Haven't Got the Blues (Yet)
Loudon Wainwright III · 2014
48 min · 14 tracks · blues
Wainwright's wit and poignant storytelling intertwine with folk and blues, creating a tapestry of both humor and introspection.
Top tracks — play these first
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Brand New Dance Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Depression Blues — This track captures the album's emotional core with its candid examination of melancholy, combining humor and sorrow in Wainwright's signature style.
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I Knew Your Mother — An engaging narrative piece that showcases Wainwright's storytelling prowess, blending personal history with universal themes of connection and loss.
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Haven’t Got the Blues (Yet) — The title track encapsulates the album’s spirit with its upbeat tone juxtaposed against reflections on life's challenges, embodying resilience.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Wainwright's blend of humor and introspection creates a varied listening experience, though it lacks strong cohesion.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate humor into their lyrics, while others delve into more serious themes, creating a contrast in tone throughout the record.
- The pacing varies significantly; some songs are brisk and upbeat, while others slow down to allow for reflection on the lyrical content.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- 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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5/10
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
- steady mid-tempo reflective flow
- playful wit in storytelling
- for afternoon relaxation
- thoughtful lyrics with humor
- candid reflections on everyday life
Maybe skip if you
- prefer high-energy listening
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows Wainwright's continued relevance and exploration of themes in later career.
- Themes
- melancholy humor· personal storytelling· resilience in adversity
- Career context
- Released in 2014, Haven't Got the Blues (Yet) marks Loudon Wainwright III's return to recording after a four-year hiatus following 2010's High Wide & Handsome. At this stage in his career, Wainwright has established himself as a veteran singer-songwriter known for blending personal narratives with social commentary, continuing to evolve while remaining true to his roots in folk music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- John Prine· Steve Goodman· Ramblin' Jack Elliott
Tracklist
- 1 Brand New Dance Start here 3:35
- 2 Spaced 3:56
- 3 In a Hurry 5:16
- 4 Depression Blues 3:48
- 5 The Morgue 1:54
- 6 Harmless 3:35
- 7 Man & Dog 3:56
- 8 Harlan County 3:05
- 9 I Knew Your Mother 2:57
- 10 Looking at the Calendar 3:15
- 11 I’ll Be Killing You This Christmas 3:34
- 12 God & Nature 3:28
- 13 Haven’t Got the Blues (Yet) 3:24
- 14 Last Day of the Year 2:25
What to play next
Surviving Twin
2017
Continues the blend of humor and introspection with fresh narratives.
Older Than My Old Man Now
2012
Sets the stage with similar storytelling and emotional depth.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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