Earth cover

Earth

Ed O'Brien · 2020

46 min · 9 tracks · alternative rock

A sonic tapestry where ambient textures intertwine with reflective lyrics and expansive soundscapes, creating an immersive listening experience.

Top tracks — play these first

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    Shangri-La — This opening track sets the tone for the entire album with its expansive soundscapes and contemplative lyrics about seeking solace and connection.
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    Brasil — With its rhythmic pulse and vibrant instrumentation, this track reflects O'Brien's ability to fuse diverse influences while addressing themes of environmentalism and hope.
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    Banksters — Through sharp social commentary wrapped in an engaging melody, this track critiques economic disparities, showcasing O'Brien's lyrical prowess alongside his musicality.
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    Cloak of the Night — This introspective piece captures an emotional vulnerability, illustrating O'Brien's exploration of personal themes against a backdrop of haunting melodies.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

64 /100
Treeline
Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album blends ambient textures with reflective lyrics, showcasing O'Brien's distinct voice while maintaining cohesive soundscapes.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a gradual build-up in 'Shangri-La', layering ambient sounds before introducing vocals, setting a reflective tone.
  • Tracks like 'Brasil' and 'Banksters' feature rhythmic shifts that create a sense of movement, contrasting with the more atmospheric pieces.
  • Several tracks incorporate extended instrumental sections, allowing the soundscapes to evolve and breathe, particularly evident in 'Cloak of the Night'.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

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.

Tracklist

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

  • 1 Shangri-La 5:47
  • 2 Brasil 8:27
  • 3 Deep Days 4:59
  • 4 Long Time Coming 2:50
  • 5 Mass 4:10
  • 6 Banksters 5:08
  • 7 Sail On 3:27
  • 8 Olympik 8:38
  • 9 Cloak of the Night 2:33

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata