Released 20 years ago
Bring Me the Workhorse
My Brightest Diamond · 2006
46 min · 11 tracks · indie rock
A kaleidoscopic blend of orchestral indie rock and art pop that weaves intricate melodies with lush arrangements.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Golden Star — This track stands out for its infectious melody and vibrant instrumentation, encapsulating the album's whimsical yet poignant spirit.
-
→
Dragonfly — With its haunting vocals and layered harmonies, this song exemplifies Worden's talent for blending emotional depth with striking musicality.
-
→
The Good & The Bad Guy — This track showcases a dynamic shift between ethereal verses and powerful choruses, highlighting the album's thematic exploration of duality.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate melodies and lush arrangements, establishing a distinct sound within indie rock.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a slow, atmospheric track that gradually builds in intensity, leading into more upbeat songs like 'Golden Star' and 'Freak Out'.
- Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies and orchestral instrumentation, creating a rich soundscape that contrasts with the more stripped-down moments.
- The last three tracks shift towards a more introspective tone, with 'The Good & The Bad Guy' ending on a reflective note.
- 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
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
- kaleidoscopic melodies that surprise
- artful arrangements for focused listening
- emotional explorations of introspection
- playful energy with whimsical themes
- dynamic shifts in pacing
Maybe skip if you
- seeking straightforward, catchy tunes
- prefer instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- When My Brightest Diamond released Bring Me the Workhorse in 2006, it marked her debut album following her tenure as a member of Sufjan Stevens' touring band. This release positioned Shara Worden, the artist behind the project, as a prominent figure in the indie music scene, showcasing her unique voice and compositional skills.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Sufjan Stevens· Bat for Lashes· St. Vincent
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Something of an End 4:51
- 2 Golden Star 2:55
- 3 Gone Away 4:42
- 4 Dragonfly 5:24
- 5 Freak Out 3:33
- 6 We Were Sparkling 2:43
- 7 Disappear 4:04
- 8 The Robin's Jar 3:20
- 9 Magic Rabbit 5:25
- 10 The Good & The Bad Guy 4:16
- 11 Workhorse 4:43
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.