In the West
Silkworm · 1994
43 min · 10 tracks · indie rock
A gritty blend of punk-infused indie rock with sharp lyrics and relentless guitar-driven energy.
Top tracks — play these first
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Garden City Blues — This opening track sets the tone with its infectious energy and vivid storytelling, encapsulating the band's signature sound and lyrical style.
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Raised by Tigers — With a captivating melody and introspective lyrics, this song showcases the band's ability to meld emotional depth with dynamic instrumentation.
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Enough Is Enough — The lengthy composition features an evolving structure that highlights the band's experimental tendencies while maintaining a potent lyrical critique.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong lyrical content and energetic instrumentation but lacks some cohesion in pacing.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a driving tempo that persists through the first five tracks, maintaining high energy before shifting to more reflective tones in the latter half.
- Several tracks feature abrupt transitions between sections, creating a sense of urgency and unpredictability.
- Lyrically, the songs often employ vivid imagery and sharp social commentary, enhancing their emotional impact.
- 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
- gritty energy for afternoon drives
- sharp lyrics with rebellious spirit
- brief bursts of raw intensity
- dynamic shifts in emotional tone
Maybe skip if you
- prefer slow, mellow sounds
- want polished studio production
Where this album fits
- Career context
- In the West marked Silkworm's fourth studio album, following their 1993 release, Libertine. By this time, the band had solidified their place in the indie rock scene, gaining recognition for their distinctive sound that combined punk ethos with intricate songwriting. This album was crucial in expanding their audience, showcasing their evolution as a band during the early '90s indie boom.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Shellac· The Jesus Lizard· Polvo
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Raised by Tigers
The verse shifts perspective to explore familial themes, creating an intimate reflection on upbringing.
This moment introduces a personal narrative that contrasts with other tracks' broader themes, emphasizing vulnerability through its specific focus.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Garden City Blues 4:13
- 2 Dust My Broom 2:40
- 3 Into the Woods 3:28
- 4 Punch Drunk Five 2:48
- 5 Raised by Tigers 5:15
- 6 Enough Is Enough 8:13
- 7 Parsons 3:45
- 8 Incanduce 3:26
- 9 Dremate 5:48
- 10 Pilot 4:18
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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