Here Come the Choppers
Loudon Wainwright III · 2005
56 min · 12 tracks · blues
Wainwright's sharp wit and poignant storytelling unfold over a blend of folk, blues, and rock-influenced melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
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My Biggest Fan Start here — This opening track cleverly reflects on fame and self-perception, setting an introspective tone for the album while highlighting Wainwright's signature narrative style.
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God's Country — In this track, Wainwright addresses themes of disillusionment and American identity with biting irony, showcasing his ability to combine humor with social commentary.
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Here Come the Choppers — The titular song captures Wainwright's knack for storytelling through vivid imagery and relatable anxieties, emblematic of his approach throughout the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases Wainwright's lyrical wit and musical variety, though it lacks a strong cohesive flow throughout.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- 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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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 mid-tempo storytelling
- wry humor and introspection
- thoughtful reflections on life
- ideal for relaxed afternoons
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy tracks
- prefer fast-paced music
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and relevance in Wainwright's extensive career.
- Themes
- American identity crisis· fame's absurdity· relatable anxieties
- Career context
- By the time 'Here Come the Choppers' was released, Loudon Wainwright III was well into his career, having established a reputation as a unique voice in folk music since his debut in the early 1970s. This album came after a prolific period in the 2000s, following the critically acclaimed 'Last Man on Earth' in 2001, showcasing his continued evolution as a songwriter.
- Stylistic neighbors
- John Prine· Steve Goodman· Ramblin' Jack Elliott
Tracklist
- 1 My Biggest Fan Start here 6:02
- 2 No Sure Way 5:29
- 3 Had to Be Her 5:02
- 4 Hank and Fred 4:55
- 5 Half Fist 4:13
- 6 To Be on TV 4:03
- 7 God's Country 3:14
- 8 Make Your Mother Mad 4:06
- 9 When You Leave 5:22
- 10 Nanny 3:12
- 11 Here Come the Choppers 6:42
- 12 Things 4:06
What to play next
Strange Weirdos
2007
Continues Wainwright's blend of humor and storytelling with fresh musicality.
Last Man on Earth
2001
Sets the stage for the wit and themes explored in Here Come the Choppers.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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