Released 20 years ago
After the Morning
Cara Dillon · 2006
50 min · 12 tracks · Irish folk music
Lush arrangements weave through evocative storytelling, showcasing the haunting beauty of traditional Irish folk music.
Top tracks — play these first
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Never in a Million Years — Opening with a delicate vocal performance, this track sets the emotional tone for the album, blending vulnerability with strength in its lyrical content.
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Brockagh Braes — This song showcases Dillon's ability to reinterpret traditional melodies with a contemporary touch, creating a bridge between past and present.
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The Snows They Melt the Soonest — A poignant reflection on transient love, this track highlights Dillon's skillful storytelling and emotive delivery, making it a standout moment on the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Dillon's second album showcases strong arrangements and storytelling but remains within familiar folk templates.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate call-and-response structures, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the communal feel typical of folk music.
- The arrangement of 'The Snows They Melt the Soonest' builds gradually, starting with solo vocals and adding harmonies and instrumentation as it progresses.
- 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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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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
- haunting vocals for introspective moments
- serene soundscapes for quiet reflection
- gentle pacing for evening relaxation
- evocative storytelling through lush arrangements
- warm melodies for cozy gatherings
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy dance tracks
- prefer instant gratification over depth
Where this album fits
- Career context
- After the Morning marks Cara Dillon's second studio album, following her self-titled debut in 2004. By this point, she had established herself as a significant voice in contemporary folk music, drawing on deep roots in Irish traditions while exploring broader musical landscapes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Lisa Hannigan· Kate Rusby· Clannad
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Never in a Million Years 3:49
- 2 I Wish You Well 4:19
- 3 Here's a Health 4:46
- 4 Brockagh Braes 5:11
- 5 Garden Valley 4:08
- 6 October Winds 4:01
- 7 Bold Jamie 4:59
- 8 The Streets of Derry 4:28
- 9 This Time 3:59
- 10 The Snows They Melt the Soonest 4:19
- 11 Walls 3:02
- 12 Grace 3:16
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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