The Greatest Showman #663 - Pry the Earth

From the comments of seven media outlets to the professional reviews of twenty-nine, Don Quixote, an album that was initially overlooked and unknown, suddenly gained immense attention after its appearance on The Tonight Show. While it may not yet be a household name, it's on the verge of becoming one.

Such a miraculous rise from obscurity, especially in the entertainment industry that thrives on constant reinvention, is rare, though not impossible. The problem is that not every 'ugly duckling' can transform into a swan. But Don Quixote did it—successfully.

With an average score of 92 points across twenty-nine professional reviews, Don Quixote has firmly established itself as one of the top ten most highly-rated albums of the millennium.

For comparison, Nora Jones' Flying Away (2002) was another indie album that went largely unnoticed at first. If it hadn't been for the Grammy Awards' discovery, it might have disappeared into obscurity. At that time, only sixteen media outlets gave it glowing reviews, with an average score of 88 points. Today, Don Quixote is considered either equal to or even better than Flying Away and is regarded as one of the best albums of the 21st century.

But it's not just the album that's catching attention—it's the name "Renly Hall" that's once again in the spotlight.

In an industry crowded with crossover artists, especially those who juggle singing and acting, the success of such dual talent is often questioned. Many people aspire to do it all—directing, producing, writing, and so on—but few reach the peak in more than one field. Still, audiences love watching artists who succeed in multiple domains, like Clint Eastwood or Mel Gibson, who also made their mark as directors after building a reputation as actors.

Renly Hall is proving to be one of those rare talents.

He's not just a gifted actor, but a skilled singer and songwriter as well. His success isn't the product of a gimmick or a Disney idol's fleeting fame—it's due to his genuine talent. The praise for Don Quixote has been overwhelming, echoing the acclaim that his earlier works, like Crazy in Love and Buried Alive, received.

Such a phenomenon is incredibly rare.

The buzz around Don Quixote has shaken the media, drawing attention from every corner of the world.

It's important to note that just two months ago, Kendrick Lamar released his debut solo album Eighty Area, which, like Don Quixote, initially went unnoticed. However, it quickly became a favorite in the hip-hop community, with several prominent figures declaring Kendrick the new king of West Coast rap. The album's average rating is currently 90, making it one of the best hip-hop albums of the millennium.

Both Kendrick Lamar and Renly Hall were unknown artists at the time of their album releases. Yet, their paths diverged—Don Quixote eventually rose to prominence, while Lamar's album garnered consistent attention. Despite these differences, the music critics celebrated both albums as signs of a rejuvenated music scene. Not a resurgence in sales or a market boom, but a return to music itself. For music critics, this return is a gift, with the fluctuations of the market outside their control.

In many ways, these critics are like George Slender—demanding, sharp, and critical—but driven by a deep love and a need for true artistic fulfillment.

Who could have predicted that the closing song "Be Sure," which was highlighted by The Tonight Show, would lead to the discovery of Don Quixote? This is an album that, despite its modest beginnings, has gained significant traction with an exceptional 92 rating, making it impossible to ignore in 2011.

Don Quixote was officially released on August 29th, and six weeks later, its sales were still tepid. The album sold 2,000 copies in its first week, 4,000 in its second, and continued at a steady pace of around 3,000 copies per week. By this point, its total sales barely surpassed 20,000 copies.

As both George Slender and Renly Hall predicted, Don Quixote was not a commercial hit—yet. The question now was not how much it would sell, but how much it would lose.

Despite this, George, Neil, Stanley, and the rest of Renly's team never lost hope. To them, the album's release was already a victory, and they were committed to supporting it for the long term.

There was also good news. Since Pioneer Village Night was uploaded to YouTube, the album's reach had steadily increased, thanks to fans who had attended the event and actively promoted it. This grassroots effort helped maintain the album's steady sales, which remained stable around 3,000 copies per week.

Since entering the Billboard album chart in early September, Don Quixote had stayed around 150th place. But after the Tonight Show appearance, everything changed. The album sold 16,000 copies in a single week, catapulting it to number 38 on the Billboard chart—almost as many copies as it had sold in the previous six weeks combined.

This is one of the defining features of the internet age: the power of media exposure. In today's world, audiences are increasingly influenced by the media, and the effects of trends and public attention can have a significant impact on sales.

This surge in sales was thanks to The Tonight Show, a powerful promotional tool that had propelled Don Quixote into the public eye, despite Eleven Studio's initial plans not including such publicity. The album's new success showed the immense power of media exposure.

Now, the big question remains: How much of this success is genuine? How many people bought the album because they truly appreciated it, rather than following the hype? How many will become loyal fans of Renly Hall's music, joining the movement that's still growing?

Time will tell.

Perhaps Don Quixote will follow in the footsteps of Flying Away, eventually reaching a wider audience and solidifying its place in history. Or perhaps it will fade, much like Eighty Area, becoming a fleeting moment before fading from public consciousness.

One thing is certain: the dream has been planted, but for it to truly flourish, it needs more than just one appearance on The Tonight Show.

Nevertheless, Don Quixote achieved its biggest win since its release, not only climbing the album charts but also the singles charts.

"Cleopatra," the hit ballad single, broke into the top ten on the singles chart, settling at number 10. This is the sixty-eighth week of its release, and it's an incredible feat. It's nothing short of astonishing.

"Ophelia" has also seen a boost, entering the top 50 for the first time after 54 weeks on the charts. These achievements quietly cement the album's place in music history.

As Archimedes once said, "Give me a fulcrum and a lever long enough, and I can move the earth." What was once seen as an impossible theory is now coming to life through Don Quixote.

The Tonight Show acted as the fulcrum, while the album itself became the lever, and Renly Hall is the one moving the earth. What once seemed like the most absurd dream is now becoming a reality.

However, compared to the success of "Cleopatra," "Ophelia," and "Believe," it is clear that Don Quixote has achieved something truly extraordinary.