Brian D'Addario Till the Morning
Brian D'Addario's Till the Morning unfolds as a nostalgia-soaked, baroque-tinged solo statement that critics find largely rewarding. Across three professional reviews the record earned a 79.33/100 consensus score, and reviewers repeatedly point to the title cut “Till the Morning” and the raucous “Nothing On My Mind” as standout moments, with strong support for “Company” and “Useless Tears” as among the best songs on the album.
Critics consistently praise D'Addario's command of 1960s influences and his knack for marrying baroque-pop ornamentation with country-tinged songwriting. Record Collector highlights the album's "country baroque" bent and the melodic flair of “Nothing On My Mind” and “Till the Morning”, while Clash Music emphasizes intimate, nostalgia-soaked ditties and fruitful collaborations like “Song of Everyone” and “What You Are Is Beautiful”. Paste Magazine applauds the orchestral piano and Moog textures on “Company” and the melodramatic strings on “Useless Tears”, but cautions that affectionate pastiche sometimes trades novelty for familiarity.
That balance between homage and invention forms the record's central tension: reviewers agree the collection offers gorgeous moments and warm craftsmanship, yet some critics note a tendency toward lyrical antiquation and safe sonic choices. Given the 79.33 consensus across three professional reviews, the critical consensus suggests Till the Morning is worth listening to for fans of baroque-country fusion, classic pop pastiche and carefully arranged, collaborative songwriting. The detailed reviews below unpack where the album shines and where it holds back within D'Addario's solo catalogue.
Critics' Top Tracks
The standout songs that made critics take notice
Nothing On My Mind
2 mentions
"‘Nothing On My Mind’... welcomes a more explosive pace. A total delight on the ears"— Clash Music
Till the Morning
3 mentions
"The self-titled track finds the project opening in familiar territory"— Clash Music
One Day I'm Coming Home
1 mention
"the slide guitars on ‘One Day I’m Coming’ and ‘This Summer’"— Clash Music
‘Nothing On My Mind’... welcomes a more explosive pace. A total delight on the ears
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
Till the Morning
Song of Everyone
Nothing On My Mind
One Day I’m Coming Home
Only To Ease My Mind
Flash in the Pan
Company
This Summer
What You Are Is Beautiful
Useless Tears
Spirit Without a Home
What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 5 critics who reviewed this album
Re
Critic's Take
Brian D'Addario returns with Till the Morning, a record where the best songs - notably “Till the Morning” and “Nothing On My Mind” - showcase his "country baroque" bent and melodic flair. The review revels in the rollicking energy of “Nothing On My Mind” and the Cali-cowboy charm of the title-track, while flagging lush harmonies on “Only To Ease My Mind” and the buoyant power-pop of “This Summer”. Overall the standout tracks are those that balance baroque ornament and direct songwriting, making them the best tracks on Till the Morning for listeners seeking craft and warmth.
Key Points
-
The title-track is best for encapsulating the album's country-baroque identity and melodic command.
-
The album's core strengths are melodic flair, stylistic range, and emotional directness.
Themes
Critic's Take
Clare Martin hears the best songs on Till the Morning as rooted in affectionate pastiche rather than sonic risk, singling out “Company” and “Useless Tears” as the album's high points. In her clipped, slightly sardonic voice she praises “Company” for its piano opening that gives way to strangely orchestral guitars and buzzing Moog, and she frames “Useless Tears” as melodramatic and timely, strings strutting under Brian's voice. The review locates charm in collaborations like Stephen Kalinich's “What You Are Is Beautiful” and the lo-fi “Song of Everyone,” but Martin warns that affection for the past sometimes yields only familiarity, not novelty.
Key Points
-
“Company” is the best song due to its surprising shift from simple piano and voice to buzzing orchestral guitar and Moog.
-
The album's core strength is careful, affectionate 1960s-style popcraft, though it often prioritizes nostalgia over novelty.
Themes
mu
Critic's Take
Matthew Mclister hears the best songs on Till the Morning as intimate, nostalgia-soaked ditties that revive ’60s pop without feeling like pastiche. Brian D'Addario leans into collaboration - the album’s highlights, “Song of Everyone” and “What You Are Is Beautiful”, shimmer with Springtime prettiness and earnest falsetto. The title track “Till the Morning” opens things in familiar, comforting territory, while “Nothing On My Mind” provides an emotionally explosive contrast. Overall the record is pleasant, gorgeous and outstanding in the way it channels classic songwriting into a successful solo jaunt.
Key Points
-
The best song is notable for its pretty guitar, pristine vocals and Springtime vibes, making it the record’s standout.
-
The album’s core strengths are its nostalgic ’60s influences, baroque-pop arrangements and strong collaborative lyricism.