Haunting
03/21/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It took me a couple of listens before I saw the light on this one. I must have had it half a year before being sucked in. At first it went in one ear and out the other, but not wanting to wear out my other TVZ records, I gave it a second chance.THE SNAKE SONG & THE SPIDER SONG immediately grabbed me with their weird, bluesiness. Both are stark and ominous, the kind of Van Zandt I've come to appreciate. Unlike most of the other tracks on this album, they have not been re-packaged on later releases. This is really the only place I know of to hear them.AT MY WINDOW, TWO GIRLS & NO PLACE TO FALL are certified Van Zandt classics and can be found on many of his other releases but I prefer the gentle acoustic stylings of these versions. Needless to say, there isn't a bad song on here. I'd say he's in peak form on this one. The writing and delivery is subtle and haunting thrhough and through.To quote AT MY WINDOW, this album "leaves gentle traces". It may not be his most popular album, but it certainly is one of his best.On a side note, fans of Will Oldham/Palace could do themselves a favor by picking this one up."
A Classic Album By A Timeless Townes
10/03/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I believe this recording captures some of Townes' absolute best songwriting. "At My Window", "Rex's Blues" and "Buckskin Stallion" define his genius and simplicity, as well as his beautiful acoustic guitar playing. Other songs display his deep sense of emotion and human relationships, as in "Loretta" and "Two Girls". There's quite a distinct sound here and it works. A young TVZ at his early best!"