# The Holy Pictures

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2008 studio album by David Holmes

The Holy Pictures Studio album by David Holmes Released 8 September 2008 Genre Electronic rock, electronica, krautrock, big beat Label Go! Beat David Holmes chronology David Holmes presents The Free Association (2002) The Holy Pictures (2008) Singles from The Holy Pictures ""I Heard Wonders"" Released: August 2008 ""Holy Pictures"" Released: 2008

***The Holy Pictures*** is the fifth studio album by [David Holmes](/source/David_Holmes_(musician)), released through [Go! Beat](/source/Go!_Beat) on September 8, 2008. It is Holmes's first album since 2003's *[David Holmes presents The Free Association](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=David_Holmes_presents_The_Free_Association&action=edit&redlink=1)*. The album departs from the eclectic soundtrack-to-an-imaginary-film style of his previous studio albums, in favour of a more personal approach.[1]

To promote *The Holy Pictures*, Holmes released two singles "I Heard Wonders" and "Holy Pictures". The album was nominated for the [2008 Choice Music Prize](/source/Choice_Music_Prize#Irish_Album_of_the_Year_2008) as the best Irish album of the year, losing to [Jape](/source/Jape_(band))'s [Ritual](/source/Ritual_(Jape_album)).[2][3][4]

## Background

David Holmes called *The Holy Pictures* his most personal record. It is the first Holmes' album where he performs most of the vocals, which wasn't initially planned, but after "all the music was nearly complete, he realised that no one else can sing on it but him". The album's personal feelings respond to the death of his parents, the loss of a friend, and the birth of his daughter.[5]

The closing track "The Ballad of Sarah and Jack" is Holmes' tribute to his parents.[1]

## Music

David Holmes, composing the album, drew inspiration from Herbert Hink (German minimalist pianist), [Jesus and Mary Chain](/source/Jesus_and_Mary_Chain), [La Düsseldorf](/source/La_D%C3%BCsseldorf), [Blondie](/source/Blondie_(band)), early [Brian Eno](/source/Brian_Eno), Manoir, the [Beach Boys](/source/Beach_Boys), and [Soft Machine](/source/Soft_Machine).[5]

The critics noticed a varied influence palette of influence reflected in the album's sound, most notably sourcing from [Jim Reid](/source/Jim_Reid)'s vocal style from [The Jesus and Mary Chain](/source/The_Jesus_and_Mary_Chain);[6] paying tribute to the psychedelic and hypnotic aspects of [Primal Scream](/source/Primal_Scream), [Stone Roses](/source/Stone_Roses), [Spiritualized](/source/Spiritualized), [Stereolab](/source/Stereolab), [My Bloody Valentine](/source/My_Bloody_Valentine_(band)); and the motorik rhythm of [Krautrock](/source/Krautrock) band [Neu!](/source/Neu!), in particular on "Melanie". *The Holy Pictures* resemble [Brian Eno](/source/Brian_Eno) in its "warm production" and "limpid, wistful instrumentals".[1][6][7][8][9]

*The Holy Pictures*, for the most part, burst with "kaleidoscopic color". The first half "vividly approximates the decadent, ultraviolet-lit scene at a student-[disco](/source/Disco) circa 1990, with a steady clip of head-rushed, stoned-immaculate pop songs". The instrumental song "Story of the Ink" refers back to the "nocturnal desolation" of Primal Scream's *[Trainspotting](/source/Trainspotting_(film))* theme, until a tremolo electric-guitar and amplified frequencies gradually lifts the song into a "psychedelic splendor". At the back-end, these euphoric feelings progressively become more distant, somber, and "something more substantial than a blissed-out [shoegazing](/source/Shoegaze) nostalgia trip".[1]

## Critical reception

Professional ratings Review scores Source Rating AllMusic [6] Drowned in Sound 8/10[7] The Guardian [8] Pitchfork 7.8/10[1]

The album has garnered generally favourable reviews, and is seen as a successful departure from its predecessors.[7] Thom Jurek, writing for [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic), called it "engaging, at times stunning", praising the pop aesthetic of the upbeat songs, while remarking that "there is that sadness at this album's heart that draws one in; it doesn't feel like mope or exorcism, just personal".[6] *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))* added that the closing three songs "seek to recapture a certain back-to-the-womb comfort... and prove an affecting come-down to the preceding songs' sunglasses-at-night swagger".[1]

Both critics praised the final song, "The Ballad of Sarah and Jack", lauding it as the most absorbing track, "gorgeous", and "unspeakably somber".[1][6] Jurek also favoured the opener, "I Heard Wonders", calling it a "killer track".[6]

*[BBC Music Magazine](/source/BBC_Music_Magazine)* praised the alum, enjoying the unexpected stylistic direction and its heartfelt sound, but isolating "Theme/IMC" as a misfire, which "starts like Brian Eno but ends up sounding like a backwards cousin of [Crockett's Theme](/source/Crockett's_Theme)".[9]

## Track listing

All music and lyrics written [David Holmes](/source/David_Holmes_(musician)), except where noted.

