Released 10 years ago
Empire Builder
Laura Gibson · 2016
40 min · 10 tracks · alternative country
A haunting blend of folk-inspired melodies and poignant storytelling, revealing the delicate intricacies of human connections.
Top tracks — play these first
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Empire Builder — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of journey and introspection through vivid imagery and a sweeping arrangement that highlights Gibson's vocal prowess.
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Damn Sure — This song stands out for its raw honesty as Gibson confronts feelings of uncertainty and strength, with a memorable chorus that lingers long after listening.
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Two Kids — With its reflective narrative about childhood memories and innocence lost, this track showcases Gibson's ability to weave personal storytelling with broader themes.
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 emotional depth but follows familiar structures within its genre.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features a consistent use of fingerpicked guitar patterns, while the second half introduces more layered instrumentation.
- Several tracks utilize a call-and-response vocal style, enhancing the storytelling aspect of the lyrics.
- The album's closing track fades out slowly, leaving an echoing sense of unresolved emotion.
- 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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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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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
- intimate storytelling through song
- reflective moments for quiet thinking
- gentle pacing for relaxed listening
- evocative narratives of personal journeys
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of high-energy tracks
- prefer standalone upbeat singles
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Empire Builder is Laura Gibson's fourth studio album, following her 2012 release, La Grande. At this point in her career, she had established herself within the alternative country and folk scene, gaining recognition for her lyrical depth and emotive vocal style. This album marks a significant evolution in her sound, incorporating richer arrangements and more complex themes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Margaret Glaspy· Phoebe Bridgers· Neko Case
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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The Cause
The narrative voice grapples with the weight of past relationships, offering a retrospective view on choices made.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Cause 4:20
- 2 Damn Sure 4:08
- 3 Not Harmless 3:13
- 4 Empire Builder 5:16
- 5 Five and Thirty 4:44
- 6 The Search for Dark Lake 3:28
- 7 Two Kids 3:19
- 8 Louis 3:02
- 9 Caldera, Oregon 4:11
- 10 The Last One 4:29
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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