Released 10 years ago
Believers (Deacon Blue album)
Deacon Blue · 2016
44 min · 12 tracks · alternative rock
Melodic sophistication meets lyrical introspection in a collection that balances heartfelt ballads with vibrant pop rock anthems.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Believers — As the title track, it encapsulates the album's themes of hope and resilience, offering a rousing start that sets the tone for the rest of the record.
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This Is a Love Song — This track stands out with its infectious melody and poignant lyrics that explore the complexities of love, showcasing the band's signature blend of emotional depth and catchiness.
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Gone — With its reflective tone and rich instrumentation, this song highlights the band's ability to convey vulnerability and nostalgia, marking a high point of emotional expression 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 cohesive production, balancing vibrant anthems with introspective ballads.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks establish a consistent mid-tempo feel, while the fourth track introduces a more reflective tone with its slower pace.
- Several songs feature layered vocal harmonies that create a rich texture, particularly in the choruses.
- The album closes with two tracks that gradually decrease in tempo, providing a sense of resolution and reflection.
- 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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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady flow for reflective moments
- melodic sophistication for intimate settings
- gentle close inviting contemplation
- engaging lyrics for thoughtful listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced excitement
- seek standalone hit singles
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Marks a strong return after two decades, showing continued vitality in songwriting.
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2016, Believers marked Deacon Blue's first studio album in over two decades since 1999's Homesick. At this point in their career, the band had reformed in 2011 and was reconnecting with both long-time fans and a new audience, navigating the evolving music landscape while retaining their classic sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Blue Nile· Prefab Sprout· Aztec Camera
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Believers 3:37
- 2 This Is a Love Song 4:03
- 3 I Will and I Won’t 3:47
- 4 Meteors 3:03
- 5 Gone 3:36
- 6 What I Left Out 3:18
- 7 A Boy 3:13
- 8 Birds 5:56
- 9 You Can’t Know Everything 3:38
- 10 Delivery Man 4:25
- 11 Come Awake 3:52
- 12 B Boy 1:46
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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