Flat Baroque and Berserk
Roy Harper · 1970
55 min · 12 tracks · traditional folk music
A tapestry of emotive folk melodies woven with sharp social commentary and introspective lyrics.
Top tracks — play these first
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I Hate the White Man — This track stands out for its bold critique of colonialism and racism, making it a powerful statement during a time of social upheaval.
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Another Day — With its poignant lyrics and haunting melody, this song captures the essence of longing and existential reflection that permeates the album.
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Don't You Grieve — The opening track sets the tone for the album with its emotive vocals and rich instrumentation, immediately drawing listeners into Harper's world.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends emotive melodies with sharp commentary, showcasing Harper's lyrical depth and varied arrangements.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate spoken word elements, blending narrative with musical passages to emphasize social commentary.
- The lyrics often shift between personal introspection and broader societal critiques, creating a dynamic emotional landscape.
- 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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7/10
- 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
- dynamic emotional journeys
- long immersive listening sessions
- poetic introspection and reflection
- wave-like pacing and builds
Where this album fits
- Career context
- When Roy Harper released Flat Baroque and Berserk in June 1970, he was gaining recognition in the UK folk scene following his previous album, Songs of Love and Loss. This record marked a pivotal moment, showcasing his ability to blend personal narratives with broader societal critiques, further establishing him as a significant voice in British music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Nick Drake· John Martyn· Leonard Cohen
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Don't You Grieve 5:43
- 2 I Hate the White Man 8:02
- 3 Feeling All the Saturday 1:56
- 4 How Does It Feel 6:29
- 5 Goodbye 5:42
- 6 Another Day 2:57
- 7 Davey 1:30
- 8 East of the Sun 3:02
- 9 Tom Tiddler's Ground 6:48
- 10 Francesca 1:19
- 11 Song of the Ages 3:52
- 12 Hell's Angels 7:46
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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