Is August a good place to start with Eric Clapton?

Yes, August is recommended as a starting point for new Eric Clapton listeners. A smooth blend of blues-rock melodies layered with heartfelt lyrics and polished production that reflects Clapton's maturity as an artist. By the time 'August' was released in 1986, Eric Clapton had already achieved significant success as a solo artist after his legendary work with bands like Cream and The Yardbirds. This album followed his 1985 release 'Behind the Sun', continuing his exploration of pop-oriented rock while collaborating closely with other artists, including the legendary guitarist Michael Landau.

August works well if you're into wave-like pacing with emotional highs, reflective moments for personal introspection and smooth transitions between tracks.

How many songs are on August?

August has 12 tracks, running approximately 55 minutes.

Released 40 years ago

August

Eric Clapton · 1986

55 min · 12 tracks · blues

A smooth blend of blues-rock melodies layered with heartfelt lyrics and polished production that reflects Clapton's maturity as an artist.

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Top tracks — play these first

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It’s in the Way That You Use It Start here — This track stands out as it combines catchy hooks with Clapton's signature guitar work, establishing a vibrant opener for the album that captures its overall tone.
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Holy Mother — The emotional depth of this song showcases Clapton's songwriting prowess, offering a poignant reflection on themes of loss and spirituality that resonate throughout the album.
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Bad Influence — With its driving rhythm and lyrical storytelling, this track exemplifies Clapton's ability to weave personal narratives into compelling rock music, making it a standout moment in the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album features solid songwriting and polished production but lacks standout tracks that elevate it beyond its era.

What we noticed

The first half of the album maintains a consistent mid-tempo groove, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and emotional dynamics.
The production employs polished instrumentation, with prominent use of keyboards and backing vocals that enhance the overall sound.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

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

wave-like pacing with emotional highs
reflective moments for personal introspection
smooth transitions between tracks
engaging guitar solos throughout
ideal for late-night listening

Maybe skip if you

seeks instant gratification tracks
prefers high-energy party music

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Showcased Clapton's ability to blend rock with contemporary sounds, enhancing his reputation.
Career context: By the time 'August' was released in 1986, Eric Clapton had already achieved significant success as a solo artist after his legendary work with bands like Cream and The Yardbirds. This album followed his 1985 release 'Behind the Sun', continuing his exploration of pop-oriented rock while collaborating closely with other artists, including the legendary guitarist Michael Landau.
Stylistic neighbors: Gary Moore· Joe Bonamassa· John Mayer