What makes Firecracker by The Wailin' Jennys notable?

Firecracker received significant acclaim, including a Juno Award nomination for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year in 2007. The album's success helped elevate the band's profile internationally, influencing a wave of contemporary folk artists who drew inspiration from their harmonies and songwriting. Released in 2006, Firecracker was The Wailin' Jennys' third studio album, following their critically acclaimed 2004 album, Wayfarers. At this point in their career, they were solidifying their reputation within the folk music scene while showcasing a more polished sound and deeper lyrical content.

How many songs are on Firecracker?

Firecracker has 13 tracks, running approximately 51 minutes.

Released 20 years ago

Firecracker

The Wailin' Jennys · 2006

51 min · 13 tracks · folk music

A vibrant blend of harmonized vocals and acoustic instrumentation that captures the spirit of contemporary folk and bluegrass.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Devil's Paintbrush Road — This track opens the album with haunting harmonies and vivid storytelling, setting the tone for the emotional depth explored throughout Firecracker.
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Glory Bound — With its uplifting melody and poignant lyrics about hope and longing, this song showcases the group's signature vocal harmonies and thematic strength.
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Things That You Know — This track features intricate arrangements and introspective lyrics that highlight personal truths, representing the album's overarching exploration of self-discovery.
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Starlight — A standout ballad that combines lush instrumentation with heartfelt lyrics about love and connection, demonstrating the band's emotive range.
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Firecracker — The title track encapsulates the album's lively spirit and energy, embracing themes of celebration and resilience through infectious melodies.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong harmonies and varied instrumentation, creating a cohesive folk sound that resonates well.

What we noticed

Tracks often feature layered instrumentation, with acoustic guitar, banjo, and strings interweaving to create rich textures.
Several songs incorporate shifts in dynamics, such as 'Apocalypse Lullaby', which builds from a soft beginning to a powerful climax.
The final track, 'Firecracker', serves as a vibrant conclusion, encapsulating the album's themes of resilience and hope.

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

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 The Devil's Paintbrush Road 3:47
2 Glory Bound 4:24
3 Begin 3:30
4 Things That You Know 3:49
5 Swallow 4:14
6 Starlight 4:43
7 Apocalypse Lullaby 4:10
8 This Heart of Mine 4:39
9 Long Time Traveller 2:10
10 Avila 4:04
11 Some Good Thing 3:17
12 Prairie Town 5:02
13 Firecracker 3:51

What to play next

Listen next

Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House

2009

Go back to

40 Days

2004

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

bluegrass music

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata