Here Be Monsters
Ed Harcourt · 2001
52 min · 11 tracks · jazz fusion
A haunting blend of orchestral arrangements and intricate melodies that evoke a sense of melancholic beauty.
Top tracks — play these first
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God Protect Your Soul — This track showcases Harcourt's lyrical depth and emotional vulnerability, blending rich instrumentation with poignant storytelling about longing and existential reflection.
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Those Crimson Tears — With its sweeping orchestral backdrop, this song captures the essence of heartbreak and loss, revealing Harcourt's ability to convey complex emotions through music.
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Like Only Lovers Can — This closing track encapsulates the album's themes of love and melancholy, featuring a haunting piano melody that lingers long after the final note fades.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends orchestral elements with intricate melodies, creating a cohesive yet varied listening experience.
What we noticed
- The album features lush orchestral arrangements that intertwine with intricate piano melodies across nearly all tracks.
- Several tracks utilize a recurring motif, creating a thematic continuity that enhances the overall mood of the record.
- The pacing varies significantly, with some tracks maintaining a steady tempo while others slow down to create moments of reflection.
- 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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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
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
- steady melodic exploration of loss
- melancholic soundscapes for reflection
- intimate moments of emotional depth
- detailed listening for hidden nuances
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat party vibes
- prefer short standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Upon the release of 'Here Be Monsters' in 2001, Ed Harcourt was debuting his career as a solo artist after establishing himself in the UK music scene. This album followed his earlier work with the band Snug, marking a significant transition into a more personal and introspective songwriting style.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Nils Frahm· Ben Howard· James Blake
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Hanging With The Wrong Crowd
The point where the narrative shifts from self-reflection to direct address implies a confrontation with past choices.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Something In My Eye 3:41
- 2 God Protect Your Soul 5:27
- 3 She Fell Into My Arms 3:48
- 4 Those Crimson Tears 5:09
- 5 Hanging With The Wrong Crowd 3:40
- 6 Apple Of My Eye 4:02
- 7 Beneath The Heart Of Darkness 7:19
- 8 Wind Through The Trees 6:45
- 9 Birds Fly Backwards 3:30
- 10 Shanghai 3:49
- 11 Like Only Lovers Can 4:52
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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