Almost an Island
Wolfstone · 2002
44 min · 10 tracks · Celtic rock
A vibrant blend of traditional Scottish folk and energetic rock, filled with intricate melodies and lively instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Queen of Argyll — This track stands out with its hauntingly beautiful melody and poignant lyrics that evoke a sense of longing and nostalgia for Scottish landscapes.
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5/4 Madness — With its unconventional time signature and infectious energy, this track exemplifies Wolfstone's innovative approach to blending traditional folk rhythms with modern rock elements.
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All Our Dreams — The closing track offers an expansive soundscape and reflective lyrics, encapsulating the themes of hope and aspiration present throughout the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends traditional and contemporary sounds effectively but doesn't push boundaries within its genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a traditional Scottish tune that features bagpipes prominently, setting a folk-centric tone.
- The last track, 'The Panda', concludes with a gradual fade-out, creating a sense of closure after the energetic preceding songs.
- 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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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
- lively instrumentation for celebrations
- intricate melodies for detail seekers
- short tracks for quick enjoyment
- energetic rhythms for dancing
- nostalgic themes for reflective moments
Maybe skip if you
- slow-paced listeners seeking calm
- fans of lengthy, immersive pieces
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Almost an Island is Wolfstone's fifth studio album, released in 2002 after a period of lineup changes that influenced their sound. By this time, the band had already established a strong reputation within the Celtic rock scene, building on the success of their previous albums like The Chase.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Clannad· Capercaillie· The Pogues
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Piper and the Shrew 3:32
- 2 Elav the Terrible 3:27
- 3 Where the Summers Go 4:07
- 4 La Grande Nuit du Port de Peche 4:11
- 5 The Queen of Argyll 4:21
- 6 5/4 Madness 5:02
- 7 Davie’s Last Reel 3:23
- 8 Jericho 4:10
- 9 All Our Dreams 6:39
- 10 The Panda 5:14
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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