Citizen John
The Black Sorrows · 2019
45 min · 12 tracks · blues
A vibrant blend of blues and rock, infused with storytelling that captures the essence of Australian life.
Top tracks — play these first
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Wednesday's Child — This opening track sets the tone with a catchy melody and vivid storytelling that reflects the album's overarching themes of longing and resilience.
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Brother Moses Sister Mae — A standout track that combines soulful instrumentation with heartfelt lyrics, showcasing the band's ability to weave personal narratives into broader social commentary.
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Citizen John — The title track encapsulates the essence of the album, blending reflective lyrics with a lively rhythm that invites listeners to engage in its message.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends storytelling with strong musicianship, creating an engaging experience that resonates with its themes.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of call-and-response vocal patterns, particularly in tracks like 'Brother Moses Sister Mae' and 'Storm the Bastille'.
- 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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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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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
- vibrant storytelling of everyday life
- short bursts of reflective energy
- easy-going tunes for gatherings
- catchy melodies for sing-alongs
Maybe skip if you
- prefer lengthy, immersive albums
- want heavy, complex arrangements
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in early 2019, Citizen John marks The Black Sorrows' continued evolution, following their previous album, 2018's Still Magic. This release showcases the band's longstanding commitment to blending rootsy blues with contemporary sensibilities, as they celebrate over three decades in the music industry.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Teskey Brothers· Joe Cocker· Keb' Mo'
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Wednesday's Child 3:23
- 2 Brother Moses Sister Mae 3:48
- 3 Lazy Slide Guitar 4:07
- 4 Way Below the Heavens 3:46
- 5 Worlds Away 4:09
- 6 Wild Times 4:06
- 7 Messiah 3:48
- 8 Storm the Bastille 4:18
- 9 Play It Sentimental 2:53
- 10 Citizen John 3:44
- 11 Silvio 3:25
- 12 Lover I Surrender 3:55
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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