Homo Erraticus
Ian Anderson · 2014
51 min · 15 tracks · rock music
A progressive rock journey merging intricate storytelling with rich instrumentation and a modern twist on classic themes.
Top tracks — play these first
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Doggerland — The opening track intricately sets the thematic stage for the album by weaving ancient history with modern relevance, showcasing Anderson's deft lyrical storytelling.
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Heavy Metals — This brief yet impactful piece serves as a sharp commentary on societal issues, using metaphoric language to critique contemporary culture while maintaining a playful tone.
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The Pax Britannica — This track delves deeply into themes of colonialism and its lasting impacts, illustrating Anderson’s ability to fuse historical narrative with emotive music.
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Cold Dead Reckoning — As one of the album's longer tracks, it encapsulates the overarching themes of conflict and resolution, blending complex musical arrangements with poignant lyrics.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong storytelling and varied instrumentation, characteristic of Anderson's style in progressive rock.
What we noticed
- The album features a narrative structure where each track contributes to an overarching story, with thematic connections between songs.
- Instrumentation varies significantly across tracks, incorporating traditional rock elements alongside orchestral arrangements and folk influences.
- 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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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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
- whimsical storytelling through music
- historical narratives come alive
- eclectic instrumentation for exploration
- engaging tracks with varied lengths
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward single tracks
- seek instant gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2014, Homo Erraticus is Ian Anderson's first studio album in over 18 years, following the 1999 release of J-Tull Dot Com. This album represents a continuation of Anderson's exploration of historical and cultural narratives through his music, showcasing his evolution as a solo artist after decades with Jethro Tull.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Jethro Tull· Camel· Gentle Giant
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Doggerland 4:20
- 2 Heavy Metals 1:32
- 3 Enter the Uninvited 4:12
- 4 Puer Ferox Adventus 7:13
- 5 Meliora Sequamur 3:34
- 6 The Turnpike Inn 3:07
- 7 The Engineer 3:11
- 8 The Pax Britannica 3:05
- 9 Tripudium Ad Bellum 2:50
- 10 After These Wars 4:29
- 11 New Blood, Old Veins 2:31
- 12 In for a Pound 0:36
- 13 The Browning of the Green 4:05
- 14 Per Errationes Ad Astra 1:34
- 15 Cold Dead Reckoning 5:31
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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