Down Colorful Hill
by Red House Painters

From HoldenM 08/01/2025 15:42 | #310374

I've always sorta struggled with this one, but this time, it really hit. While this will probably never be my favorite RHP record, there's a ton here that I love, like the delicate, spacious songwriting that leaves plenty of room for the wealth of melancholy and longing in Mark Kozelek's lyrics. It's brutal and bruising and beautiful.

From SomethingSpecial 06/29/2025 12:09 | #309768

Red House Painters were lightning in a bottle from day one, and their debut record is a testament to Kozelek's early genius. Although Kozelek himself dislikes the album's reverb and echo-heavy mix, it is what drew me to this strange, marvellous, enchanting LP, especially the song Medicine Bottle, which is an almost 10 minute opus and one of their best tracks.

This is quite amazing album, very slow but displaying such raw and relatable emotions with outstanding songwriting that it's almost impossible to not like this.

From Jboy56 04/21/2022 07:51 | #284454

Beautiful and moody. SOme songs are a a bit too long.

It's hard to reconcile what an asshole Mark Kozelek is with how beautiful this album is. Because with The Smiths I can believe that the emotion is to a a certain point faked, but not here, this sensitivity can't be more real. People are complex I guess.

This album creates a great atmosphere and really engulfs you in the feelings of the artist. It is difficult to not feel melancholy when listening to this record which is due to the brilliant atmosphere created and the lyrics too. Both of these are very strong and really carry the album for me. I am also very fond of the vocal performance. 24 and Medicine Bottle are possibly two of the best RHP songs ever released and they draw me back to this album time and time again. While the other 4 songs aren't up to this standard there is still a few more decent songs such as Japanese To English. This record can feel a little slow at times though and once you are passed the brilliant first half you can get sucked out of the album a couple of times. Overall, a very emotional album that is also thoroughly enjoyable to listen too.

From luigybetis 05/20/2018 14:22 | #215284 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

Beautiful album, it gets some listens to get used to it though. 8/10.

Nothing beats listening to this album snugly in a cozy bedroom as waves of melancholy and the deepest sense of disappointment wash over your reclusive husk

The self-titled is touching

Absolutely beautiful! 24 and Medicine Bottle are simply perfect, definitely an underrated masterpiece!!!