I am gradually working my way through the extensive back catalogue of the unalloyed genius that is Will Oldham. I brought this album recently and I have to say I find it possibly his most enchanting. The younger Oldham's voice was more frail, more fragile than his more recent incarnations, but none the less appealing for that. I can't understand people who criticise the vocals on these early records. In my view, Oldham has a remarkable singing voice. No one on earth could cover his amazing songs better than he sings them himself. The remarkable Ohio River Boat Song opens this album. For all those who say Oldham is morose, please listen to this song, a sublimely uplifting and joyful ode to love. Although tinged with sadness in the last line, the collective choral singing makes the heart soar. Other gems on this album are Trudy Dies, Come In, West Palm Beach and Gulf Shores. However, the poetry of the lyrics (although perhaps lacking narrative, they are extraordinarily expressive, the guy is a genius at forging a resonant phrase that will bring tears to your eyes), the subtle but ingenious instrumental accompaniment in these songs, make the whole album a pure joy from start to finish. No serious music collector should be without it.

Palace Music is evidently the musical brainchild of a certain Will Oldham. This album is a collection of songs he performed with an ever-changing ensemble of friends and musicians. The songs lope along at a dutiful pace, like an old, reliable horse. Will's vocals are charmingly disheveled, yet honest and soulful. Songs of tragedy, love and lots of death adorn this dusty diamond, and as I listened they conjured images of pioneer trails, blue skies dotted with puffy, white clouds and apple trees, leaves blowing lazily in the dry, autumn air. Standout tracks include "Riding", "Little Blue Eyes" and the surprizingly focused "Gulf Shores". This is the kind of stuff I always want to hear at open-mics, but hardly ever get to. Palace Music are in no hurry, and that's a rare treat. For my money, this is about as good as Folk Music gets.

I picked up this album at a local record shop. I looked at the title on the front that said "Palace Music" and I saw the black box and I thought it looked interesting. This was at a point where I thought I'd had found all the great music I would ever like but sure enough... I looked at the titles of the songs, and it looked really good, so I picked it up. I played the whole thing in the car on the way home. I was so psyched to find out about these guys. They are one of those bands where you buy one album of theirs and you have to have ALL of them because they are so good. The lyrics are sweet, the guitar playing, everything. Don't even hesitate buying this.

That's a rhetorical question....Excellent earthy music, which brings out one's emotions. Very down to earth and heartful vocals contribute to the esoteric nature of this album. A friend gave me a copy, and I have since passed on the favor to my closest.

You will either love this CD or hate it. I was turned onto Palace a year or so ago. I still keep trying to turn my fiancee on to it. She still keep threatening to take an axe to the CD when I'm not home.

If you are tired of all that pre-processed stuff that keeps spewing out of your radio then give Will Oldham a try. His vocals aren't the greatest. (He makes Bob Dillon sound like Pavaratti) But his lyrics and the simplicity of his songwriting will tear your heart out. There are few CDs that you can pop in and listen to and they seem to define the whole world around you for the few moments they are playing. And Palace is so beautiful and raw that you won't be sick of them or their soul-wrenching honesty in a few months.

As a musician and a songwriter nothing is taboo for Will Oldham. He breaks all the rules and leaves you shaking your head wondering how he did it. This album is a good starter introduction to Palace. "Riding" and "West Palm Beach" are two really good songs. The first will leave you pounding your fist along on the dashboard in time--singing your heart out, the latter will leave you staring out the window at the snow, contemplating the bitter sweet beauty of memory and regret. Not that you'll know anything about Will Oldham when you finish listening to the CD. He goes to great pains to remove any tint of personal tie and/or historical time frame from his lyrics. Instead the window becomes clouded and you see your own reflection in it. The best songwriters do that. (Who really cares who Kim Deal or David Grohl is sleeping with this week?)

Buy this album. It won't change your life. But it might change the way you listen to and think about music.