Devil Hopping cover

Devil Hopping

Inspiral Carpets · 1994

44 min · 12 tracks · alternative rock

A swirling blend of jangly guitars and whimsical melodies that captures the essence of 90s British alternative rock.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    I Want You Start here — This track opens the album with catchy hooks and a driving rhythm, setting the tone for the playful yet edgy vibe throughout.
  • →
    Saturn 5 — Its anthemic chorus and atmospheric instrumentation highlight the band's ability to blend introspection with a larger-than-life sound.
  • →
    Cobra — At just over two minutes, this short burst of energy showcases rawness and urgency, contrasting with the more melodic tracks.

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 a blend of catchy melodies and varied song structures typical of its era.

What we noticed

  • The first half of the album features upbeat tracks with jangly guitars, while the second half shifts to more introspective themes and slower tempos.
  • Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies, creating a rich texture that complements the instrumentation.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • steady mid-tempo groove
  • vibrant sing-along moments
  • for group gatherings
  • exploratory lyrical themes

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer fast-paced tracks
  • seek deep introspection

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — This album solidified their position in the Britpop movement and followed a successful predecessor.
Themes
90s British alternative· whimsical melodies· psychedelic pop landscapes
Career context
By the time 'Devil Hopping' was released in January 1994, Inspiral Carpets were riding high on the success of their previous album, 'Revenge of the Goldfish.' This album marked their fourth studio release and showcased a maturation in sound while still leaning heavily into their signature blend of psychedelia and pop.
Stylistic neighbors
The Charlatans· Happy Mondays· Oasis

Tracklist

  • 1 I Want You Start here 3:09
  • 2 Party in the Sky 3:51
  • 3 Plutoman 4:14
  • 4 Uniform 3:54
  • 5 Lovegrove 3:17
  • 6 Just Wednesday 3:43
  • 7 Saturn 5 3:59
  • 8 All of This and More 3:32
  • 9 The Way the Light Falls 4:54
  • 10 Half Way There 3:50
  • 11 Cobra 2:13
  • 12 I Don't Want to Go Blind 4:02

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata