What makes Coming Up for Air by Davy Knowles notable?

This album received significant attention for its blend of blues rock and heartfelt songwriting, landing on the Billboard Blues chart. Critics noted Knowles' growth as an artist, showcasing his guitar prowess and lyrical depth, which contributed to his rising status in the music scene. Released in 2009, Coming Up for Air marked Davy Knowles' first album after his tenure with Back Door Slam, highlighting a transition to a solo career. At this point, he was solidifying his identity as a prominent figure in the blues rock genre, following the critical acclaim of his earlier projects.

How many songs are on Coming Up for Air?

Coming Up for Air has 11 tracks, running approximately 48 minutes.

Coming Up for Air

Davy Knowles · 2009

48 min · 11 tracks · blues rock

Bluesy guitar riffs intertwine with heartfelt lyrics, creating a sound that's both introspective and evocative of personal struggle.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Coming Up for Air — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of renewal and resilience through dynamic guitar work and emotive vocals, setting the tone for the record.
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Riverbed — With its intricate guitar melodies and reflective lyrics about navigating life's challenges, this track showcases Knowles' storytelling ability and musical craftsmanship.
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Tear Down the Walls — This song stands out for its powerful message of breaking free from constraints, paired with a driving rhythm that highlights Knowles' blues-rock roots.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong songwriting and guitar work but lacks a cohesive flow throughout its runtime.

What we noticed

The first three tracks feature prominent guitar solos that establish a blues rock sound, while the fourth track shifts to a more subdued piano arrangement.
Several songs incorporate call-and-response vocal patterns, enhancing the emotional delivery of the lyrics.
The album closes with a track that features an extended instrumental outro, allowing the music to linger after the final lyrics.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 3/10

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Coming Up for Air 4:38
2 Riverbed 3:40
3 Mistakes 4:17
4 Hear Me Lord 6:05
5 Amber's Song 3:14
6 Tear Down the Walls 5:03
7 You Can't Take This Back 4:54
8 Country Girl 4:30
9 Keep on Searching 5:09
10 Saving Myself 3:13
11 Taste of Danger 4:09

What to play next

Full Davy Knowles discography Artists like Davy Knowles

blues rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata