Cruel and Gentle Things
Charlie Sexton · 2005
43 min · 10 tracks · blues
A blend of blues rock with introspective lyrics and a soulful yet gritty vocal delivery that captures life's complexities.
Top tracks — play these first
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Cruel and Gentle Things — The title track encapsulates the album's duality with haunting melodies that juxtapose tenderness against life's harsher realities.
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Gospel — This track opens the album with a powerful invocation of spiritual themes, setting a reflective tone that resonates throughout.
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Just Like Love — Through its rich instrumentation and poignant lyrics, this song exemplifies Sexton's ability to weave personal narratives into universal themes.
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Bring It Home Again — An exploration of longing and nostalgia, this track showcases Sexton's lyrical prowess alongside evocative melodies that linger.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines blues and rock elements with introspective lyrics, showcasing solid craftsmanship but lacking broader impact.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a slow, soulful track that sets a reflective tone, followed by a mid-tempo song that introduces a more upbeat feel.
- Several tracks feature layered guitar solos that intertwine with the vocal lines, creating a rich texture throughout.
- The lyrics often explore themes of love and loss, with a conversational delivery that invites listener engagement.
- 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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6/10
- 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
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
- reflective storytelling with depth
- emotional resonance in vulnerability
- for evening introspection
- steady pacing with lyrical focus
- moments of quiet resilience
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy tracks
- prefer instant gratification songs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2005, Cruel and Gentle Things marked Charlie Sexton's return to the studio after a lengthy hiatus, following his 1999 album, Under the Wishing Tree. At this point in his career, Sexton was transitioning from his earlier mainstream success towards a more personal artistic expression, showcasing his evolution as a songwriter and musician.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Jonny Lang· Joe Bonamassa· Gary Clark Jr.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Gospel 4:38
- 2 Burn 4:14
- 3 I Do the Same for You 3:51
- 4 Cruel and Gentle Things 3:18
- 5 Bring It Home Again 5:15
- 6 Once in a While 3:02
- 7 Just Like Love 5:19
- 8 Regular Grind 4:28
- 9 Dillingham Lane 4:51
- 10 It Don't Take Long 4:33
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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