Coat of Arms
Wishbone Ash · 2020
58 min · 11 tracks · hard rock
A blend of intricate guitar harmonies and reflective lyrics, embodying the enduring spirit of classic hard rock.
Top tracks — play these first
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Coat of Arms — The title track serves as a powerful centerpiece, capturing the essence of the album with its soaring melodies and introspective themes that resonate with personal and collective identity.
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We Stand as One Start here — This opening track sets the tone for unity and resilience, featuring upbeat rhythms paired with lyrical optimism that invites listeners into the album's overarching message.
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It’s Only You I See — With its emotive guitar solos and heartfelt delivery, this track exemplifies the band's skill in melding romantic themes with their signature sound, 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 classic hard rock elements with reflective lyrics, maintaining a distinct sound while exploring new themes.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate tempo shifts, with 'Floreana' transitioning from a slow build to an energetic climax.
- Lyrically, the album explores themes of unity and reflection, with verses often structured around personal narratives.
- 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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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
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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 journey
- melodic guitar harmonies exploration
- introspective lyrics for contemplation
- for evening relaxation
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced excitement
- seek quick, standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Revitalizes sound and honors legacy, showcasing continued vitality in later career.
- Themes
- personal identity· collective resilience· reflective nostalgia
- Moods
- Introspective· Chill
- Career context
- Released in 2020, Coat of Arms marks Wishbone Ash's first studio album since 2014's Blue Horizon. At this point in their career, the band aimed to revitalize their sound while honoring their rich legacy, showcasing a blend of new material with familiar stylistic elements.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Thin Lizzy· UFO· Blue Öyster Cult
Tracklist
- 1 We Stand as One Start here 4:15
- 2 Coat of Arms 7:55
- 3 Empty Man 5:16
- 4 Floreana 5:14
- 5 Drive 4:55
- 6 It’s Only You I See 7:35
- 7 Too Cool for AC 4:50
- 8 Back in the Day 4:46
- 9 Deja Vu 4:07
- 10 When the Love Is Shared 4:21
- 11 Personal Halloween 5:37
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Feral Roots
Rival Sons
Combines intricate guitar work and themes of resilience and personal struggle in a modern hard rock context.
Amorica
The Black Crowes
Shares reflective nostalgia and rich guitar harmonies, echoing rock's spirit with a contemporary twist.
Walk the Sky
Alter Bridge
Features dynamic guitar interplay and introspective lyrics about identity and overcoming challenges.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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