Bad Books
Bad Books · 2010
35 min · 10 tracks · indie rock
Melodic indie rock intertwines contemplative lyrics with lush instrumentation, creating an atmosphere of bittersweet introspection.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
How This All Ends — Opening the album, this track sets a reflective tone with its intricate melodies and poignant lyrics that resonate throughout the record.
-
→
I Begged You Everything — This track stands out for its emotional intensity and raw vulnerability, showcasing the lyrical prowess and vocal delivery of Kevin Devine.
-
→
Baby Shoes — With its catchy chorus and relatable themes, this song encapsulates the album's exploration of longing and connection, making it a fan favorite.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends melodic craftsmanship with introspective lyrics, creating a cohesive yet varied listening experience.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks establish a mid-tempo pace with layered guitar melodies and harmonized vocals, while the fourth track introduces a slower, more introspective tone.
- Several songs feature dynamic shifts in instrumentation, with quieter verses building into fuller choruses that emphasize emotional peaks.
- The album closes with two tracks that gradually decrease in tempo, creating a reflective atmosphere as it concludes.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
7/10
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.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 How This All Ends 3:03
- 2 The Easy Mark & the Old Maid 3:37
- 3 Baby Shoes 3:50
- 4 You’re a Mirror I Cannot Avoid 3:53
- 5 Holding Down the Laughter 4:04
- 6 You Wouldn’t Have to Ask 1:52
- 7 I Begged You Everything 4:50
- 8 Please Move 3:02
- 9 Mesa, AZ 3:23
- 10 Texas 4:00
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.