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Alela Diane & Wild Divine

Alela Diane

Alela Diane & Wild Divine

Third album of psych folk from the Californian singer-songwriter

ADM rating[?]

6.8

Label
Rough Trade
UK Release date
04/04/2011
US Release date
05/04/2011
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  1. 9.0 |   Spin

    Sports brighter, sunnier textures, thanks to producer Scott Litt (R.E.M., Nirvana), who keeps the quaint splotches of mandolin and steel guitar to a minimum. It's not pop, but it's getting closer
    Read Review

  2. 8.0 |   Evening Standard

    Emerged from the same small northern Californian town, Nevada City, as Joanna Newsom but is a rather more graspable proposition
    Read Review

  3. 8.0 |   Q

    Its her strong but sensitive voice, with its lonesome hint of yodelling, that captivates. Print edition only

  4. 8.0 |   Independent on Sunday

    The voice (Joni Mitchell meets Anna Calvi), is as tough and tender as before but the music now acts as a bouncy counterpoint to songs
    Read Review

  5. 8.0 |   Consequence Of Sound

    The third straight stunner from a remarkable songwriter who’s sure to be a fixture in folk music for years to come
    Read Review

  6. 8.0 |   AU Review

    Throughout, Diane’s voice rises and falls, illuminating all, like the sun on a yo-yo string
    Read Review

  7. 8.0 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    This is a mesmerising listen, weaving tales of love, hope, death and homecoming that will leave you with a lump in your throat and an itch for the open road
    Read Review

  8. 7.5 |   Pitchfork

    Lyrically, Diane can be just as startling as ever, employing a stream-of-conscious style that bends toward unexpected details or strange turns of phrase
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  9. 7.0 |   PopMatters

    An unmistakable voice that makes each song recognizably her own
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  10. 7.0 |   The Digital Fix

    Has moments of real beauty, haunting melodies peopled with characters from her imagination. While perhaps not a match for her debut, Alela Diane's dreamy voice continues to serenade you from afar
    Read Review

  11. 7.0 |   NME

    A little hardier than previous material
    Read Review

  12. 7.0 |   The Fly

    A lovelier record you’ll struggle to hear this year
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  13. 7.0 |   BBC

    This is a vivid selection of songs underscored by a bittersweet poetry
    Read Review

  14. 6.0 |   The Guardian

    Her new direction is colourful, with electric guitar brazen against pedal steel and slide, retro keyb oards shimmering next to bluegrass-hued banjo and accordion
    Read Review

  15. 6.0 |   Mojo

    Print edition only

  16. 6.0 |   The Observer

    There's nothing world-class here, but you could easily listen to Alela Diane telling you "the wood of the olive is too sacred to burn" ("Elijah") all day
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  17. 6.0 |   Uncut

    Print edition only

  18. 6.0 |   musicOMH

    Finds Diane attempting new approaches to production and arrangement and should perhaps be seen as a transitional album
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  19. 6.0 |   Eye Weekly

    She’s got the divine part down pat; she could just use a little nudge into the wild
    Read Review

  20. 4.0 |   The Irish Times

    On some songs (ie, Desire ) you’ll wonder if someone slipped you a Sheryl Crow CD by mistake
    Read Review

  21. 3.5 |   Bowlegs

    This album is unlikely to offend. In fact, it will settle quite nicely into the background. As for essential Alela Diane, this comes nowhere near
    Read Review

  22. Back to main chart

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Alela Diane: Alela Diane & Wild Divine

  • Download full album for just £8.49
  • 1. To Begin £0.89
  • 2. Elijah £0.89
  • 3. Long Way Down £0.89
  • 4. Suzanne £0.89
  • 5. The Wind £0.89
  • 6. Of Many Colors £0.89
  • 7. Desire £0.89
  • 8. Heartless Highway £0.89
  • 9. White Horse £0.89
  • 10. Rising Greatness £0.89
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