But This Chicken Proved Falsehearted
Sam Amidon · 2007
41 min · 13 tracks · traditional folk music
Traditional folk melodies intertwine with Amidon’s delicate vocals, creating a haunting yet intimate listening experience.
Top tracks — play these first
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Falsehearted Chicken — The opening track sets the tone for the album with its playful yet melancholic interpretation of a traditional song, showcasing Amidon's vocal prowess and arrangement style.
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Another Man Done Gone — This track exemplifies Amidon's ability to connect deeply with the listener through its stark arrangement and emotive delivery, highlighting themes of loss and longing.
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Roll on John — An evocative rendition of a classic folk tune, this track stands out for its haunting atmosphere and Amidon's poignant storytelling that resonates throughout the narrative.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album revitalizes folk traditions with unique arrangements and intimate vocals, though its interludes disrupt cohesion.
What we noticed
- The album features several interludes that break up the flow of traditional songs, creating a reflective pause between tracks.
- Amidon's vocals are often layered with sparse instrumentation, allowing the melodies to take center stage while maintaining an intimate atmosphere.
- The arrangements frequently incorporate unconventional elements, such as subtle shifts in tempo and dynamics, which enhance the emotional impact of the songs.
- 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
- haunting melodies for quiet moments
- intimate storytelling through delicate vocals
- interludes that invite contemplation
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced music
- seek high-energy party tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2007, But This Chicken Proved Falsehearted is Sam Amidon's second album, following his 2006 debut, which introduced his unique approach to traditional American songs. At this stage in his career, Amidon was beginning to gain recognition for his distinctive interpretations of folk music, blending contemporary sensibilities with age-old narratives.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Nick Drake· Sufjan Stevens· Iron & Wine
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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True Born Sons of Levi
The shift from introspection to communal acknowledgment in the chorus creates a powerful contrast within the song's narrative structure.
This transition highlights Amidon's skill in weaving personal reflection into broader societal themes, enhancing the song's impact.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Falsehearted Chicken 5:05
- 2 True Born Sons of Levi 4:00
- 3 Interlude 0:50
- 4 Head Over Heels 3:11
- 5 1842 5:01
- 6 Interlude 0:34
- 7 Another Man Done Gone 2:35
- 8 Louis Collins 4:47
- 9 Interlude 0:49
- 10 Roll on John 2:54
- 11 Rocky Island 2:48
- 12 Tribulation 5:58
- 13 Oh Where 3:00
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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