Goddamned
Jay Brannan · 2008
46 min · 11 tracks · folk music
Intimate folk melodies intertwine with candid storytelling, creating a raw and relatable emotional landscape throughout the album.
Top tracks — play these first
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American Idol — This track stands out for its sharp commentary on fame and societal expectations, reflecting Brannan's experiences in the entertainment industry.
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Goddamned — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of vulnerability and frustration, highlighted by its poignant lyrics and emotive delivery.
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Half-Boyfriend — With its playful exploration of unrequited love and relationships, this song showcases Brannan's ability to blend humor with heartfelt emotion.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid songwriting and performance but lacks standout moments that elevate it significantly.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of acoustic guitar as the primary instrument, with Brannan's vocals layered prominently over simple chord progressions.
- Each track typically follows a verse-chorus structure, allowing for storytelling that unfolds gradually across the songs.
- Several tracks incorporate spoken word elements, enhancing the candid and personal nature of the lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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
- steady mid-tempo reflections
- intimate storytelling moments
- candid explorations of identity
- thoughtful listening on quiet nights
- melodic musings on love
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of high-energy tracks
- prefer instant gratification songs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2008, Goddamned was Jay Brannan's debut studio album following his successful career as a singer-songwriter on YouTube. At this point, he was transitioning from an internet sensation to a recognized artist in the folk music scene, showcasing his unique blend of personal narratives and acoustic sounds.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Sufjan Stevens· Iron & Wine· Damien Rice
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Can't Have It All 3:58
- 2 Half-Boyfriend 4:08
- 3 American Idol 3:46
- 4 Death Waltz 3:55
- 5 At First Sight 3:50
- 6 Housewife 3:30
- 7 Goddamned 5:44
- 8 Home 3:51
- 9 Bowlegged & Starving 3:58
- 10 On All Fours 4:28
- 11 String-A-Long Song 4:53
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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