Breaking the Rules
Walter Trout · 1995
53 min · 11 tracks · blues
Blues-infused rock intertwines with soulful guitar solos and reflective lyrics, creating a cathartic journey of self-discovery.
Top tracks — play these first
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To Begin Again Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Breaking the Rules — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of defiance and liberation, featuring powerful guitar riffs that highlight Trout's skill while conveying a sense of rebellion against constraints.
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Under My Skin — This track showcases Trout's emotional depth, blending poignant lyrics with an infectious groove that demonstrates his ability to meld personal reflection with compelling musicality.
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I Don't Wanna Be Lonely — With its heartfelt lyrics and soulful delivery, this song captures the essence of longing and connection, further cementing Trout's prowess in expressing vulnerability through music.
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 guitar work but has some uneven pacing.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate a call-and-response dynamic between vocals and guitar, enhancing the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- The pacing varies significantly, with some tracks maintaining a steady mid-tempo while others shift to slower ballads, creating a sense of ebb and flow.
- 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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7/10
- 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
- steady mid-tempo reflective journey
- heartfelt introspection with grit
- electrifying guitar-driven moments
- for late-night contemplation
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- avoid lengthy, cohesive pieces
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Showcased Trout's songwriting and guitar skills, increasing his visibility in the blues genre.
- Themes
- personal rebellion· soulful longing· blues-infused defiance
- Career context
- Released in 1995, Breaking the Rules was Walter Trout's third studio album, following his successful 1993 release, Live Trout. At this point in his career, Trout was establishing himself as a prominent figure in the blues rock scene after years of backing other musicians, including John Lee Hooker and Canned Heat.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Joe Bonamassa· Gary Clark Jr.· Keb' Mo'
Tracklist
- 1 To Begin Again Start here 4:53
- 2 How Much Do You Want 4:37
- 3 Under My Skin 4:12
- 4 Like a Stranger 5:08
- 5 Surrounded by Eden 5:55
- 6 Breaking the Rules 4:10
- 7 The Reason I'm Gone 6:21
- 8 I Don't Wanna Be Lonely 4:31
- 9 Put It Right Back 6:03
- 10 Lady Lucky 3:30
- 11 Watch Her Dance 4:00
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Blues of Desperation
Joe Bonamassa
Shares a similar blend of soulful guitar work and introspective lyrics about personal struggle.
Blak and Blu
Gary Clark Jr.
Combines blues rock with heartfelt storytelling, embodying defiance and emotional depth.
Just like You
Keb' Mo'
Features reflective lyrics and a bluesy sound that captures the essence of self-discovery and resilience.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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