I See a Darkness

I See a Darkness was the first full-length album released by Will Oldham as Bonnie "Prince" Billy, and it differs by degrees from his work as Palace Brothers and Palace Music. It still features his creaky, gnarled voice spitting forth aphorisms from a variety of narrators. The musicianship and production are improved, though not to the point of slickness. The melodies are more concise. "A Minor Place" is virtually hummable and upbeat. Of course, it wouldn't be a true Oldham experience if there weren't songs dabbling in the dark arts of dread and despair. "Nomadic Revelry (All Around)" pushes forth with a mountain music lope that casts an eerie spell. "I See a Darkness" (later covered by Johnny Cash) is a beautifully formed tale of a man battling depression, while "Black" further explores the weird and wicked poetry of the dispossessed. "Death to Everyone" takes that darkness and turns it into a first-person rant that revels in its evil. By the time the finish line is reached with the two-minute coda, "Raining in Darling," it's with bittersweet joy and relief.