David Thomas Broughton “The Complete Guide to Insufficiency” (Album Review)

Genres: Singer-Songwriter, Avant-Folk American Primitivism

        David Thomas Broughton’s debut album, The Complete Guide to Insufficiency, is an atmospheric and beautifully haunting musical gem. This album absolutely cannot be talked about without mentioning its unique recording process, being done in one take at the Wrangthorn Church Hall in Leeds. The result is the addition of almost palpable texture to the atmosphere of the record. 

        Due to the live sound of the album, some may describe it as “raw”, but I think “natural” is a much more fitting term. The church environment mixed with Broughton’s mesmerizing guitar playing evokes an array of emotions. Overall, I see The Complete Guide to Insufficiency as a showcase of freedom and a proclamation of struggle. The cryptic nature of the album’s lyrics also creates a layer of ambiguity through  the instrumentation, greatly adding to the general sense of mystery.

        The Complete Guide to Insufficiency has such an interesting presentation, but Broughton mostly stops his music here. Too much attention is directed towards the packaging of the album, rather than the actual content itself. This is not to say that the album is sonically weak, however the intrigue of Broughton’s enigmatic music wanes after the drawn-out guitar riffs. 

Favorite Tracks: Ambiguity, Ever Rotating Sky, Unmarked Grave

Least Favorites: n/a

Emotionally: High 6

Critically: High 6

Arbitrary Number: 6.9/10