Good Morning, Magpie
Murder by Death · 2010
37 min · 11 tracks · indie rock
A haunting blend of dark folk and indie rock, steeped in narratives of loss and longing.
Top tracks — play these first
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Kentucky Bourbon — This brief opener sets the tone with its atmospheric instrumentation and introduces themes of nostalgia and yearning that permeate the album.
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On the Dark Streets Below — The track showcases a rich tapestry of storytelling, melding somber lyrics with a compelling melody that encapsulates the album's emotional core.
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Good Morning, Magpie — The title track serves as a poignant exploration of mortality and hope, combining evocative imagery with memorable hooks that resonate deeply.
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King of the Gutters, Prince of the Dogs — This song highlights the band's ability to blend humor with darker themes, using vivid character sketches that bring the lyrics to life.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines strong lyrical narratives with varied instrumentation, creating a cohesive yet dynamic listening experience.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and dynamics.
- Several tracks incorporate layered instrumentation, with strings and piano complementing the guitar-driven sound.
- Lyrically, the album explores themes of loss and longing, often using vivid imagery to enhance the storytelling.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- 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
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- haunting storytelling with atmosphere
- short tracks for quick engagement
- reflective moments of quiet introspection
- late-night listening with friends
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat party anthems
- prefer longer, cohesive narratives
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Good Morning, Magpie is Murder by Death's fifth studio album, released after their breakthrough record, In Bocca al Lupo, which established them as a unique voice in indie rock. By 2010, the band was refining their sound, integrating more diverse instrumentation while continuing to explore their signature narrative style.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Decemberists· Neutral Milk Hotel· Iron & Wine
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Kentucky Bourbon 0:33
- 2 As Long as There Is Whiskey in the World 3:14
- 3 On the Dark Streets Below 2:36
- 4 King of the Gutters, Prince of the Dogs 4:42
- 5 Piece by Piece 4:27
- 6 Good Morning, Magpie 5:24
- 7 You Don't Miss Twice (When You're Shavin' With a Knife) 2:36
- 8 Yes 2:23
- 9 Foxglove 3:06
- 10 White Noise 4:52
- 11 The Day 3:32
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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