Top tracks — play these first
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(You’re My) Inspiration — Opening the album with an infectious melody, this track captures Dury's playful yet poignant approach to love and admiration.
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Ban the Bomb — With a direct political message wrapped in catchy hooks, this song reflects Dury's ability to merge activism with accessible pop music.
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The Man With No Face — This track showcases Dury's storytelling prowess, weaving a narrative that explores themes of identity and alienation with clever wordplay.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines witty lyrics with varied instrumentation, creating an engaging yet uneven experience.
What we noticed
- Several tracks feature playful shifts in instrumentation, such as the use of brass and piano, which add variety to the sound.
- Lyrically, the album showcases Dury's characteristic wit, with storytelling elements that engage listeners through humor and social commentary.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo sing-alongs
- witty lyrics for lighthearted moments
- cheerful background for gatherings
- short tracks for quick listens
Maybe skip if you
- prefer intense emotional depth
- seek experimental soundscapes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time '4,000 Weeks' Holiday' was released in 1984, Ian Dury had already gained fame with his earlier albums, particularly 'New Boots and Panties!!' from 1977. This album followed a period of fluctuating commercial success and marked a return to the studio after a brief hiatus, showcasing his signature blend of humor and social commentary.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Joe Jackson· Squeeze· The Blockheads
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Very Personal
A shift in tone occurs when the narrative voice becomes introspective, revealing vulnerabilities in a candid manner.
This moment marks a departure from the album's more humorous tracks, allowing for emotional depth that contrasts with the surrounding levity.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 (You’re My) Inspiration 4:28
- 2 Friends 3:15
- 3 Tell Your Daddy 2:57
- 4 Peter the Painter 4:04
- 5 Ban the Bomb 4:36
- 6 Percy the Poet 3:35
- 7 Very Personal 4:07
- 8 Take Me to the Cleaners 2:40
- 9 The Man With No Face 5:04
- 10 Really Glad You Came 4:53
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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