Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Mutt Romney Blues — This track serves as a biting satire of Mitt Romney, using humor and irony to highlight perceived elitism in politics while maintaining a catchy blues melody.
-
→
Guantanamo — Cooder tackles the controversial detention facility head-on, blending personal narrative with broader themes of justice and human rights, making it a compelling call for reflection.
-
→
The Wall Street Part of Town — Through vivid imagery and storytelling, this song critiques economic inequality and corporate greed, illustrating Cooder's ability to merge personal stories with pressing societal issues.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Cooder's sharp commentary and varied pacing create an engaging but uneven experience.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate call-and-response elements, engaging the listener in a conversational style.
- The pacing varies significantly; tracks like 'Mutt Romney Blues' are upbeat and satirical, while others like 'Cold Cold Feelings' slow down for reflection.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
6/10
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
- mid-tempo flow for reflection
- sharp wit and storytelling
- thought-provoking political commentary
- engaging narratives throughout tracks
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy anthems
- prefer standalone singles
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2012, Election Special is Ry Cooder's first album since 2008's I, Flathead, showcasing his continued evolution as a socially conscious songwriter. At this point in his career, Cooder had shifted focus from instrumental work to addressing political themes directly through his lyrics.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Leonard Cohen· John Prine· David Lindley
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Mutt Romney Blues 3:45
- 2 Brother is Gone 5:03
- 3 The Wall Street Part of Town 3:42
- 4 Guantanamo 3:28
- 5 Cold Cold Feelings 5:25
- 6 Going to Tampa 3:57
- 7 Kool-Aid 4:10
- 8 The 90 and the 9 5:15
- 9 Take Your Hands Off It 3:47
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.