Alibis cover

Alibis

Tracy Lawrence · 1993

31 min · 10 tracks · country music

Heartfelt storytelling merges with traditional country instrumentation, creating a sound both nostalgic and deeply emotional.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    I Threw the Rest Away Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
  • →
    Alibis — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of regret and longing, presenting a poignant narrative about self-deception in love.
  • →
    Can't Break It to My Heart — This track highlights Lawrence's emotive vocal delivery, capturing the struggle of moving on from a failed relationship with a catchy melody.
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    Crying Ain't Dying — Here, Lawrence combines a traditional country sound with relatable lyrics about resilience, making it a standout anthem for those grappling with heartache.
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    We Don't Love Here Anymore — This song offers a somber reflection on lost love, showcasing Lawrence's storytelling prowess and ability to evoke deep emotions through simple yet powerful lyrics.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

51 /100
Foothills
Higher than 34% of albums we've rated

Traditional country elements and storytelling create a solid yet familiar sound.

What we noticed

  • The album features a consistent use of traditional country instrumentation, including steel guitar and fiddle, throughout all ten tracks.
  • Each song typically follows a verse-chorus structure, with many tracks employing a storytelling approach in the lyrics.
  • The tempo varies slightly, but most songs maintain a mid-tempo pace, creating a cohesive feel across the record.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
8/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

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 emotional storytelling
  • heartfelt melodies for reflective moments
  • short tracks for quick listening
  • for casual gatherings

Maybe skip if you

  • seeks high-energy dance tracks
  • prefers lengthy immersive experiences

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — Established Tracy Lawrence's reputation with chart-topping hits and signature songs.
Career context
With 'Alibis,' released in January 1993, Tracy Lawrence solidified his place in the country music scene following his successful debut album 'Sticks and Stones.' This record marked his first major commercial breakthrough, featuring hit singles that would define his early career.
Stylistic neighbors
Alan Jackson· George Strait· Brooks & Dunn

Tracklist

  • 1 I Threw the Rest Away Start here 3:30
  • 2 Can't Break It to My Heart 2:55
  • 3 We Don't Love Here Anymore 3:09
  • 4 Crying Ain't Dying 3:14
  • 5 Alibis 3:04
  • 6 My Second Home 2:46
  • 7 Don't Talk to Me That Way 3:49
  • 8 It Only Takes One Bar (To Make a Prison) 3:33
  • 9 Back to Back 3:14
  • 10 If the Good Die Young 2:26

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata