Auf der Maur
Melissa Auf der Maur · 2004
55 min · 12 tracks · alternative rock
A blend of gritty alternative rock and melodic introspection, layered with atmospheric instrumentation and personal lyricism.
Top tracks — play these first
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Lightning Is My Girl — This opening track showcases Auf der Maur's distinctive vocal style and sets the tone for the album's exploration of empowerment and identity.
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Followed the Waves — The song features a captivating melody paired with evocative lyrics that reflect themes of longing and emotional depth, exemplifying the album's lyrical strength.
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Beast of Honor — With its driving rhythm and bold instrumentation, this track highlights Auf der Maur's ability to fuse rock energy with introspective storytelling.
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I’ll Be Anything You Want — This track stands out for its raw vulnerability, revealing a personal side of Auf der Maur while maintaining a catchy yet haunting melody.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends aggressive and introspective elements but lacks a strong cohesive arc throughout.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features more aggressive guitar-driven tracks, while the second half shifts towards softer, more introspective melodies.
- Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies that create a rich texture, particularly in 'Followed the Waves' and 'Beast of Honor'.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- 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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5/10
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
- long, immersive listening sessions
- layered, dense sonic textures
- dynamic emotional journeys
- atmospheric background focus
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Upon its release in 2004, 'Auf der Maur' marked Melissa Auf der Maur's debut solo album after her tenure with the iconic bands Hole and The Smashing Pumpkins. This album came after she spent years contributing to prominent acts, allowing her to finally express her artistic vision independently.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Smashing Pumpkins· Hole· Nina Gordon
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Followed the Waves
A shift occurs in the chorus where the narrative perspective changes, making an emotional plea that deepens the song's impact.
This shift from reflective narration to direct appeal creates an intimate connection between the listener and the emotional core of the song.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Lightning Is My Girl 4:09
- 2 Followed the Waves 4:48
- 3 Real a Lie 4:22
- 4 Head Unbound 3:58
- 5 Taste You 4:39
- 6 Beast of Honor 3:27
- 7 I’ll Be Anything You Want 2:57
- 8 My Foggy Notion 4:48
- 9 Would If I Could 3:40
- 10 Overpower Thee 2:35
- 11 Skin Receiver 3:35
- 12 I Need I Want I Will / Skit / Taste You (French version) 12:13
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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