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Introducing Karl Blau
by
Introducing Karl Blau Image
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 7 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

  • Summary: The latest release from the Washington State singer-songwriter was recorded with producer Tucker Martine.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. The Line of Best Fit
    May 10, 2016
    85
    The most impressive thing about Introducing Karl Blau is how easily it could find itself slotted in the second-hand racks between Charlie Rich or Glen Campbell.
  2. Record Collector
    May 10, 2016
    80
    While producer Tucker Martine provides inspired, inventive backdrops, Blau’s powers of interpretation make these familiar songs (To Love Somebody, No Regrets etc), very much his own; an unexpected marvel.
  3. The 405
    May 10, 2016
    80
    It shimmers with an enchanting beauty that this writer at least has yet to find in any other song this year.
  4. Uncut
    May 10, 2016
    80
    The songs are rendered sincerely, with elegant, understated phrasing. [Jun 2016, p.69]
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  5. AllMusic
    May 19, 2016
    80
    Blau places himself completely in his producer's hands. He digs into these lyrics and charts for all he's worth, delivering a gem that is as timeless as its songs.
  6. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Jun 8, 2016
    80
    This record transcends genre and everybody knows it. Country music is haggard and calloused and hung up on itself, and Introducing Karl Blau is none of those things.
  7. Mojo
    May 24, 2016
    80
    [A] dark and glorious vision, reinterpreting Nashville country-soul hits from the '60s and '70s. [Jul 2016, p.97]
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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. mooradj0
    Jul 23, 2016
    10
    Beautiful renditions of classic soul-country tunes. His voice is rich, the music is dense, and thoroughly conceived. I love this album. MuchBeautiful renditions of classic soul-country tunes. His voice is rich, the music is dense, and thoroughly conceived. I love this album. Much more will come from Blau. Top 5 albums from this year, hands down.… Expand
  2. Bleat0124
    Jun 19, 2016
    7
    Incredible talent and skilled. Every track on here is far more interesting to listen to then most of the songs on country radio. Yet, althoughIncredible talent and skilled. Every track on here is far more interesting to listen to then most of the songs on country radio. Yet, although he handles the typical, may i say traditional country tunes with class (see sensual woman), he is at his best when he goes off the handle. And of course here i am walking about "falling rain."

    The thing that make this song and Karl blu so special is not only that this song is sonically rich, dreamlike, and just an absolute joy to listen to, and the song writing is so clean and detailed but more importantly it is so raw and searching. Although the song is 9 minutes you leave it feeling like he should have said more....in a great way. I think the less he tries to be a classic country singer and trust that the fans won't turn on him if he continues to float into this unique space that he is creating for himself, the better he'll be. Man this dude could be, is, really special    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

47
#47 Best Album of 2016

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