Is Gargoyle a good place to start with Mark Lanegan?

Yes, Gargoyle is recommended as a starting point for new Mark Lanegan listeners. Gargoyle blends haunting melodies with Mark Lanegan's gravelly vocals, creating a somber and introspective landscape throughout the album. By the time Gargoyle was released in April 2017, Mark Lanegan had established himself as a solo artist after his tenure with Screaming Trees and several collaborations. This album followed his 2012 release, Blues Funeral, showcasing a continued evolution of his sound into darker, more atmospheric territory. It also reflected Lanegan's growing reputation in the alternative rock scene as a compelling storyteller.

Gargoyle works well if you're into steady pacing for reflective moods, dark introspection on quiet evenings and melancholic melodies for solitude.

How many songs are on Gargoyle?

Gargoyle has 10 tracks, running approximately 41 minutes.

Gargoyle

Mark Lanegan · 2017

41 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock

Gargoyle blends haunting melodies with Mark Lanegan's gravelly vocals, creating a somber and introspective landscape throughout the album.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Death’s Head Tattoo Start here — Opening the album with a menacing yet melodic vibe, this track sets the tone for the exploration of mortality that permeates the record.
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Goodbye to Beauty — This poignant track encapsulates themes of loss and reflection, showcasing Lanegan's lyrical prowess and haunting vocal delivery.
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Drunk on Destruction — With its raw intensity and compelling lyrics, this song epitomizes Lanegan's ability to intertwine personal struggle with broader existential themes.
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Old Swan — Closing the album, this track weaves together melancholy instrumentation with evocative lyrics, leaving listeners with a sense of introspection and closure.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

Gargoyle features strong songwriting and cohesive production, creating an immersive listening experience.

What we noticed

The album opens with a slow, atmospheric track that sets a dark tone, followed by a series of mid-tempo songs that maintain this mood.
Lanegan's gravelly vocals are consistently layered over sparse instrumentation, often featuring haunting melodies and minimalistic arrangements.
Several tracks incorporate unexpected shifts in dynamics, such as 'Goodbye to Beauty,' which builds intensity before dropping back to a quieter conclusion.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 3/10

Known within its scene. 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

steady pacing for reflective moods
dark introspection on quiet evenings
melancholic melodies for solitude
haunting vocals in dim lighting

Maybe skip if you

seeking upbeat, high-energy tracks
prefer instant gratification music

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — The album is noted for its artistic depth and sonic experimentation, marking a significant return.
Career context: By the time Gargoyle was released in April 2017, Mark Lanegan had established himself as a solo artist after his tenure with Screaming Trees and several collaborations. This album followed his 2012 release, Blues Funeral, showcasing a continued evolution of his sound into darker, more atmospheric territory. It also reflected Lanegan's growing reputation in the alternative rock scene as a compelling storyteller.
Stylistic neighbors: Greg Dulli· Nick Cave· Jeff Buckley