Hallelujah All the Way Home cover

Hallelujah All the Way Home

The Verlaines · 1985

33 min · 8 tracks · rock music

A jangly, melodic tapestry of rock imbued with poetic storytelling and the atmospheric haze of New Zealand's indie scene.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    It Was Raining — This track sets the tone for the album with its evocative lyrics and layered instrumentation, encapsulating the band's unique blend of melancholy and melody.
  • →
    For the Love of Ash Grey — A standout piece that showcases the band's lyrical depth, marrying vivid imagery with intricate guitar work that exemplifies their signature style.
  • →
    The Ballad of Harry Noryb — This lengthy narrative journey encapsulates The Verlaines' storytelling prowess, weaving a rich tapestry of character and emotion through its extended runtime.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

58 /100
Treeline
Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong melodies and storytelling, characteristic of the Dunedin Sound, with notable cohesion across its tracks.

What we noticed

  • The first three tracks feature jangly guitars and upbeat tempos, while the fourth track introduces a slower, more introspective mood.
  • Each song typically features a prominent melodic hook that is revisited throughout, creating a sense of cohesion within individual tracks.
  • The lyrics often employ vivid imagery and storytelling, with a focus on personal and emotional themes that unfold gradually.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
6/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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.

Tracklist

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

  • 1 It Was Raining 5:02
  • 2 All Laid On 2:12
  • 3 The Lady and the Lizard 5:55
  • 4 Don’t Send Me Away 1:57
  • 5 Lying in State 2:37
  • 6 Phil Too? 4:39
  • 7 For the Love of Ash Grey 3:36
  • 8 The Ballad of Harry Noryb 7:32

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata