Burning My Travels Clean
Rocky Votolato · 2002
40 min · 11 tracks · traditional folk music
An intimate collection of acoustic reflections, blending heartfelt storytelling with raw, folk-inspired melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
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Crabtree and Evelyn — This opening track sets the tone for the album with vivid imagery and a haunting melody, encapsulating Votolato's reflective style.
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Holding Onto Water — In this track, Votolato explores themes of loss and memory through poignant lyrics paired with a melodic progression that enhances its emotional weight.
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Like a Mother — The song's raw vulnerability stands out as it delves into maternal relationships, showcasing Votolato's ability to convey complex emotions with simplicity.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's intimate songwriting and cohesive flow create a reflective listening experience.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature fingerpicked guitar and soft vocals, establishing a gentle, reflective mood that persists throughout.
- Several songs incorporate layered harmonies that build gradually, adding emotional weight without overwhelming the acoustic instrumentation.
- The album closes with a track that features a more pronounced tempo shift, creating a sense of resolution after the preceding introspective pieces.
- 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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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
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 moments
- haunting melodies for quiet evenings
- introspective listening during solitude
- poetic narratives that invite contemplation
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy engagement
- prefer instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2002, Burning My Travels Clean is Rocky Votolato's second album, following his debut, The Last Days. This record marks a significant evolution in his sound as he began to refine his intimate songwriting and personal themes, positioning him as a notable voice within the indie folk scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Sufjan Stevens· Iron & Wine· Josh Ritter
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Without Eyes Still Seeing
The narrative shifts from reflection to an acknowledgment of unseen truths, challenging perceptions of reality.
This shift not only deepens the introspection but also invites listeners to consider their own interpretations of what they may overlook.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Crabtree and Evelyn 4:06
- 2 Holding Onto Water 3:47
- 3 October 3:03
- 4 Like Silver 4:03
- 5 Without Eyes Still Seeing 1:58
- 6 Don't Walk Out on Me 4:27
- 7 Treasure Chest 4:07
- 8 Swallowing Swords 2:51
- 9 Like a Mother 3:32
- 10 Deep in the Earth 4:42
- 11 I Remember Music 4:13
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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