Give It All Away cover

Give It All Away

Ben Jelen · 2004

51 min · 12 tracks · pop music

An eclectic blend of emotive pop melodies layered with rich instrumentation and introspective lyrics.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Give It All Away — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of vulnerability and self-discovery, featuring a powerful vocal delivery that resonates with listeners.
  • →
    Come On — This opening track sets an energetic tone for the album, showcasing Jelen's catchy hooks and dynamic instrumentation that immediately draws the listener in.
  • →
    Criminal — With its darker undertones and complex emotions, this track demonstrates Jelen's ability to tackle more serious subjects while maintaining compelling melodies.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

46 /100
Foothills
Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album features solid songwriting and production but lacks a strong identity within the pop genre.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with an upbeat track, followed by a series of mid-tempo songs that maintain a consistent energy level for the first half.
  • Several tracks feature layered instrumentation, including strings and piano, which create a rich soundscape that supports the emotive melodies.
  • The lyrics often reflect introspection and personal experiences, with recurring themes of longing and self-discovery across multiple tracks.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
5/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. 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.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Falling Down

    A pivotal moment where the perspective shifts from first person to a reflective third person, capturing a sense of introspection.

    This shift creates a distance that enhances the emotional weight of the lyrics, allowing for deeper contemplation on personal struggles.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Come On 3:43
  • 2 Rocks 3:38
  • 3 She'll Hear You 3:30
  • 4 Give It All Away 5:02
  • 5 Every Step 3:43
  • 6 Christine 4:01
  • 7 Wicked Little Town 4:01
  • 8 Falling Down 5:18
  • 9 Stay 4:01
  • 10 Criminal 4:15
  • 11 Slow Down 3:10
  • 12 Setting of the Sun 6:41

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata