Album Review: Bonnie Prince Billy – I Made A Place

A new album of original material from Bonnie "Prince" Billy, aka William Oldham? Great, it's time to get the tissue box out and spend the week in bed to mull over all the horrible mistakes of your adult life. Psych! This one is actually marginally brighter than the rest of his catalogue. It's still introspective and sensitive, but it's certainly not the iceberg of sadness that something like I See A Darkness is. Is it as good? Nah, but even if you aren't already a fan of ol' Billy Bummer, I Made A Place is definitely worth the time of anyone who likes good folk and country music.

The record kicks things off with a tune that would feel right at home on The Band's legendary Brown Album. Oldham's songwriting is in fine shape, and, by the sound of his lyrics, so is he. Just like early Van Morrison stuff, there's a warm feeling of peace that floats around the record, as if Oldham has finally settled down in the country after making some great sense of it all. With some beautiful instrumentation, solid songwriting and funny, hopeful lyricism, I Made A Place is worth it just for the peace of mind that Will Oldham is doin' fine.