No. Title Lyrics Music Length 1. "I Heard Wonders" David Holmes, Martin Rev[10] Holmes, Leo Abrahams 5:35 2. "The Story of the Ink" 5:22 3. "Love Reign Over Me" Holmes, Gary Irwin 3:47 4. "Theme / I.M.C." Holmes, Abrahams 3:55 5. "Holy Pictures" 5:19 6. "Kill Her with Kindness" 4:03 7. "Melanie" 3:59 8. "Hey Maggy" 4:58 9. "Birth" 1:07 10. "The Ballad of Sarah and Jack" Holmes, Jon Hopkins 4:27 Total length: 42:32

**[iTunes](/source/ITunes) bonus tracks**

No. Title Length 11. "Return of the Nightfarmers" 4:28 12. "The Dogs They Are Parading" 3:12 Total length: 7:40

## Personnel

**Musicians**[11]

- [David Holmes](/source/David_Holmes_(musician)) – [vocals](/source/Vocals) (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7), [electronics](/source/Electronic_musical_instrument) (1, 2), [CS80 synthesizer](/source/Yamaha_CS-80) (3), [glockenspiel](/source/Glockenspiel) (6), [programming](/source/Programming_(music)) (1–4, 8, 9), [sound effects](/source/Sound_effect) (3, 4, 6), [arrangement](/source/Arrangement) (2, 4–8), [production](/source/Record_producer) (all tracks)

- [Leo Abrahams](/source/Leo_Abrahams) – [guitar](/source/Guitar) (1–4, 6), [bass](/source/Bass_guitar) (1, 7, 10), [six string bass](/source/Six_string_bass) (10), [keyboards](/source/Keyboard_instrument) (1), [RMI electric piano](/source/Rocky_Mount_Instruments) (2, 4), [guitaret](/source/Guitaret) (3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10), [mellotron](/source/Mellotron) (4), big string (5), [marxophone](/source/Marxophone) and [hurdy gurdy](/source/Hurdy-gurdy) (7)

- Danny Todd – [acoustic guitar](/source/Acoustic_guitar) and [backing vocals](/source/Backing_vocalist) (5), vocals (7), additional bass (10)

- [Woody Jackson](/source/Woody_Jackson) – [chamberlin](/source/Chamberlin) and glockenspiel (2), ring mod (5), recording (2, 5, 6, 8, 9)

- [Scott Kinsey](/source/Scott_Kinsey) – RMI electric piano (5), CS80 synthesizer and [toy piano](/source/Toy_piano) (6), [piano](/source/Piano) and [organ](/source/Organ_(music)) (8), chamberlin (9)

- [Jon Hopkins](/source/Jon_Hopkins) – piano and [CS1 synthesizer](/source/Yamaha_CS1x) (10)

- [Tim Harries](/source/Tim_Harries) – bass (2, 4, 6, 8)

- [Jason Falkner](/source/Jason_Falkner) – bass (2)

- [Donald Ross Skinner](/source/Donald_Ross_Skinner) – bass (5)

- [Jeremy Stacey](/source/Jeremy_Stacey) – drums (1, 6, 7)

- Zack Danziger – drums (4, 5)

- Pati Hilton – [backing vocals](/source/Backing_vocalist) (3)

- [Foy Vance](/source/Foy_Vance) – backing vocals (6), vocals (8)

- Tanya Mellote – additional bass (6), vocals (6, 7)

- Nina Holmes – vocals (8)

**Production**

- Dave Terry – assistant engineer (1, 2, 4, 6–8, 10)

- [Hugo Nicolson](/source/Hugo_Nicolson) – recording (1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) mixing (1, 2, 4, 6–10), additional drum programming (2)

- [Stephen Hilton](/source/Stephen_Hilton) – CS80 synthesizer (3), mixing (3, 5)

- [Olga Fitzroy](/source/Olga_FitzRoy) – assistant engineer (3, 5)

