Chapter 661: Sincere Dedication

"Q Magazine," 100%: "Pure and simple melodies, sincere and profound lyrics, moving and graceful interpretation. Renly Hall has reawakened a deep dedication to music, reminding listeners of the era of Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash. Without a doubt, this is one of the best albums of the 21st century."

"The Observer," 100%: "Excellent. 'Don Quixote' is undeniably brilliant. Wander through its melodies, and you'll fall in love with music all over again."

"BBC Music," 100%: "Hall imbues music with the simplest and most fiery emotions—the sadness, joy, bitterness, and happiness of the soul. At times, it feels like the music is too simple to carry the weight of Hall's voice, but more often, deep and complex emotions are beautifully interwoven in these musical symbols, which are deeply moving."

"The Telegraph," 100%: "It's hard to believe Hall is just 21 years old. Many artists, even at 31 or 51, remain lost in their own worlds, unable to find their way. Yet, at just 21, Hall has demonstrated an enviable and exciting talent. Don't forget, there's another singer just 22 this year—Adele."

"The Independent," 100%: "'Don Quixote' is fiery, rebellious, rough, raw, and intensely proud. Thunderous protests echo through this album, just like Don Quixote himself."

"Filter," 100%: "It's rare to find an album so warm, simple, beautiful, intense, pure, and moving. Behind the mask of 'Don Quixote,' what kind of soul's journey lies hidden? So clear, transparent, and simple."

Praise, praise, and more praise! The critical acclaim for 'Don Quixote' is stronger, wilder, and more passionate than the previous album, 'Love Crazy.' It's as though a tidal wave of admiration continues to surge, and the reviewers are left unable to express all their emotions. Yet, '100%' is a simple, clear, and candid reflection of the critics' true thoughts. The album has received full marks, with no flaws, achieving a perfect reputation.

But despite the overwhelming positive reviews, why has "Don Quixote" remained relatively unknown? The answer lies in the fact that all the reviews are from British professional music magazines. While these magazines are accessible globally via the internet, they are still niche in their reach, particularly in the highly commercialized U.S. music market.

In the age of internet globalization, even British magazines can be read worldwide, but does anyone want to read them? Amidst the global decline of the music market, the U.S. market has become increasingly commercialized, with pop, hip-hop, and dance music dominating, catering to the fast-food mentality. However, the British music scene continues to uphold a more diverse and artistic standard, embracing genres like folk, rock, soul, jazz, blues, and reggae, alongside the more commercial genres.

For example, Ed Sheeran's "Top" single was a hit in the UK, peaking at No. 3, but it only gained traction in the U.S. after six months, peaking at No. 16. This illustrates a stark contrast between the two markets.

When "Don Quixote" was released, it garnered rave reviews in the UK but barely made a ripple in the U.S. market. This bipolar reception is real. However, the U.S. market is not entirely indifferent. As Jay mentioned on "The Tonight Show," the indie music magazine Mixer took note of "Don Quixote."

Despite the album's lack of promotional backing, Mixer's Clyde Coughlin praised the album after listening to it two weeks post-release. He described it as a challenging double album, but one that captured Renly Hall's soul as an artist. Coughlin lauded the album's exploration of life's contradictions, the pursuit of dreams, and the emotional depth of the journey.

Coughlin did not hesitate to give "Don Quixote" a perfect score, calling it the best album of 2011 and one of the best of the 21st century. He even placed it above Norah Jones' "Go Away" in his personal rankings.

The release of Adele's "21" in January 2011 quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Its singles, including "Rolling in the Deep" and "Set Fire to the Rain," dominated the charts, and the album went on to sell over 4 million copies in North America, making it the hottest album of 2011.

In comparison, Mixer's glowing review of "Don Quixote" and its comparison to Adele's album drew ire from many fans, who criticized the comparison and flooded Spotify's comment section with vitriol.

Yet, professional critics saw the comparison as valid. "Don Quixote" has earned a perfect score from multiple critics, while "21" received a comprehensive score of 76, based on reviews from 34 media outlets in both the UK and the U.S.

"Don Quixote" sacrifices commercial appeal in favor of artistic integrity, delivering a deeper, more sincere emotional journey than Adele's commercially successful album. While "21" has undoubtedly dominated the charts, "Don Quixote" stands as a true work of art.

It's a pattern we see in all art forms: the tension between mainstream commercial success and artistic expression. After the acclaim from The Tonight Show, "Don Quixote" was thrust into the spotlight, with Renly Hall's identity as a singer being questioned and examined by the public. Could this attention spark a surge in album sales?

Although it remains uncertain whether the album will experience a significant sales boost, the increased media attention has already had an impact. In just 72 hours, the number of professional reviews skyrocketed from seven to twenty-nine, marking a significant shift in the album's reception.