Brujo
New Riders of the Purple Sage · 1974
34 min · 11 tracks · country rock
A vibrant blend of country rock and psychedelic influences, underscored by playful storytelling and engaging melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
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Instant Armadillo Blues — This track captures the band's whimsical spirit and showcases their signature blend of humor and musicality, making it a standout example of their style.
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Neon Rose — With its evocative imagery and emotive delivery, this song represents the band's lyrical depth and ability to craft memorable narratives within a catchy melody.
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Workingman’s Woman — This track illustrates the band's connection to everyday life and working-class themes, balanced with harmonious instrumentation that highlights their roots.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases engaging melodies and storytelling but lacks strong cohesion in its pacing and structure.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a lively track that sets a mid-tempo pace, which is maintained through the first half before slowing down in the latter part.
- Several tracks feature extended instrumental sections that blend country guitar riffs with psychedelic elements, creating a unique sound texture.
- The lyrics often employ playful storytelling, with shifts in tone from humorous to reflective, particularly evident in tracks like 'Instant Armadillo Blues' and 'Crooked Judge'.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- 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
- whimsical storytelling throughout tracks
- steady pacing for relaxed listening
- for afternoon road trips
- intricate melodies to appreciate closely
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy anthems
- prefer single track highlights
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in early 1974, Brujo is the third studio album from New Riders of the Purple Sage, following their self-titled debut and 1972's Powerglide. At this point, the band was solidifying their unique sound within the burgeoning country rock scene while exploring themes that resonated with their growing fanbase.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Flying Burrito Brothers· Gram Parsons· Little Feat
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Old Man Noll 2:44
- 2 Ashes of Love 2:14
- 3 You Angel You 2:43
- 4 Instant Armadillo Blues 2:52
- 5 Workingman’s Woman 2:44
- 6 On the Amazon 3:34
- 7 Big Wheels 3:00
- 8 Singing Cowboy 3:57
- 9 Crooked Judge 2:59
- 10 Parson Brown 3:06
- 11 Neon Rose 4:24
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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