What makes Impossible Dream by Patty Griffin notable?

Impossible Dream received widespread acclaim, with notable reviews highlighting Griffin's lyrical depth and musical maturity. The album includes tracks that have resonated within the folk scene, contributing to her growing influence among contemporary singer-songwriters and securing her place in the Americana genre. Released in 2004, Impossible Dream marked Patty Griffin's fourth studio album, following the critically acclaimed 2002 release, 1000 Kisses. At this point in her career, Griffin was solidifying her reputation as a formidable songwriter, having already garnered significant attention from both fans and critics alike for her poignant storytelling and emotive performances.

Who is Impossible Dream for?

Impossible Dream works well if you're into intimate storytelling through melodies, patient waves of emotional depth and reflective moments for quiet thought.

How many songs are on Impossible Dream?

Impossible Dream has 14 tracks, running approximately 61 minutes.

Impossible Dream

Patty Griffin · 2004

61 min · 14 tracks · folk music

A contemplative blend of folk and rock, where introspective lyrics intertwine with haunting melodies and rich instrumentation.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Useless Desires — This track showcases Griffin's ability to convey deep emotional struggle through vivid imagery and a haunting melody, encapsulating the album's themes of longing and introspection.
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When It Don't Come Easy — The song serves as a poignant reflection on resilience and vulnerability, marked by its heartfelt delivery and soulful arrangement that highlights Griffin's vocal prowess.
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Mother of God — An expansive piece that combines spiritual questioning with personal narrative, it stands out for its evocative lyrics and dynamic build-up, representing the album's emotional core.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong songwriting and production but lacks some cohesion due to live bonus tracks.

What we noticed

The first five tracks feature a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the subsequent tracks introduce varying tempos and dynamics.
Griffin employs rich instrumentation, often layering acoustic guitar with strings and subtle percussion to create depth in the sound.
Several tracks, such as 'Useless Desires' and 'When It Don't Come Easy', utilize a call-and-response vocal style that enhances the emotional weight of the lyrics.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

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

intimate storytelling through melodies
patient waves of emotional depth
reflective moments for quiet thought
dynamic flow with emotional peaks

Maybe skip if you

seeking instant gratification
prefer upbeat, fast-paced tracks

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 2004, Impossible Dream marked Patty Griffin's fourth studio album, following the critically acclaimed 2002 release, 1000 Kisses. At this point in her career, Griffin was solidifying her reputation as a formidable songwriter, having already garnered significant attention from both fans and critics alike for her poignant storytelling and emotive performances.
Stylistic neighbors: Dar Williams· Neko Case· Brandi Carlile