Angel with a Lariat
k.d. lang · 1987
31 min · 10 tracks · country music
A blend of country and pop with lush melodies and lang's distinctive, emotive vocals weaving through introspective storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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Turn Me Round — The opening track sets the tone with its infectious rhythm and showcases lang's powerful voice, drawing listeners into her world with vivid imagery.
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Rose Garden — Lang’s rendition transforms this classic into an intimate reflection on love and loss, highlighting her ability to reinterpret well-known songs with fresh emotion.
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Angel With a Lariat — The title track encapsulates the album’s themes of longing and nostalgia while demonstrating lang’s unique vocal prowess and lyrical depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and distinctive vocals, establishing lang's unique presence in country music.
What we noticed
- Lang's vocals are prominent throughout, often layered with harmonies that enhance the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- Several tracks feature instrumental interludes that transition smoothly between songs, contributing to an overall cohesive sound.
- 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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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- 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
- introspective moments of reflection
- short tracks for quick enjoyment
- warm vocals for cozy evenings
- playful energy for lighthearted listening
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy intensity
- prefer longer, sprawling albums
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Angel with a Lariat is k.d. lang's debut album, released in 1987 when she was establishing her identity as a prominent artist in the Canadian music scene. At this point, lang was transitioning from her earlier work with the band The Reclines and beginning to carve out a solo career that would ultimately gain international acclaim.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Patty Griffin· Neko Case· Brandi Carlile
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Turn Me Round 3:16
- 2 High Time for a Detour 4:06
- 3 Diet of Strange Places 3:53
- 4 Got the Bull by the Horns 3:02
- 5 Watch Your Step Polka 2:02
- 6 Rose Garden 3:19
- 7 Tune Into My Wave 3:35
- 8 Angel With a Lariat 3:11
- 9 Pay Dirt 2:10
- 10 Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray 2:29
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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