Ash Wednesday
Elvis Perkins · 2007
50 min · 11 tracks · rock music
Introspective melodies intertwine with haunting lyrics, creating a tapestry of longing and reflection amidst understated instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
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While You Were Sleeping — This opening track sets the tone with its delicate instrumentation and introspective lyrics that explore themes of absence and longing.
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May Day! — The juxtaposition of celebratory imagery against somber undertones makes this track a compelling exploration of human emotion and resilience.
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Ash Wednesday — The title track encapsulates the album's overall themes of grief and renewal, featuring poignant lyrics delivered over an atmospheric arrangement.
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Emile's Vietnam in the Sky — This track stands out for its vivid storytelling and metaphorical depth, reflecting on loss through the lens of personal experience and broader historical context.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's introspective lyrics and varied instrumentation create a compelling emotional journey.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features a consistent use of soft, acoustic instrumentation, while the second half introduces more varied arrangements and instrumentation.
- Several tracks utilize a call-and-response vocal style, creating a dialogue between Perkins' voice and backing harmonies.
- 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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8/10
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.
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Ash Wednesday
A shift occurs when the narrative voice transforms from personal reflection to addressing collective grief, inviting listeners into shared vulnerability.
This transition creates a sense of community around the themes of loss, making it more than just an individual experience.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 While You Were Sleeping 6:19
- 2 All the Night Without Love 3:10
- 3 May Day! 5:00
- 4 Moon Woman II 4:25
- 5 It's Only Me 3:58
- 6 Emile's Vietnam in the Sky 2:59
- 7 Ash Wednesday 6:30
- 8 The Night & the Liquor 4:44
- 9 It's a Sad World After All 4:12
- 10 Sleep Sandwich 4:10
- 11 Good Friday 5:17
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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