Bryter Layter - Nick Drake

Nick Drake's second album is in many ways best described by the sleeve art of its digitally remastered issue, which combines that which appeared on the original 1970 release and new photography (or rather old photography, but selected with the hindsight of today). The original artwork presents Drake seated with his guitar, looking uncomfortably at the camera. He has a pair of funky shoes but curiously he has taken them off for the portrait, as though he loves their gaiety but can't quite decide if they suit him - or perhaps they are not even his, just a prop handed to him by the photographer, and that frown upon his face is one of defiance, a ...  Read the complete review

If a review of Nick Drake had been written say ten years ago most people’s reaction would have been Nick who? Today his albums are selling better than they ever did when they were first released and his reputation as one of England’s best singer songwriter is growing by the minute. Unfortunately for us and for Nick Drake, this deserved success came too late for him, Drake died tragically young in 1974 after taking an overdose, he had been suffering from manic depression for some time and possibly the perceived commercial failure of all his music releases worsened his state of mind. Bryter Layter is Drake’s second and best known album, it build’s ...  Read the complete review

Nick Drake's second album followed in the comet trail left by his wondrous debut 'Five Leaves Left'. Released in 1970 it shows little sign of ageing and despite being name dropped by all and sundry it largely remains an undiscovered classic. For students of the Belle & Sebastian school of melodic folk there is a seam of material awaiting you from this sadly underachieving (in his lifetime anyway) soul. With Drake's extraordinary predication for not telling things as they are the opening cut is dutifully named 'Introduction'. And what a majestic beginning it is too. The orchestration is as pretty as is imaginable being ably ...  Read the complete review

I don't know if there is a way of starting a review about Nick drake. His songs are so touching that to me no words can describe them. Since I've got no other expressive means I'll give words a try this once.... The life of Nick Drake is such a tragic story of a young man that had so much to give to the poetic and musical realms of the modern world. He had such an amazing way of writing how he felt with such provocative lyrics and sensually warm melodies. I have listened to Bryter Later more times than I can remember. It is his most successful album and his most popular contribution to mainstream music if you can bear to slot it into such a ...  Read the complete review

Thankfully, by the time of this second album the arrangements have become a lot more subtle and clever and never interfere with the songs themselves. Less songs have strings on them, which is probably a good thing. Instead a brass section often pops up, as well as piano backing and, for one song, backing vocals. This album, musically and lyrically, actually has a much more upbeat feel to it than Drake's debut and, of course, his last album so it seems like a bit of anomaly. I actually bought this album first and originally thought it was his debut. Thus, I originally believed you could chart Nick's decline to his tragic fate. But as it works out in ...  Read the complete review