Archangel Hill
Shirley Collins · 2023
37 min · 13 tracks · traditional folk music
A tapestry of traditional folk tales interwoven with haunting vocals and delicate instrumentation, steeped in the essence of English folklore.
Top tracks — play these first
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Fare Thee Well My Dearest Dear — This opening track encapsulates the album's emotional weight with its poignant storytelling and Collins' evocative vocal delivery, setting a thematic tone for the collection.
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The Captain with the Whiskers — This song stands out for its playful narrative style and charming melody, illustrating Collins' ability to blend humor with folklore in an engaging manner.
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Hares on the Mountain — With its ethereal arrangement and rich imagery, this track highlights Collins' mastery of folk tradition while transporting listeners into the heart of English countryside lore.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album revitalizes traditional folk through strong melodies and storytelling, establishing a cohesive listening experience.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of traditional folk melodies, with each track drawing from English folklore and storytelling.
- Collins' vocals are layered with minimal instrumentation, often featuring acoustic guitar and subtle string arrangements that enhance the haunting quality of the songs.
- Several tracks employ a call-and-response structure, creating an interactive feel that invites listener engagement.
- The pacing varies slightly, with some tracks maintaining a steady tempo while others slow down to emphasize lyrical content.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- evocative storytelling in every track
- haunting melodies for reflective moments
- nostalgic warmth on rainy days
- short bursts of captivating narratives
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, high-energy music
- seek lengthy, complex compositions
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on May 26, 2023, 'Archangel Hill' marks Shirley Collins' first album in nearly four decades, following her last studio effort, 'No Roses,' in 1971. This return re-establishes Collins as a vital voice in the contemporary folk scene, reflecting her deep-rooted connection to the genre and its traditions.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Anne Briggs· Bert Jansch· Nick Drake
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Fare Thee Well My Dearest Dear 3:16
- 2 Lost in a Wood 3:00
- 3 The Captain with the Whiskers 2:46
- 4 June Apple 1:52
- 5 The Golden Glove 3:11
- 6 High and Away 3:55
- 7 Oakham Poachers 2:19
- 8 Hares on the Mountain 3:08
- 9 Hand and Heart 2:47
- 10 The Bonny Labouring Boy 3:21
- 11 Swaggering Boney 1:42
- 12 How Far is it to Bethlehem? 2:06
- 13 Archangel Hill 4:33
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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