Nick Drake: I was lucky enough that at age 17 somebody lent me Bryter Layter, and I became an immediate, long-term fan. That's how it went with my friends too: most of them loved the album, so, by word of mouth, "underground", his popularity kept spreading in a small, intimate way as befits the music. He just didn't register in the world of singles, live shows or radio plays; he was a secret to be shared with friends.
@Guybrush: yes, you're right. I can definitely say that after 50 years of listening, I've begun to notice that many of his songs are too slight: short, predictable song structures and too many obvious rhymes of the sun/done variety.
@Eleanor: most of my pals thought "One of these things first" was actually the weakest track on BL, favouring instead "City Clock" and "Poor Boy"; perhaps that's a judgement that comes from repeated playing.
But total Congrats on your journal and choice of albums so far.
