Good Souls Better Angels
Lucinda Williams · 2020
59 min · 12 tracks · blues
A poignant blend of blues, folk, and rock that channels raw emotion into reflective storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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You Can’t Rule Me Start here — This opening track sets the tone with its defiant lyrics and gritty instrumentation, embodying the album's themes of empowerment and resistance against adversity.
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Pray the Devil Back to Hell — This song uniquely combines a personal narrative with broader social commentary, highlighting Williams' ability to weave personal struggles into universal themes of hope and perseverance.
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Good Souls — As the title track, it encapsulates the album's reflective nature, blending heartfelt lyrics with a soulful melody that reinforces Williams' artistry and emotional depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends blues and folk elements with strong storytelling, though it has some pacing inconsistencies.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature a steady mid-tempo rhythm, while the fourth track introduces a slower, more contemplative pace.
- Several songs incorporate call-and-response vocal patterns, enhancing the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- The album closes with a title track that features layered instrumentation, building to a climactic finish before fading out.
- 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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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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
- wave-like pacing with climaxes
- poignant storytelling and raw emotion
- introspective listening for reflection
- early evening contemplation sessions
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat party tracks
- prefer instant gratification
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and relevance in Williams' late career.
- Themes
- personal resilience· social justice commentary· southern storytelling
- Career context
- By the time 'Good Souls Better Angels' was released in April 2020, Lucinda Williams had established herself as a pivotal figure in Americana music, following her celebrated album 'The Ghosts of Highway 20' in 2016. This album marked her return to the studio after a four-year hiatus, showcasing her resilience and continued relevance in the industry amidst personal challenges.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Neko Case· Mary Gauthier· Patty Griffin
Tracklist
- 1 You Can’t Rule Me Start here 4:01
- 2 Bad News Blues 4:36
- 3 Man Without a Soul 5:31
- 4 Big Black Train 5:27
- 5 Wakin’ Up 4:44
- 6 Pray the Devil Back to Hell 5:37
- 7 Shadows & Doubts 6:00
- 8 When the Way Gets Dark 3:26
- 9 Bone of Contention 4:04
- 10 Down Past the Bottom 3:21
- 11 Big Rotator 5:19
- 12 Good Souls 7:34
What to play next
Stories from a Rock n Roll Heart
2023
Continues the blend of storytelling and emotion with fresh energy.
Down Where the Spirit Meets the Bone
2014
Precedes with a similar depth of lyrical exploration and sound.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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