Giles Corey - Giles Corey (2011)

Giles Corey: A Dark and Intense Album of Depression and Suicide

Giles Corey is a musical project by Dan Barrett, who is also a member of the experimental rock band Have a Nice Life. In 2011, he released his self-titled debut album under the Giles Corey name, which was accompanied by a book of the same title. The album and the book are both deeply personal and intimate portraits of Barrett's struggle with depression and suicidal thoughts, as well as his fascination with a fictional cult leader named Robert Voor.

The album consists of nine tracks that blend folk, noise, ambient and slowcore elements, creating a haunting and atmospheric sound that reflects Barrett's inner turmoil. The lyrics are bleak and hopeless, often dealing with themes such as loneliness, despair, death and the afterlife. Some of the songs are based on real events from Barrett's life, such as \"I'm Going to Do It\", which recounts his attempt to hang himself, and \"No One Is Ever Going to Want Me\", which expresses his feelings of worthlessness and rejection.

The book is a collection of stories, essays and poems that expand on the concepts and themes of the album. It also introduces the character of Robert Voor, a paranormal philosopher who founded a cult based on his belief in a hidden realm of spirits and demons. The book explores Voor's teachings and rituals, as well as his influence on Barrett and other followers. The book also contains instructions for performing some of the rituals, such as using a device called \"The Blackest Bile\" to induce trance states and out-of-body experiences.

Giles Corey is an album that challenges and confronts the listener with its raw and honest depiction of mental illness and suicide. It is not an easy or comfortable listen, but it is a powerful and cathartic one for those who can relate to Barrett's experiences. It is also an artistic expression of Barrett's creativity and vision, as he combines different genres and mediums to create a unique and immersive work of art.

The album has received critical acclaim from various sources, who praised its emotional depth, musical diversity and artistic ambition. Beats Per Minute gave it a score of 87 out of 100, calling it \\\"a stunning achievement\\\" and \\\"one of the most powerful albums of the year\\\". [^1^] Sputnikmusic rated it 4 out of 5, describing it as \\\"a harrowing journey through the darkest corners of the human psyche\\\" and \\\"a masterpiece of slowcore\\\". [^2^] The Needle Drop also gave it a positive review, highlighting its \\\"beautiful and haunting melodies\\\" and \\\"intriguing and disturbing concept\\\". [^3^] The album also has a high user rating on websites such as Rate Your Music and Album of The Year, where it is ranked among the best albums of 2011 and of all time.

Giles Corey is not only a musical project, but also a live performance that involves Barrett wearing a black hood and playing along with backing tracks. The hood is supposed to represent \\\"The Blackest Bile\\\", a device that Voor used to communicate with the spirit world. Barrett has said that he tries to recreate the trance states that he experienced while making the album, and that he hopes to induce similar states in the audience. He has also said that he plans to make more Giles Corey albums in the future, as well as a film adaptation of the book.

Giles Corey is an album that will not leave anyone indifferent. It is a challenging and rewarding listen that explores some of the most difficult and profound questions of human existence. It is also a testament to Barrett's courage and creativity, as he shares his personal struggles and visions with the world. Giles Corey is an album that deserves to be heard by anyone who appreciates music as an art form and a means of expression.

[^1^]: https://beatsperminute.com/reviews/album-review-giles-corey-giles-corey/

[^2^]: https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/43372/Giles-Corey-Giles-Corey/

[^3^]: https://www.youtube.com/watchv=0Y7X8gZfQn0

: https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/giles-corey/giles-corey/

: https://www.albumoftheyear.org/album/33245-giles-corey-giles-corey.php

: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giles_Corey_(band) a474f39169