Top tracks — play these first
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Boulevard of Broken Dreams Start here — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of heartache and yearning, showcasing Smokie's knack for poignant storytelling wrapped in an engaging melody.
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Falling Apart — This track stands out with its emotional depth, reflecting vulnerability and personal struggle through its heartfelt lyrics and dynamic instrumentation.
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Love Take Me Away (Sleeping Beauty) — Blending romantic imagery with evocative melodies, this song highlights Smokie's ability to create an atmospheric experience that transports listeners into a dreamlike state.
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Northern Soul — A tribute to the Northern Soul movement, this track showcases Smokie's versatility while connecting them to a significant cultural phenomenon within British music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong melodies and emotional narratives but lacks standout compositions that elevate it significantly.
What we noticed
- The album opens with the title track, which features a prominent guitar riff and layered harmonies that set a melodic tone.
- Several tracks, such as 'Falling Apart' and 'Sometimes You Cry', utilize emotional narratives in their lyrics, enhancing the overall thematic cohesion.
- The tempo varies throughout, with mid-tempo tracks dominating but punctuated by slower ballads like 'Love Take Me Away (Sleeping Beauty)'.
- The final track, 'Northern Soul', concludes the album with a reflective tone, creating a sense of closure.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- 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 mid-tempo reflective vibes
- an anthem for nostalgic moments
- uplifting melodies for sunny days
- for evening drives
- thoughtful background for conversations
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of high-energy tracks
- prefer instant gratification hits
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album included significant chart hits, enhancing the band's recognition.
- Themes
- nostalgic resilience· personal triumph
- Career context
- By the time 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams' was released in 1989, Smokie had already established themselves as a prominent band in the UK music scene, with multiple chart-topping hits from previous albums. This record followed their successful release 'It's Your Life' in 1988, representing a period of continued popularity as they adapted to the evolving musical landscape of the late '80s.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Bay City Rollers· Mud· Status Quo
Tracklist
- 1 Boulevard of Broken Dreams Start here 4:30
- 2 Falling Apart 4:14
- 3 Think About the Night 3:55
- 4 Sometimes You Cry 3:44
- 5 Love Take Me Away (Sleeping Beauty) 4:05
- 6 Moving Mountains 4:23
- 7 Young Hearts 4:18
- 8 Stop Rewind 3:28
- 9 Angelina 3:46
- 10 Northern Soul 4:15
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Slippery When Wet
Bon Jovi
Shares anthemic melodies and themes of resilience amid personal struggle.
Escape
Journey
Combines uplifting rock anthems with reflective lyrics about hope and personal journeys.
Hysteria
Def Leppard
Offers polished pop rock soundscapes with themes of nostalgia and emotional triumph.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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