Straight Songs of Sorrow
by Mark Lanegan
  • Record Label: Heavenly
  • Release Date: May 8, 2020
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
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  1. PopMatters
    May 5, 2020
    60
    The quality of the songwriting varies widely, despite the more or less consistent theme of death.
  2. The Quietus
    May 19, 2020
    50
    Despite its best intentions, Straight Songs Of Sorrow is an album that would’ve worked considerably better as a well-pruned EP. As it stands, there’s too much intent and not enough delivery to maintain attention throughout its sprawling running time.

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User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. GuitarPen
    May 10, 2020
    9
    Mark Lanegan comes right out and says it, so don't say you weren't warned. These are Straight Songs of Sorrow. The deep lyrics riding uponMark Lanegan comes right out and says it, so don't say you weren't warned. These are Straight Songs of Sorrow. The deep lyrics riding upon guttural resonance evokes a cathartic empathy for the state of the world and the people inhabiting it which is nothing short of beautiful. It may not be the artist's desired effect, but after I put my headphones down, I feel a whole lot better about my own personal lot in life and the future of humankind. I suppose in this respect one could call this a blues album, but the blood mixed in makes it more purple.

    Founder of grunge pioneers and extremely underrated Screaming Trees, Lanagan rides the tailwind of his recent soul-bearing memoir, Sing Backwards and Weep. His book details the youthful search for "decadence, depravity, anything, everything." In it, Lanagan reveals the guilt he feels to this day about the death of his friend, Kurt Cobain. The vocals are reminiscent of classic blues singers yet bent with a blend of dark Iggy Pop mixed with Leonard Cohen, and infused with a twist of Nick Cave.

    The distressed sonic texture strikes a chord from which the lyrics jump off and strike a nerve with tales of heartache and sorrow and warning signs of the hard road ahead. The album begins with Lanegan warning listeners not to take his advice. "Suddenly, everything I ever had is on ice. All those who tried to help me scattered like mice. No, I wouldn't want to say."

    "Bleed All Over," the song with the most velocity in the collection, still reverberates with a vengeful sorry. "Don't you say it's over… I never wanted to… I'm a bleed all over." On "Skeleton Key," Lannegan laments, "I'm ugly inside and out… Love me, why would you ever love me? No one has ever loved me yet, pretty baby."

    On Straight Songs of Sorrow, slow and soulful guitar travels on a gravel road of heavy bass and subdued drums. In the driver's seat, Lanegan couldn't care less what his passengers think. Unburdened by obligation and pretension, the artist is free to express his true self and travel wherever he wants. That is precisely what Lanegan has done, and we're all the wiser for coming along for the ride.    … Full Review »
  2. Lajaleaa
    Jun 24, 2020
    6
    ( 66/100 )

    Mark Lanegan está lejos de ser recordado por su música. Aún después de 30 años en la industria, parece que sigue produciendo    ( 66/100 )

    Mark Lanegan está lejos de ser recordado por su música. Aún después de 30 años en la industria, parece que sigue produciendo solo por antigüedad y no quiere retirarse. Probablemente es diferente, pero lo que no puedo negar es que sus últimos proyectos hablan mucho pero no dicen nada. Producido junto a Alain Johannes, este álbum simplemente desaparecerá tan rápido como apareció. Aunque la temática está relacionada con la suavidad y oscuridad de su tristeza personal, el álbum realmente es lento, aburrido y pesado de escuchar. Los coros y el ritmo de las cuerdas no se ayudan, pues este Rock ignora la necesidad de la intensidad o sensibilidad en sí mismo y simplemente compone un sonido de fondo para decorar la voz de Lanegan. Sus letras podrán ser poéticas, pero su recital es eternamente frustrante por la falta de alma, creatividad, energía y emoción.
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    Mark Lanegan is far from being remembered by his music. After 30 years in the industry, he seems to be producing just for antiquity and denied to retire. It's probably not like that, but I can't deny that his latest projects talk a lot and say nothing. Produced with Alain Johannes, this album will simply disappear as fast as it appeared. Even if the thematic is related to the softness and darkness of his personal sorrow, the album actually is slow, boring, and heavy to hear. The choirs and the rhythm of the cords don't help the project since this Rock ignores the necessity of intensity or sensibility in itself and simply compose a background sound to decore Lanegan's voice. His lyrics might be poetic, but his recital is eternally frustrating by the lack of soul, creativity, energy, and emotion.    … Full Review »
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