Nick Drake – Bryter Layter

Like Five Leaves Left, the album contains no unaccompanied songs: Drake was accompanied by part of the British folk rock group Fairport Convention and John Cale from The Velvet Underground, as well as Beach Boys musicians Mike Kowalski and Ed Carter. Arranger Robert Kirby claims that Drake intended the instrumentals to evoke Pet Sounds. Initially scheduled for release in November 1970, with UK promotional copies being sent out at the time, dissatisfaction with the artwork meant that the album was held over into the New Year.

Mojo called the album "Certainly the most polished of his catalogue". Alternative Press called it "[one] of the most beautiful and melancholy albums ever recorded".

David Hepworth described "At the Chime of a City Clock" as "the perfect soundtrack for the dispensing of a cup of tea in a polysytrene cup, marrying sound and image in a way that made me unsure whether I was watching a commercial or actually in a commercial."

Andrew Means of the Melody Maker wrote on 13 March 1971 that "This is a difficult album to come to any firm conclusion on. For one thing the reaction it produced depends very much on the mood of the listener. It's late-night coffee'n'chat music. Them tracks are all very similar - quiet, gentle and relaxing. Nick Drake sends his voice skimming smoothly over the backing."

From Wikipedia

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