Released 24 years ago this October
Everybody Makes Mistakes
Shearwater · 2002
36 min · 12 tracks · folk music
Haunting melodies intertwine with introspective lyrics, creating a tapestry of emotional vulnerability and delicate folk instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
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Room for Mistakes — The track encapsulates the album's central theme of introspection and acceptance of flaws through its contemplative lyrics and soothing melodies.
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Mistakes — A brief yet poignant reflection, this song distills the essence of regret and learning from errors, showcasing Meiburg's lyrical prowess.
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The Ice Covered Everything — This track stands out with its evocative imagery and haunting arrangement, representing the somber emotional landscape that permeates the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong melodies and introspective lyrics but lacks some cohesion in its later tracks.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature layered instrumentation that builds gradually, creating a sense of anticipation before the tempo shifts in track four.
- Several songs employ a call-and-response vocal style, allowing for dynamic interplay between the lead and backing vocals.
- The final two tracks are extended pieces that incorporate ambient sounds, diverging from the more structured earlier songs.
- 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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5/10
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
- steady, consistent energy levels
- late-night contemplative moods
- short, immersive listening sessions
- dynamic emotional journeys
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2002, Everybody Makes Mistakes was Shearwater's debut album following their formation from the ashes of Okkervil River. At this point, frontman Jonathan Meiburg was beginning to establish his distinctive voice in the indie folk scene, setting the tone for the band's future explorations.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Sufjan Stevens· The National· Iron & Wine
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 An Accident 2:31
- 2 Well, Benjamin 3:15
- 3 Soon 2:33
- 4 Room for Mistakes 4:30
- 5 12:09 3:25
- 6 Mistakes 2:17
- 7 The Ice Covered Everything 3:20
- 8 You Took Your Mistakes Too Hard 1:48
- 9 Wreck 3:13
- 10 Safeway 3:40
- 11 All the Black Days 1 1:22
- 12 All the Black Days 2 4:23
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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