What makes Fifteen by The Wailin' Jennys notable?

Fifteen received critical acclaim, debuting at number one on the Billboard Bluegrass Albums chart and earning nominations for multiple Canadian Folk Music Awards. The album's rich harmonies and heartfelt themes resonated with both fans and critics, reinforcing the group's reputation for delivering emotionally compelling music. Released in 2017, Fifteen marked The Wailin' Jennys' fifth studio album, showcasing their continued evolution after a six-year hiatus since their previous release, Bright Morning Stars. This album solidified their status as prominent figures in contemporary folk and bluegrass music, following a period of extensive touring and collaboration.

How many songs are on Fifteen?

Fifteen has 9 tracks, running approximately 34 minutes.

Fifteen

The Wailin' Jennys · 2017

34 min · 9 tracks · folk music

An intricate weave of harmonies and acoustic instrumentation that captures the essence of folk storytelling.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Old Churchyard — The opening track sets a reflective tone with its haunting melodies and poignant lyrics about loss, establishing the album's emotional depth.
→
Wildflowers — This song highlights the band's signature harmonies while exploring themes of resilience and growth, making it an uplifting centerpiece on the album.
→
Boulder to Birmingham — A cover of the classic song that showcases the group's ability to reinterpret beloved material with their unique style, enhancing its emotional weight.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album features intricate harmonies and folk instrumentation, creating a cohesive listening experience.

What we noticed

The album opens with a slow, reflective track that sets a contemplative tone, followed by a series of mid-tempo songs that maintain this mood.
Harmonies are layered throughout, often featuring three-part vocal arrangements that create a rich texture.
Several tracks incorporate traditional folk instrumentation, such as banjo and mandolin, which enhances the storytelling aspect of the lyrics.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

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 Old Churchyard 3:15
2 Wildflowers 3:42
3 The Valley 5:48
4 Light of a Clear Blue Morning 4:27
5 Loves Me Like a Rock 2:26
6 Boulder to Birmingham 3:20
7 Not Alone 4:39
8 Keep Me in Your Heart 3:37
9 Weary Blues From Waitin’ 3:13

What to play next

Go back to

Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House

2009

Full The Wailin' Jennys discography Artists like The Wailin' Jennys

bluegrass music

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata