Keep Away cover

Keep Away

Godsmack · 1999

8 min · 2 tracks · hard rock

A raw blend of heavy riffs and aggressive vocals that encapsulates the angst of late '90s alternative metal.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Keep Away (Radio Edit) — The radio edit showcases the band's ability to craft a polished yet powerful anthem, making it accessible while retaining its hard-hitting essence.
  • →
    Keep Away (Album Version) — The album version expands on the themes of isolation and defiance present in the lyrics, highlighting the raw energy of Godsmack's live performances.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

45 /100
Lowland
Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The single showcases solid hard rock elements but lacks significant depth or innovation.

What we noticed

  • The radio edit of 'Keep Away' is approximately 3 minutes long, featuring a more concise structure with a focus on the chorus.
  • The album version extends to over 4 minutes, incorporating additional instrumental sections and a more gradual build-up to the chorus.
  • Both versions maintain a heavy guitar riff throughout, but the album version includes a bridge that is absent in the radio edit.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
4/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. 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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Keep Away (Radio Edit) 4:06
  • 2 Keep Away (Album Version) 4:50

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata