Be Glad for the Song Has No Ending
The Incredible String Band · 1971
50 min · 6 tracks · folk music
A whimsical tapestry of folk and psychedelia interwoven with intricate melodies and explorative lyrics.
Top tracks — play these first
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Come With Me — The opening track sets a whimsical tone with its enchanting melodies and inviting lyrics, embodying the playful spirit of the album.
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All Writ Down — This song features intricate instrumentation and lyrical storytelling that reflect the band's commitment to folk traditions while embracing a psychedelic approach.
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The Song Has No Ending — As the title track, it serves as a sprawling exploration of themes and sounds, symbolizing the band's artistic ambition and willingness to experiment with form.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's ambitious structure and unique blend of folk and psychedelia create a distinctive sound, though its cohesion is somewhat uneven.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate unconventional instruments, such as sitar and dulcimer, which contribute to the psychedelic folk sound.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- 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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8/10
- 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
- whimsical explorations of sound
- long meditative listening experience
- intricate melodies for detail-oriented listeners
- playful storytelling with layered meanings
Maybe skip if you
- prefer quick, punchy tracks
- seek straightforward listening experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Be Glad for the Song Has No Ending' was released in 1971, The Incredible String Band had already established themselves as a unique force in British folk music. This album followed their critically acclaimed release 'U' in 1969 and marked a period of deepening their experimental sound, further pushing the boundaries of genre conventions.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Pentangle· Fairport Convention· Nick Drake
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Come With Me 3:55
- 2 All Writ Down 4:27
- 3 Veshengro 5:07
- 4 See All the People 3:41
- 5 Waiting for You 6:48
- 6 The Song Has No Ending 26:52
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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