Eric Burdon Declares "War" cover

Eric Burdon Declares "War"

Eric Burdon & War · 1970

42 min · 5 tracks

A vibrant fusion of rock, funk, and jazz, layered with socially conscious lyrics and Burdon's dynamic vocal delivery.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Spill the Wine — This track blends rock and funk seamlessly, featuring catchy hooks and an infectious rhythm that exemplifies the album’s innovative spirit. Its commercial success also contributed to the band's recognition.
  • →
    Tobacco Road — A sprawling reinterpretation of the classic song that showcases Burdon's powerful vocals intertwined with War's funky instrumentation, demonstrating their synergy as collaborators.
  • →
    The Vision of Rassan: Dedication / Roll On Kirk — This track serves as a tribute to jazz artist Rahsaan Roland Kirk, capturing a blend of improvisational elements and social commentary that reflects the album's thematic depth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

65 /100
Treeline
Higher than 54% of albums we've rated

The album showcases a blend of genres and experimental structures but lacks strong cohesion across its tracks.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a nearly eight-minute track that combines spoken word and instrumental sections, setting a tone of experimentation.
  • The second track features a repeated refrain interspersed with verses, creating a call-and-response dynamic.
  • The final track shifts to a slower tempo, contrasting with the more upbeat preceding songs and providing a reflective conclusion.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
6/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

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.

Tracklist

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

  • 1 The Vision of Rassan: Dedication / Roll On Kirk 7:44
  • 2 Tobacco Road: Tobacco Road / I Have a Dream / Tobacco Road 13:22
  • 3 Spill the Wine 4:55
  • 4 Blues for Memphis Slim: Birth / Mother Earth / Mr. Charlie / Danish Pastry / Mother Earth 13:23
  • 5 You're No Stranger 3:04

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata