Born on the Wrong Planet
The String Cheese Incident · 1997
60 min · 12 tracks · bluegrass music
A vibrant fusion of bluegrass, rock, and improvisation that embodies a free-spirited, adventurous ethos.
Top tracks — play these first
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Black Clouds — The opening track sets a contemplative tone with its reflective lyrics and intricate musicianship, establishing the album's thematic depth.
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Born on the Wrong Planet — This title track encapsulates the band's whimsical spirit while merging catchy melodies with profound lyrics about belonging and identity.
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Resume Man — With its playful narrative and engaging rhythm, this song highlights the band's unique ability to blend storytelling with infectious grooves.
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Jellyfish — The song showcases elaborate instrumentation and improvisational flair, becoming a fan favorite for its lively arrangement and joyous vibe.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong compositions and skilled performances, characteristic of the late '90s jam band scene.
What we noticed
- The album features extended instrumental sections that allow for improvisation, typical of the jam band style.
- Several tracks incorporate tempo shifts, moving from upbeat bluegrass rhythms to slower, more reflective passages.
- The use of multiple vocalists creates a dynamic interplay, with harmonies and call-and-response patterns throughout the record.
- 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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7/10
- 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
Significant within its genre. 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
- dynamic emotional journeys
- long, immersive listening sessions
- gradual builds and payoffs
- wave-like pacing
- vibrant sonic landscapes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Born on the Wrong Planet marked The String Cheese Incident's third studio album and solidified their position in the late '90s jam band scene. Following their self-titled debut and 1996's Here for the Music, this album showcased their growing prowess in blending genres and live performance energy, contributing to their rise in popularity.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Umphrey's McGee· Yonder Mountain String Band· Greensky Bluegrass
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Black Clouds 4:23
- 2 Born on the Wrong Planet 4:57
- 3 Lands End 5:19
- 4 The Remington Ride 4:10
- 5 Resume Man 3:46
- 6 Elvis’ Wild Ride 4:29
- 7 Bigger Isn’t Better 6:32
- 8 Johnny Cash 6:06
- 9 Lester Had a Coconut 4:25
- 10 Diggin’ In 2:34
- 11 Texas 8:46
- 12 Jellyfish 5:25
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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