ... good ideas, and Blackshaw is getting better at realizing them. On All Is Falling, Blackshaw seems more in control
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  8. 7.5 |   The Observer

    He retains his fluency and All Is Falling is an accomplished leap
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  9. 7.5 |   Bowlegs

    [He] is slowly creating a series of beautiful, self contained semi classical, folk based records ... All is Falling may be his most accessible yet
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  10. 7.0 |   Tiny Mix Tapes

    Even if not entirely electrifying, Blackshaw still manages to tap into deep emotional and intellectual currents, which makes for a worthwhile but exhausting experience
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  11. 7.0 |   PopMatters

    Shows that James Blackshaw is more than just the brilliant guitar player we’ve known as: he is also a bracing and highly skilled composer
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  12. 7.0 |   Drowned In Sound

    You have the real sense of Blackshaw as a musician and composer in a process of constant evolution, and it’s a fascinating and melancholy pleasure to hear his journey
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  13. 6.5 |   Prefix

    All His Falling -- his eighth studio album -- finds him in true composer’s clothes, directing a small string section to accompany his guitar and piano
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  14. 6.0 |   Mojo

    Print edition only

  15. 6.0 |   The List

    While the gorgeous resonance of Blackshaw’s acoustic tone is missed, the toothier tone of the electric 12-string suits this material well
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James Blackshaw: All Is Falling

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