Top tracks — play these first
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Before We Were Born — This track features lush instrumentation and introspective lyrics that reflect on nostalgia, making it emblematic of the album's thematic core.
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The Wonder of Love — With its catchy hooks and emotional depth, this song captures the essence of The dB's power pop roots while showcasing lyrical maturity.
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She Won't Drive in the Rain Anymore — This track stands out for its poignant storytelling and evocative imagery, representing a high point in songwriting throughout the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends nostalgic melodies with varied tempos but lacks a strong cohesive arc throughout.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features upbeat tracks with jangly guitars, while the second half shifts to more reflective themes and slower tempos.
- Several songs utilize layered vocal harmonies that create a rich texture, particularly in the choruses.
- The track 'Collide-oOo-Scope' incorporates unconventional song structures, deviating from standard verse-chorus forms.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- 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
- melodic harmonies with nostalgic undertones
- thoughtful reflections on love's complexities
- gentle pacing for relaxed evenings
- evocative storytelling through rich melodies
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, high-energy tracks
- want experimental or avant-garde sounds
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2012, Falling Off the Sky marked The dB's first studio album in over two decades since their 1987 release, Like This. At this point in their career, the band had reformed after a long hiatus and sought to reconnect with both their legacy and contemporary audiences. The album showcases a matured sound while retaining the power pop charm that characterized their earlier work.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Big Star· The Posies· Matthew Sweet
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 That Time Is Gone 3:32
- 2 Before We Were Born 3:48
- 3 The Wonder of Love 3:46
- 4 Write Back 3:40
- 5 Far Away and Long Ago 3:22
- 6 Send Me Something Real 4:45
- 7 World to Cry 3:30
- 8 The Adventures of Albatross and Doggerel 4:53
- 9 I Didn't Mean to Say That 3:01
- 10 Collide-oOo-Scope 5:20
- 11 She Won't Drive in the Rain Anymore 5:12
- 12 Remember (Falling Off the Sky) 3:10
What to play next
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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