And the Conquering Sun
Gord Downie · 2014
30 min · 10 tracks
A reflective blend of folk-rock and poetic lyricism that captures the essence of personal and collective memory.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Conquering Sun — The title track encapsulates the album's overarching themes of hope and resilience through vivid imagery and evocative storytelling, setting the emotional tone for the record.
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It Didn’t Start to Break My Heart Until This Afternoon — This track stands out for its poignant reflection on love and loss, showcasing Downie's ability to weave personal narrative into broader human experiences.
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Demand Destruction — Here, Downie employs sharp social commentary on contemporary issues, blending personal urgency with a critique of societal indifference, 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.
The album features reflective songwriting and a consistent tone, though it may not stand out significantly in its genre.
What we noticed
- Lyrical themes often revolve around personal experiences and collective memory, with verses that blend storytelling and introspection.
- Several tracks feature minimal instrumentation, allowing Downie's vocal delivery to take center stage, emphasizing the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- 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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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- 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 reflective moments
- introspective listening on quiet afternoons
- thoughtful lyrics for deep contemplation
- short tracks for focused attention
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy party vibes
- prefer longer, sprawling albums
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2014, And the Conquering Sun marked Gord Downie's first solo studio album since the Tragically Hip's final tour. This album came after a period of introspection following a successful career with the band, showcasing Downie's unique voice as he navigated themes of loss and identity amidst his well-documented health struggles.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Tragically Hip· Blue Rodeo· Joel Plaskett
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Crater 2:46
- 2 The Conquering Sun 3:09
- 3 Los Angeles Times 3:34
- 4 One Good Fast Job 2:27
- 5 It Didn’t Start to Break My Heart Until This Afternoon 4:02
- 6 Budget Shoes 2:43
- 7 Demand Destruction 2:38
- 8 Devil Enough 3:15
- 9 I’m Free, Disarray Me 2:25
- 10 Saved 3:06
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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