It's Not Killing Me
Mike Bloomfield · 1969
36 min · 11 tracks · blues
A gritty blend of blues-rock infused with heartfelt storytelling and gritty guitar work that captures the spirit of the late '60s.
Top tracks — play these first
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If You See My Baby Start here — This opening track sets the tone with a compelling combination of yearning lyrics and Bloomfield's expressive guitar work, making it a strong introduction to the album's themes.
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Michael's Lament — This song showcases Bloomfield's lyrical vulnerability and musical prowess, blending poignant storytelling with a haunting melody that highlights his unique style.
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It's Not Killing Me — The title track encapsulates the album’s core message of resilience amidst heartache, featuring an engaging arrangement that resonates with listeners.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines skilled guitar work with personal storytelling, making it a solid entry in the blues genre.
What we noticed
- The lyrics across the album often reflect personal narratives and emotional struggles, creating a strong storytelling element in each song.
- 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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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
- steady, consistent energy levels
- late-night contemplative moods
- emotional storytelling journeys
- short, immersive listening sessions
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified Bloomfield's reputation following his prior successes.
- Themes
- late '60s blues· personal heartbreak· gritty guitar storytelling
- Career context
- When 'It's Not Killing Me' was released in January 1969, Mike Bloomfield was already recognized as a formidable guitarist, having gained fame with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. This album followed his involvement in the supergroup Electric Flag and showcased his transition into a more personal songwriting style, marking a pivotal moment in his solo career.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Peter Green· Eric Clapton· Johnny Winter
Tracklist
- 1 If You See My Baby Start here 3:05
- 2 For Anyone You Meet 4:03
- 3 Good Old Guy 3:20
- 4 Far Too Many Nights 5:09
- 5 It's Not Killing Me 3:01
- 6 Next Time You See Me 2:55
- 7 Michael's Lament 4:21
- 8 Why Must My Baby 2:37
- 9 The One's I Loved Are Gone 3:05
- 10 Don't Think About It Baby 3:19
- 11 Goofers 1:48
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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