Bad Self Portraits
Lake Street Dive · 2014
39 min · 11 tracks · jazz
A vibrant blend of jazz-inflected pop and soulful melodies, infused with playful wit and emotional depth.
Top tracks — play these first
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Bad Self Portraits — The title track encapsulates the album's theme of self-reflection, featuring clever lyrics that explore identity through a buoyant melody.
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You Go Down Smooth — This track stands out for its infectious groove and playful lyrics, showcasing the band's ability to blend humor with heartfelt emotion.
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Just Ask — With its rich harmonies and introspective lyrics, this song highlights the band's vocal prowess and musical versatility, making it a memorable moment on the album.
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 arrangements, with varied tempos and engaging vocal interplay.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a title track that features a strong horn section, setting a lively tone for the first half.
- Several tracks incorporate call-and-response vocal patterns, creating an interactive feel between the lead singer and backing vocals.
- The final three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, shifting from upbeat grooves to more introspective melodies.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- 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
- playful lyrics that invite smiles
- short tracks for quick enjoyment
- sing-along moments with friends
- energetic vibes for gatherings
- lighthearted themes for sunny days
Maybe skip if you
- seeking deep introspective experiences
- prefer longer, epic compositions
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2014, Bad Self Portraits marked Lake Street Dive's first major label album after their transition from independent releases. By this point, they were building a strong fanbase following their breakthrough with the EP Fun Machine in 2013, which showcased their eclectic sound and vibrant live performances.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Snarky Puppy· The New Mastersounds· Vulfpeck
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Bad Self Portraits 3:24
- 2 Stop Your Crying 3:34
- 3 Better Than 3:35
- 4 Rabid Animal 2:13
- 5 You Go Down Smooth 3:29
- 6 Use Me Up 3:57
- 7 Bobby Tanqueray 3:32
- 8 Just Ask 5:05
- 9 Seventeen 3:39
- 10 What About Me 4:17
- 11 Rental Love 2:37
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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