## Popular culture

The track "Love Reign Over Me" is featured on the episode "Freddie" (series 3, episode 5) of the UK version of *[Skins](/source/Skins_(UK_TV_series))*.[12] The track "Holy Pictures" is featured in football video game *[Pro Evolution Soccer 2010](/source/Pro_Evolution_Soccer_2010)*. "Theme / I.M.C." previously appeared on the compilation *The Oh Yeah Sessions '08* as "McCready Rides Again".[13] The song "I Heard Wonders" was featured in the opening ceremony of the [London 2012 Olympics](/source/London_2012_Olympics)[14] and, later in 2012, as the theme for the first series of *[Dara Ó Briain's Science Club](/source/Dara_%C3%93_Briain's_Science_Club)*.

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Pitchfork_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Pitchfork_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Pitchfork_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Pitchfork_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Pitchfork_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Pitchfork_1-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-Pitchfork_1-6) Stuart Berman (25 September 2008). ["The Holy Pictures - David Holmes"](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/12236-the-holy-pictures/). *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Choice Music Prize Shortlist"](https://web.archive.org/web/20250112135959/https://www.hotpress.com/music/choice-music-prize-shortlist-5171298). *[Hot Press](/source/Hot_Press_(magazine))*. 14 January 2009. Archived from [the original](http://www.hotpress.com/news/5171298.html) on 12 January 2025. Retrieved 16 January 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Choice Music Prize - Shortlist Announced"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090503000228/http://www.imro.ie/newstastic//news.php?item=9670). [IMRO](/source/Irish_Music_Rights_Organisation). 15 January 2009. Archived from [the original](http://www.imro.ie/newstastic//news.php?item=9762) on 3 May 2009. Retrieved 16 January 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Choice Music nominees announced"](https://www.rte.ie/arts/2009/0115/choicemusicprize.html). [RTÉ](/source/RT%C3%89). 15 January 2009. Retrieved 16 January 2009.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-dazed_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-dazed_5-1) ["David Holmes Returns with The Holy Pictures"](https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/831/1/david-holmes-returns-with-the-holy-pictures). *[Dazed](/source/Dazed)*. 27 August 2008.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Allmusic_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Allmusic_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Allmusic_6-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Allmusic_6-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Allmusic_6-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Allmusic_6-5) [AllMusic review](https://www.allmusic.com/album/r1419838)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Drowned_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Drowned_7-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Drowned_7-2) ["Drowned in Sound review"](https://web.archive.org/web/20101129181147/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/13686/reviews/4045077). Archived from [the original](http://drownedinsound.com/releases/13686/reviews/4045077) on 29 November 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2009.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Observer_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Observer_8-1) ["CD: David Holmes, The Holy Pictures"](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/sep/05/electronicmusic.popandrock). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*. 5 September 2008. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160314112111/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/sep/05/electronicmusic.popandrock) from the original on 14 March 2016.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-bbc_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-bbc_9-1) Rowan Collinson (5 September 2008). ["David Holmes The Holy Pictures Review"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/qh8c/). *[BBC Music Magazine](/source/BBC_Music_Magazine)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130507102344/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/qh8c) from the original on 7 May 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["David Holmes - I Hear Wonders"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130716051240/http://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/david-holmes-i-hear-wonders). *[Clash](/source/Clash_(magazine))*. 28 August 2008. Archived from [the original](http://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/david-holmes-i-hear-wonders) on 16 July 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [*David Holmes - The Holy Pictures*](https://www.discogs.com/release/1457433-David-Holmes-The-Holy-Pictures), retrieved 18 November 2022

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Skins - Series 3 Episode 5 Music"](http://www.e4.com/skins/music/series3-episode5.html).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["The Oh Yeah Sessions '08"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080413221443/http://www.ohyeahbelfast.com/ohyeah-sessions-08/thebands.php). Archived from [the original](http://www.ohyeahbelfast.com/ohyeah-sessions-08/thebands.php) on 13 April 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Olympics Opening Ceremony - The Playlist"](https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/olympics-opening-ceremony-the-playlist). *[NME](/source/NME)*. 27 July 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2014.

v t e David Holmes Studio albums This Film's Crap Let's Slash the Seats Let's Get Killed Bow Down to the Exit Sign The Holy Pictures Compilation albums Late Night Tales: David Holmes Soundtracks Ocean's Eleven Ocean's Twelve Ocean's Thirteen

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [The Holy Pictures](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Holy_Pictures) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Holy_Pictures?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.