Here Comes the Groom
John Wesley Harding · 1990
64 min · 15 tracks
A whimsical blend of folk-rock storytelling with poignant lyrics wrapped in jangly guitars and melodic hooks.
Top tracks — play these first
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Here Comes the Groom — The title track introduces the album's thematic exploration of unconventional love and personal narratives, encapsulating Harding's unique storytelling style.
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Scared of Guns — This song stands out for its poignant critique of violence and societal fears, showcasing Harding's ability to address serious issues through accessible melodies.
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An Audience with You — The track employs clever wordplay and humor while reflecting on relationships, exemplifying Harding's skill in blending lightheartedness with deeper themes.
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Dark Dark Heart — Exploring themes of vulnerability and emotional struggle, this song highlights Harding's introspective lyricism and deepens the album's complex emotional landscape.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features engaging storytelling and varied arrangements but lacks a strong cohesive flow.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature upbeat tempos and jangly guitar riffs, while the fourth track introduces a slower, more contemplative mood.
- Several songs employ a narrative style where the lyrics tell distinct stories, often with quirky characters and situations.
- 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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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
- dynamic emotional journeys
- long, immersive listening sessions
- whimsical storytelling experiences
- wave-like pacing dynamics
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Here Comes the Groom is John Wesley Harding's third studio album, following his acclaimed 1989 release, John Wesley Harding's New Deal. At this point in his career, Harding had begun to establish a distinctive narrative style that combined personal reflection with broader social commentary, further solidifying his reputation in the alternative rock scene of the early '90s.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Elvis Costello· Richard Thompson· Nick Lowe
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Here Comes the Groom 4:04
- 2 Cathy's New Clown 4:44
- 3 Spaced Cowgirl 4:41
- 4 Scared of Guns 3:11
- 5 You're No Good 4:30
- 6 When the Sun Comes Out 4:44
- 7 The Devil in Me 4:41
- 8 An Audience with You 5:35
- 9 Dark Dark Heart 3:47
- 10 Same Thing Twice 3:57
- 11 Affairs of the Heart 3:56
- 12 Nothing I'd Rather Do 3:31
- 13 Things Snowball 3:58
- 14 The Red Rose and the Briar 6:19
- 15 Bastard Son 2:52
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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