Building the Machine
Glenn Hughes · 2001
60 min · 12 tracks · rock music
A dynamic blend of hard rock and soulful melodies that showcases Glenn Hughes' powerful vocals and instrumental prowess.
Top tracks — play these first
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Can’t Stop the Flood Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its infectious energy and powerful lyrics about resilience and overcoming challenges.
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I Just Want to Celebrate — A vibrant cover that showcases Hughes’ ability to reinterpret classic songs with fresh vigor, reflecting themes of joy and perseverance.
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Feels Like Home — This track highlights Hughes’ emotional depth, blending soulful vocals with poignant lyrics that evoke a sense of longing and belonging.
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I Will Follow You — An anthemic ballad that encapsulates Hughes' vocal range and lyrical storytelling, making it a standout moment on the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends hard rock with soulful melodies, featuring strong vocals but lacks some cohesion in pacing.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo rock sound, while the second half introduces slower ballads that shift the overall energy.
- Several tracks incorporate layered harmonies and guitar solos that build tension before resolving, particularly in the climactic moments of 'I Will Follow You' and 'Beyond the Numb'.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- 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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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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 pacing with emotional depth
- introspective moments for reflection
- uplifting anthems for celebration
- soothing melodies for evening wind-down
- consistent flow with engaging climaxes
Maybe skip if you
- prefer short, standalone tracks
- seek rapid-fire energy bursts
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified Hughes' status in rock after personal struggles.
- Career context
- Released on September 24, 2001, 'Building the Machine' marked Glenn Hughes' return as a solo artist after a period of personal struggles and artistic evolution. This album followed his collaborations with various artists, including his work in Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, highlighting a renewed focus on his solo career and vocal strengths.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Joe Bonamassa· David Coverdale· Steve Lukather
Tracklist
- 1 Can’t Stop the Flood Start here 4:12
- 2 Inside 4:53
- 3 Out on Me 5:33
- 4 I Just Want to Celebrate 3:23
- 5 Don’t Let It Slip Away 4:57
- 6 Feels Like Home 4:38
- 7 Highball Shooter 4:29
- 8 When You Fall 4:58
- 9 I Will Follow You 6:11
- 10 Beyond the Numb 7:52
- 11 Big Sky 4:38
- 12 Cosmic Spell 4:49
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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