Great Western Valkyrie
Rival Sons · 2014
47 min · 10 tracks · hard rock
A fiery blend of blues-infused rock with gritty vocals and dynamic instrumentation that evokes a sense of relentless adventure.
Top tracks — play these first
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Electric Man — The opening track sets the tone with its infectious energy and compelling riff, establishing the bold sound that defines the album.
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Good Luck — This track features a catchy chorus and an upbeat rhythm, showcasing the band's ability to merge rock sensibilities with an accessible pop flair.
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Belle Starr — With its storytelling lyricism and evocative imagery, this song exemplifies the band's knack for weaving narrative into their music while maintaining a powerful sound.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and energetic performances, though it doesn't significantly reshape its genre.
What we noticed
- The first track opens with a driving guitar riff that sets a high-energy tone, which is maintained through the first half of the album.
- Each song features a prominent vocal delivery that often intertwines with the instrumentation, creating a dynamic interplay.
- Several tracks incorporate shifts in tempo and intensity, such as 'Good Things' which slows down mid-song before building back up to a climactic finish.
- 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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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
- dynamic emotional journeys
- gradual builds and payoffs
- long, immersive listening sessions
- wave-like pacing experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- In 2014, Rival Sons released Great Western Valkyrie as their fourth studio album, following the critically acclaimed Head Down from 2012. This album marked a significant phase in their career, solidifying their presence in the modern rock landscape and showcasing their signature sound characterized by raw energy and classic rock influences.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Greta Van Fleet· The Black Keys· Wolfmother
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Electric Man 3:20
- 2 Good Luck 3:18
- 3 Secret 4:41
- 4 Play the Fool 3:17
- 5 Good Things 5:56
- 6 Open My Eyes 3:55
- 7 Rich and the Poor 5:14
- 8 Belle Starr 4:35
- 9 Where I’ve Been 6:18
- 10 Destination on Course 7:06
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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