What makes This Is My Dinner by Sun Kil Moon notable?

The album received generally favorable reviews, with critics praising its introspective nature and unique approach to storytelling. It contributed to Kozelek's ongoing legacy as a significant figure in alternative rock, influencing subsequent artists seeking to blend narrative depth with musical experimentation. This Is My Dinner is Sun Kil Moon's follow-up to 2017's Common As Light and Love Are Red Valleys of Blood. By this point in his career, Mark Kozelek had solidified his reputation for deeply personal songwriting and experimental structures. This album continues his trend of lengthy tracks that blend spoken word with musical elements, further exploring themes of everyday life.

Who is This Is My Dinner for?

This Is My Dinner works well if you're into intimate late-night reflections, patient storytelling with depth and melancholic mood for solitude.

How many songs are on This Is My Dinner?

This Is My Dinner has 10 tracks, running approximately 89 minutes.

This Is My Dinner

Sun Kil Moon · 2018

89 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock

Sparse instrumentation and contemplative lyrics create an intimate atmosphere, blending melancholy storytelling with understated melodies.

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Top tracks — play these first

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This Is My Dinner — The title track encapsulates the album's reflective tone, weaving together mundane observations with poignant insights into life and relationships.
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Linda Blair — This track stands out for its vivid imagery and emotional resonance, as it reflects on fame and personal connection through a lens of nostalgia.
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Come On Get Happy — In stark contrast to the album's overall mood, this brief track offers a moment of levity, showcasing Kozelek's ability to juxtapose humor with serious themes.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

52 /100

Foothills

Higher than 38% of albums we've rated

The album's sparse instrumentation and lengthy narratives create a unique but uneven listening experience.

What we noticed

The album features long, spoken-word verses that often meander, with minimal musical backing, creating a conversational tone.
Several tracks utilize repetitive melodic phrases that gradually evolve, emphasizing the introspective lyrics.
The pacing is deliberately slow, with most songs exceeding five minutes, allowing for extended reflection on the themes presented.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

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

intimate late-night reflections
patient storytelling with depth
melancholic mood for solitude
sparse instrumentation enhances focus

Maybe skip if you

seeking upbeat party vibes
prefer quick, catchy tunes

Where this album fits

Career context: This Is My Dinner is Sun Kil Moon's follow-up to 2017's Common As Light and Love Are Red Valleys of Blood. By this point in his career, Mark Kozelek had solidified his reputation for deeply personal songwriting and experimental structures. This album continues his trend of lengthy tracks that blend spoken word with musical elements, further exploring themes of everyday life.
Stylistic neighbors: Mark Kozelek· Red House Painters· Sufjan Stevens