Currency of Man
Melody Gardot · 2015
68 min · 15 tracks · jazz
A lush blend of jazz-inflected pop, weaving emotive storytelling with rich instrumentation and Gardot's sultry vocals.
Top tracks — play these first
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Preacherman — This track stands out for its haunting narrative that discusses social issues through a personal lens, showcasing Gardot's lyrical depth and emotional delivery.
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Bad News — With its infectious rhythm and playful lyrics, this song encapsulates the album's ability to blend serious themes with an upbeat sound, highlighting Gardot’s versatility.
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Once I Was Loved — This poignant ballad captures a sense of longing and vulnerability, featuring intricate instrumentation that complements Gardot's evocative vocal performance beautifully.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and production, with a blend of jazz and pop elements that create a unique sound.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo groove, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and instrumentation.
- Gardot's vocals are often layered with harmonies, creating a rich texture that complements the instrumental arrangements.
- Several tracks incorporate spoken word elements, blending narrative storytelling with musical interludes.
- 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
- long, immersive listening sessions
- dynamic emotional journeys
- introspective evening reflections
- wave-like pacing fluctuations
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Currency of Man is Melody Gardot's third studio album, following her acclaimed 2012 release, The Absence. At this point in her career, she had firmly established herself as a distinctive voice in contemporary jazz and pop, building on the success of her previous works to explore more mature themes and complex arrangements.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Norah Jones· Diana Krall· Madeleine Peyroux
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Don’t Misunderstand 4:40
- 2 Don’t Talk 4:11
- 3 It Gonna Come 5:31
- 4 Bad News 4:57
- 5 She Don’t Know 3:55
- 6 Palmas da Rua 0:50
- 7 Same to You 4:28
- 8 No Man’s Prize 4:49
- 9 March for Mingus 1:02
- 10 Preacherman 6:16
- 11 Morning Sun 5:05
- 12 If Ever I Recall Your Face 6:51
- 13 Once I Was Loved 4:50
- 14 After the Rain 3:10
- 15 Burying My Troubles 7:45
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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