I haven't listened to these albums in at least a few years and they're absolutely perfect for right now. Complements the Valerie June record really well, too!

I agree that he falls in that weird space of critically-acclaimed yet curiously overlooked... he seems to go in cycles where he becomes a buzz name, interest bubbles, then dissipates for a while.

I think my favorite part of these records is they really reflect what you bring to them. You can hear deep sadness in them if that's where you're led; you can hear something more calm, meditative; you can hear happiness and wonder, too. It's tempting to project his life onto the music but I think, in this case, there is something to be said for really listening with that suspended for a bit.

Bryter Later is probably the least successful of the three, imo, even though it has two or three of my absolute favorites from his catalog. Can't choose between Five Leaves Left and Pink Moon, at least not today...

And glad you're on to that Valerie June record. If you haven't listened to her single from December yet, you should: https://youtu.be/b5QJ_nb-lLQ --- it's amazing.

-thebigfunk

~ i could still snort you under the table ~