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CRITIC REVIEWS
85
From the wildly psychedelic, Robert Beatty-adorned cover art to Tyler’s steadfast pastoral themes of modern Americana, Goes West resonates as a true testament of timelessness standing as a collection of songs not only personal and rich but irrefutably Tyler’s best to date.
80
He can make nearly an hour of solo guitar material compelling and immersive (as proven on 2013's Impossible Dream), and Goes West shows Tyler at his relaxed but immersive best.
80
In essence, Tyler builds on his already sterling reputation as a player and composer, while further establishing himself as a bandleader, on this breezy but neatly sewn collection.
80
He may have upped sticks and gone west as the title suggests, but that distance has imbued his interpretations of home with poignancy, clear appreciation, and newfound depth.
80
These are 10 skilful and meditative instrumental acoustic guitar renderings that bear the weight of Americana – of contemporary America – lightly, but consciously.
80
10 individually kinetic pieces in a holding pattern of meditative calm.
78
The solo guitarist’s fourth album is soft and subtle, approaching the strains of pop while still basking in the solitude of Americana.
75
Tyler's songs paint landscapes of winding dirt roads, glowing streams, and wooded backcountry; Goes West is unabashed American music.
70
These songs without words contain melodies that convey messages on emotive and spiritual levels. Tyler uses his fingers to express what he is thinking and feeling without the use of language. He largely succeeds at taking the listener as a co-captain with him on his voyage.
70
Even without vocals, Tyler’s songs harmonize with deceptively unassuming, emotional playing that’s as reflective, meditative and personal as some of the finest singers.
70
If Tyler presented himself as a landscape painter on his previous albums, he takes on the role of miniaturist here. And it suits him well: Goes West summons all the majesty and loneliness of his other work, but condenses it into his tightest, punchiest, and most palatable set of songs yet.
70
Train car-hopping, couch-sleeping hitchhiking songs are his core vernacular, and that goes doubly so for the uneasy jaunt of Goes West.
70
Though evocative as they may be, those who are familiar with his discography can occasionally feel an unexplainable sense of deja vu. It’s a blessing and a curse for guitarists who write instrumental records, after all.
60
If you like instrumental guitar music, William Tyler‘s latest recording, William Tyler Goes West should satisfy your appetite, and does exactly what it says on the tin.
[Genre: American Primitivism]
So American Primitivism from what I can gather... is someone playing a guitar and nothing else. I mean I'll give it to them, the guitar playing is nice. The album is all around really enjoyable. It's nothing I'll come back to, but I'm glad I had the experience.
favourite tracks: Alpine Star, Our Lady Of The Desert, Rebecca, Venus In Aquarius, Man In A Hurry
least favourite: don't really know tbh, it mostly sounded the same
Summary: I liked that wow
What in the ... read more
I'm struggling to think of another artist quite as consistent as Tyler operating in 2019 :/
How this latest album ranks compared to his other releases will require many more attentive listens, but what's certain is this latest release is up to his usual high standards.
Instrumental excellence packing that trademark winning atmosphere.
On his latest effort, instrumentalist William Tyler does just what the title of the album suggest, he Goes West. Inviting you to join him as he strums, picks, and loops his way through a psychedelic journey of the music styles that have inspired western music for the last century and a half.
[Genre: American Primitivism]
So American Primitivism from what I can gather... is someone playing a guitar and nothing else. I mean I'll give it to them, the guitar playing is nice. The album is all around really enjoyable. It's nothing I'll come back to, but I'm glad I had the experience.
favourite tracks: Alpine Star, Our Lady Of The Desert, Rebecca, Venus In Aquarius, Man In A Hurry
least favourite: don't really know tbh, it mostly sounded the same
Summary: I liked that wow
What in the ... read more
With Goes West, William Tyler continues to follow the path of American primitivism...and despite just a little bit of variety, this is very pleasing. Tyler builds up the vastness of the American hinterland in his own living room, while the listener can quietly close his eyes with a light smile on his face and listen to the ten tracks. One of the most beautiful and at the same time most modest albums of the year.
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Track List
- Alpine Star
- Fail Safe
- Not in Our Stars
- Call Me When I'm Breathing Again
- Eventual Surrender
- Rebecca
- Venus in Aquarius
- Virginia Is for Loners
- Man in a Hurry
- Our Lady of the Desert
Year End Lists
| #3 | / | Thrillist |
| #38 | / | Loud and Quiet |
| #68 | / | Drift |
| / | AllMusic |
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Added on: November 5, 2018