Released 10 years ago
Dodgy Bastards
Steeleye Span · 2016
72 min · 12 tracks · folk rock
A vibrant blend of traditional folk melodies and contemporary arrangements, evoking the rich storytelling of British folklore.
Top tracks — play these first
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Cruel Brother — This track opens the album with haunting harmonies and intricate instrumentation, illustrating the group's mastery of blending narrative and melody.
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Boys of Bedlam — With its lively tempo and catchy chorus, this rendition brings a playful energy to a classic tale of madness and mischief, showcasing Steeleye Span's dynamic approach.
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Cromwell’s Skull — This track stands out for its darker themes and historical context, using vivid imagery to reflect on Oliver Cromwell's legacy and its impact on British history.
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Dodgy Bastards — The title track encapsulates the album's essence with witty lyrics and a spirited arrangement, serving as a commentary on contemporary issues through a folkloric lens.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends traditional and contemporary folk elements, maintaining strong narratives and varied tempos.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a traditional folk ballad, setting a narrative tone that persists throughout the first half.
- Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies that intertwine with acoustic instrumentation, creating a rich texture.
- The tempo varies significantly between tracks, with some maintaining a lively pace while others slow down for storytelling.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- 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
- dynamic narrative progression throughout
- engaging storytelling in every track
- wave-like pacing with contrasts
- reflective moments for quiet listening
- vibrant arrangements for active engagement
Maybe skip if you
- seek instant gratification tracks
- prefer standalone singles experience
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2016, 'Dodgy Bastards' marks Steeleye Span's first studio album in over a decade, following their 2006 release 'Bloody Men'. At this point in their career, the band was celebrating nearly five decades of music-making while continuing to innovate within the folk rock genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Fairport Convention· Pentangle· The Albion Band
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Cruel Brother 7:54
- 2 All Things Are Quite Silent 4:18
- 3 Johnnie Armstrong 7:13
- 4 Boys of Bedlam 5:25
- 5 Brown Robin’s Confession 5:49
- 6 Two Sisters 5:55
- 7 Cromwell’s Skull 8:33
- 8 Dodgy Bastards 3:06
- 9 Gulliver Gentle and Rosemary 4:46
- 10 The Gardener 5:09
- 11 Bad Bones 4:13
- 12 The Lofty Tall Ship / Shallow Brown 10:01
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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