A Rollins in the Wry
Henry Rollins · 2001
64 min · 13 tracks · hardcore punk
A razor-sharp spoken word exploration blending humor and social critique with Rollins' signature intensity.
Top tracks — play these first
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The United Colors of West LA — In this piece, Rollins dissects the complexities of life in Los Angeles, weaving humor with biting social critique that exemplifies his unique voice.
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Never Again — This track reflects on personal relationships and societal expectations, capturing Rollins' raw emotional power while addressing themes of vulnerability.
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Clintonese — Rollins uses sharp wit to critique political language and its implications, demonstrating his skill at blending humor with incisive political commentary.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Rollins blends humor and critique in a structured spoken word format, showcasing his unique storytelling style.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent structure where each track is a self-contained story, often blending humor with social critique.
- Rollins employs a dynamic vocal delivery that shifts in intensity and pace, keeping the listener engaged throughout the spoken word pieces.
- Several tracks utilize recurring themes and motifs, such as societal observations and personal anecdotes, creating a cohesive narrative thread.
- The running time of the album is tightly managed, with most tracks averaging around three to five minutes, allowing for quick transitions between topics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
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
- sharp wit with intense delivery
- thought-provoking social commentary
- engaging narratives for active listeners
- candid reflections on modern life
Maybe skip if you
- prefer melodic over spoken word
- seek quick, light entertainment
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2001, A Rollins in the Wry marks Henry Rollins' foray into spoken word performance after years as a punk icon. Following his time with Black Flag and a successful music career, this album showcases his transition to storytelling and commentary, further solidifying his place as a cultural provocateur.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Black Flag· Minor Threat· Bad Brains
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Intro 3:11
- 2 Death to Poets 0:58
- 3 Journal 4:17
- 4 Clintonese 2:03
- 5 Language 3:24
- 6 Never Again 3:24
- 7 The United Colors of West LA 9:20
- 8 Rite Aid 4:57
- 9 Israel 8:02
- 10 Maturity 9:46
- 11 Men in Make Up 6:06
- 12 Future Parents 6:37
- 13 Encore 2:19
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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