What makes Bottoms of Barrels by Tilly and the Wall notable?

This album garnered positive reviews from multiple outlets, including Pitchfork, which praised its inventive approach to instrumentation and lyrical depth. It helped cement Tilly and the Wall's position within the indie pop scene, influencing emerging artists who sought to blend unconventional sounds into their work. Bottoms of Barrels is Tilly and the Wall's third studio album, released in 2006 after their critically acclaimed debut, Wild Like Children. At this point in their career, they were solidifying their distinctive sound characterized by tap dancing as a rhythmic instrument, further exploring themes of love and personal growth.

How many songs are on Bottoms of Barrels?

Bottoms of Barrels has 11 tracks, running approximately 44 minutes.

Released 20 years ago

Bottoms of Barrels

Tilly and the Wall · 2006

44 min · 11 tracks · indie pop

Joyful melodies interweave with intricate rhythms, showcasing a unique blend of indie pop and percussive elements.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Patience, Babe — Opening with an infectious energy, this track sets the tone for the album with its catchy chorus and playful lyrics about waiting for love to unfold.
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Bad Education — This song highlights the band's ability to intertwine personal introspection with broader social commentary, showcasing their lyrical sophistication and melodic creativity.
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Love Song — A standout moment on the album, this track captures the essence of youthful romance through its earnest lyrics and spirited arrangement, resonating with listeners seeking authenticity.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album blends unique percussion with engaging melodies and thoughtful lyrics, marking it as a strong entry in indie pop.

What we noticed

The album features a prominent use of tap dancing as a percussive element, which is integrated into the instrumentation throughout.
Tracks often shift between upbeat tempos and more reflective moments, with several songs incorporating layered vocal harmonies.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

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 Patience, Babe 2:49
2 Sing Songs Along 3:43
3 Black and Blue 3:41
4 Lost Girls 4:11
5 Urgency 2:56
6 Bad Education 4:31
7 The Freest Man 4:34
8 Rainbows in the Dark 4:20
9 Love Song 3:06
10 Coughing Colors 6:22
11 Brave Day 4:17

What to play next

Listen next

o

2008

Go back to

Wild Like Children

2004

Full Tilly and the Wall discography Artists like Tilly and the Wall

indie pop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata