Killingsworth
The Minus 5 · 2009
41 min · 14 tracks · pop rock
A whimsical blend of dark humor and melodic pop, layered with eclectic arrangements and sharp lyrical wit.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Scott Walker's Fault — This track stands out for its homage to the influential singer-songwriter Scott Walker, combining introspective lyrics with a catchy melody that encapsulates the album's quirky charm.
-
→
It Won't Do You Any Good — With its concise running time, this track delivers a punchy critique wrapped in humorous wordplay, exemplifying the album's blend of wit and brevity.
-
→
Ambulance Dancehall — This song features a captivating rhythm and clever juxtaposition of dark themes against an upbeat musical backdrop, highlighting the band's signature style.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases clever songwriting and eclectic arrangements but lacks strong cohesion across its length.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a track that features a steady mid-tempo beat, followed by a shift to more upbeat arrangements in the next few songs.
- Several tracks incorporate unexpected instrumental breaks and key changes, adding complexity to the overall sound.
- The lyrics often employ dark humor and clever wordplay, with multiple songs featuring narrative storytelling elements.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
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
- whimsical melodies with dark humor
- short tracks for quick enjoyment
- playful sing-alongs with friends
- quirky storytelling in each song
Maybe skip if you
- prefer longer, immersive experiences
- seek serious, heavy themes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Killingsworth' was released in 2009, The Minus 5 had established themselves as a notable indie pop collective, led by Scott McCaughey. This album came after their 2006 effort 'The Minus 5', showcasing their consistent evolution in sound while continuing to explore themes of absurdity and introspection.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Decemberists· The Shins· Wilco
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Dark Hand of Contagion 3:23
- 2 The Long Hall 3:04
- 3 The Disembowelers 3:10
- 4 The Lurking Barrister 3:05
- 5 It Won't Do You Any Good 1:50
- 6 Vintage Violet 2:40
- 7 Scott Walker's Fault 3:08
- 8 Big Beat Up Moon 3:11
- 9 I Would Rather Sacrifice You 2:58
- 10 Ambulance Dancehall 2:51
- 11 Gash in the Cocoon 3:57
- 12 Smoke on, Jerry 3:13
- 13 Your Favorite Mess 2:18
- 14 Tonight You're Buying Me a Drink, Bub 2:51
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.