Field Songs
William Elliott Whitmore · 2011
34 min · 8 tracks · blues
Raw vocals and acoustic instrumentation weave together tales of struggle and resilience in a hauntingly intimate folk landscape.
Top tracks — play these first
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Bury Your Burdens in the Ground — This opening track sets the tone with its introspective lyrics urging listeners to confront their struggles, layered over a driving acoustic rhythm that captures Whitmore's raw energy.
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Everything Gets Done — With its reflective lyrics and melodic simplicity, this song encapsulates the album's themes of perseverance and acceptance, resonating deeply with the listener's personal journey.
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Not Feeling Any Pain — This closing track stands out for its somber yet hopeful narrative, blending poignant imagery with an emotive vocal delivery that lingers long after the final note.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's raw sound and poignant storytelling create a strong emotional connection, making it rewarding on repeated listens.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of acoustic guitar and banjo, creating a raw, stripped-down sound that emphasizes the storytelling.
- Each track typically follows a verse-chorus structure, with lyrics that reflect themes of struggle and resilience.
- Whitmore's vocal delivery is often unpolished and emotive, contributing to the intimate atmosphere of the record.
- 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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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
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
- reflective moments of rural life
- short bursts of heartfelt storytelling
- cathartic expression of burdens
- uplifting anthems for perseverance
Maybe skip if you
- seeking fast-paced instant gratification
- prefer polished, studio sound
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By 2011, William Elliott Whitmore had already established himself within the alternative country and folk scenes, releasing 'Field Songs' as his fourth studio album. This album followed his previous release, 'Animals in the Dark' (2009), showcasing a continued evolution in lyrical depth and musicality.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Jason Isbell· Sturgill Simpson· Lucinda Williams
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Let's Do Something Impossible
The verse reveals a shift from despair to determination, articulating a desire to break free from life's constraints through vivid metaphors.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Bury Your Burdens in the Ground 5:13
- 2 Field Song 3:43
- 3 Don't Need It 3:33
- 4 Everything Gets Done 4:15
- 5 Let's Do Something Impossible 3:20
- 6 Get There from Here 3:56
- 7 We'll Carry On 4:03
- 8 Not Feeling Any Pain 6:02
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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