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Lou Barlow is still the poet laureate of hiss and heartbreak, and although the hiss is missing on Goodnight Unknown, that's the only defining quality he's lost with the passage of time.
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This is simply a collection of well-crafted songs, honestly and simply arranged and delivered, and as such very much worth a listen.
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Goodnight Unknown is another understated treasure from the prince of the perpetually bruised heart.
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The songs on Goodnight Unknown are well crafted and it’s clear that Barlow still has quite a bit of passion for making music, but the spark of genuine creativity is not there.
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Goodnight Unknown feels comfortable and, to a point, casual, too, but it bears the kind of exploratory vigor that "Emoh" lacked.
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Emotional ambiguity never sounded so good. Business as usual then.
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Alternative PressAs it stands, Barlow has only evolved in his mastery of subtle acoustic guitar interplay and flirtations with pop. [Nov 2009, p.109]
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Barlow fans should be happy with the way Goodnight Unknown sounds, but they should also recognize that its songs aren’t as memorable as Barlow’s best.
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Longtime fans will be enchanted by such quips and the naked introspection offered by Goodnight Unknown, and while not at all challenging, casual listeners will enjoy it simply for its strong collection of pop songs.
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Goodnight Unknown is layered with subtle distortion and commanding percussion, combined with Barlow's confident, sometimes contemplative vocals.