Holy Water
Bad Company · 1990
53 min · 13 tracks · hard rock
A polished blend of blues rock and hard rock infused with emotionally charged lyrics and powerful vocals.
Top tracks — play these first
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Holy Water — The title track is emblematic of the album's themes, combining powerful vocals with a memorable melody that encapsulates the band's signature style.
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If You Needed Somebody — This song showcases a softer side of Bad Company, featuring heartfelt lyrics and a compelling chorus that highlights the band's versatility.
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Walk Through Fire — With its driving rhythm and passionate delivery, this track exemplifies the hard rock energy that defines much of the album's sound.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid songwriting and production but lacks standout moments that elevate it beyond its genre.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces slower ballads that shift the emotional tone.
- Several tracks incorporate layered harmonies and guitar solos that build intensity, particularly in the choruses.
- The lyrics often focus on themes of love and longing, with a recurring use of personal pronouns that create an intimate connection.
- 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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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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 listening experience
- emotional depth in every track
- for reflective moments
- suitable for evening relaxation
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced excitement
- seek short, standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in January 1990, Holy Water marked Bad Company's comeback after a five-year hiatus from studio albums. This record was their first since the departure of founding member Mick Ralphs, showcasing a more refined sound while still retaining their classic rock roots.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Free· Lynyrd Skynyrd· Led Zeppelin
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Holy Water 4:06
- 2 Walk Through Fire 4:48
- 3 Stranger Stranger 4:50
- 4 If You Needed Somebody 4:21
- 5 Fearless 3:31
- 6 Lay Your Love on Me 4:03
- 7 Boys Cry Tough 5:33
- 8 With You in a Heartbeat 4:34
- 9 I Don't Care 4:34
- 10 Never Too Late 3:41
- 11 Dead of the Night 3:40
- 12 I Can't Live Without You 3:49
- 13 100 Miles 1:57
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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