Haunted is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Poe, released in 2000 after a five-year hiatus from her debut album Hello in 1995. The self-produced album was created as a tribute to her father, and counterpart to her brother Mark Z. Danielewski's novel House of Leaves.

In April 2019, eOne Music released Haunted on vinyl for the first time as an exclusive through Books-A-Million.

Overview The album features samples of audio cassettes made by Poe's father, film director Tad Danielewski. The cassettes, containing audio from Tad to Poe and her brother Mark from as far back as their births, were found by Poe and Mark after their father died. Thus, the album is usually interpreted as a real woman (Poe) singing tributes to her deceased father (who sings back) while telling the story of a group of fictional characters (from House of Leaves).

History Haunted found Poe combining traditional pop notions with electronic, dance and hard rock music. The album was a critical success. The song "Hey Pretty" was released as a promotional single, but Poe's vocals had been replaced with a chapter reading from her brother. It reached  13 on Billboard's US Modern Rock chart. "Wild" was planned as a third single, garnering some radio play in the Chicago area after a promotional edit was released. The single was never released commercially but featured a shorter radio mix in addition to an acoustic/rock version of the song.

Reception

Haunted received generally positive reviews. On Metacritic, the album has a score of 76 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews".Critic Reviews for Haunted. Metacritic. Retrieved November 21, 2014.

MacKenzie Wilson of AllMusic gave the album a positive review, writing "Haunted is in its own class of twisted intelligence and beauty." In another positive review, PopMatterss Eden Miller wrote "Few musicians are on the same level as Poe in terms of her bravery exposing and expressing her own personal fears. While it's a bit obvious to say it, Haunted will haunt you."Miller, Eden. Poe: Haunted. Popmatters. Retrieved November 25, 2014. In another positive review, Jason Mandell of LA Weekly wrote "Those without patience for such abstractions (brief though they may be) may find Haunted tiresome. The rest of us can rejoice in its originality and thank our lucky stars that Poe had the confidence and imagination to make it."Mandell, Jason. Ghosts Poe holds a séance. LA Weekly. Retrieved November 25, 2014.

In a mixed review, Rolling Stones Neva Chonin wrote "Unfortunately, Haunted reverberates with tired samples, rehashed echo effects and beats so plodding they could stop a metronome." Q also gave the album a mixed review, writing "The mood is too heavy for far too long, but some good songs and more cohesive, melodic structures augur well for this damaged daughter's future."

Track listing

Personnel Poe – vocals Daris Adkins – guitar Charlie Bisharat – violin Kenneth Burgomaster – keyboards David Campbell – viola Larry Corbett – cello Mark Z. Danielewski – vocals Mike Elizondo – bass guitar Brandon Fields – saxophone Josh Freese – drums Gary Grant – trumpet Jerry Hey – trumpet Trevor Lawrence Jr. – drums Priscilla Loeb – vocals Jamie Muhoberac – keyboards John O'Brien – fiddle Melissa Rogers – vocals Samantha Rogers – vocals Madison Rubeli – vocals Bill Reichenbach – trombone Michael Urbano – drums Joey Waronker – drums

Production Producers: Poe, Olle Romo, Matt Wilder, Matt Wallace, Mike Urban Engineers: Kirk Fyvie, Phil Kaffel, Chad Bamford, Danger Jay Mixing: Paul Leary, Olle Romo, David Thoener, Danger Jay Programming: Poe, John O'Brien, Olle Romo, Danger Jay Arranger: David Campbell

ChartsAlbum – Billboard (US) YearChartPeak position2000The Billboard 200115Singles''' – Billboard (US) YearSingleChartPeak position2001"Hey Pretty"Adult Top 40302001"Hey Pretty"Modern Rock Tracks13

In other media An early version of the song "Control" was featured in the 1998 PlayStation third-person shooter video game Apocalypse.

The album's title track was used in the ending credits to the film Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 (2000).Haunted was also referred to in the 2002 film Panic Room. In a conversation between Meg Altman, (played by Jodie Foster) and a real estate agent, she asks, "Ever read any Poe?", to which the response is, "No, but I loved her last album!".

The song "Haunted" was also featured at the end of the second episode of the video game Alan Wake'' (2010).

References