City of Black & White
Mat Kearney · 2009
50 min · 12 tracks · rock music
A vibrant blend of heartfelt lyrics and melodic rock, weaving personal narratives with a cinematic scope.
Top tracks — play these first
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Closer to Love — This track encapsulates Kearney's signature storytelling style, combining introspective lyrics with an anthemic chorus that resonates deeply with listeners.
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Fire and Rain — With its reflective lyrics and emotional delivery, this song highlights Kearney's ability to fuse personal struggles with universal themes of hope and perseverance.
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City of Black and White — The title track merges poetic imagery with a sweeping melody, representing the album's overarching themes of duality and contrast in life experiences.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album balances energetic tracks with introspective moments, showcasing solid songwriting and production.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features upbeat tracks that maintain a consistent tempo, while the second half introduces slower ballads that create a contrast in energy.
- Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the emotional impact of the lyrics.
- The album closes with the title track, which features a gradual build-up and an expansive arrangement that gives it a cinematic feel.
- 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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5/10
- 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
- steady pacing for reflective moments
- introspective lyrics for wanderers
- narrative flow throughout the album
- melodic storytelling on long drives
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek high-energy party anthems
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified Kearney's reputation after his initial success.
- Career context
- City of Black & White is Mat Kearney's third studio album, following his breakout success with Nothing Left to Lose in 2006. By this point, Kearney had established himself as a rising star in the rock genre, building on his distinctive sound that blends pop and folk influences. The album marks a deeper exploration of personal themes and broader storytelling.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Jason Mraz· John Mayer· OneRepublic
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 All I Have 4:49
- 2 Fire and Rain 3:50
- 3 Closer to Love 3:37
- 4 Here We Go 4:14
- 5 Lifeline 4:13
- 6 New York to California 4:14
- 7 Runaway Car 4:11
- 8 Never Be Ready 3:36
- 9 Annie 3:48
- 10 Straight Away 3:50
- 11 On and On 4:01
- 12 City of Black and White 5:38
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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