Labour Day cover

Labour Day

Spirit of the West · 1988

40 min · 9 tracks · folk rock

Folk rock melodies intertwine with sharp political commentary, creating an anthemic sound that resonates with both celebration and critique.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Political — This track stands out for its incisive lyrics that directly address societal issues, making it a rallying cry for listeners seeking political awareness.
  • →
    Drinking Man — With its reflective narrative on personal struggles and societal pressures, this song showcases the band’s ability to blend poignant storytelling with engaging melodies.
  • →
    The Hounds That Wait Outside Your Door — This track features haunting imagery and a compelling arrangement that captures the essence of longing and introspection prevalent throughout the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

50 /100
Foothills
Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album combines folk rock melodies with political lyrics, creating an engaging yet uneven listening experience.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a strong, driving rhythm in 'Darkhouse' that sets a celebratory tone, which is maintained through the first half.
  • Several tracks feature call-and-response vocals, enhancing the anthemic quality and engaging listeners directly.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
6/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

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.

Tracklist

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

  • 1 Darkhouse 4:46
  • 2 Political 4:27
  • 3 Profiteers 3:03
  • 4 The Hounds That Wait Outside Your Door 5:20
  • 5 Runboy 4:10
  • 6 Drinking Man 5:53
  • 7 Expensive/Cinema of Pain 3:26
  • 8 Gottingen Street 4:11
  • 9 Take it From the Source 5:39

What to play next

Old Material 1984–1986
Listen next

Old Material 1984–1986

1989
Tripping Up the Stairs
Go back to

Tripping Up the Stairs

1986
Full Spirit of the West discography Artists like Spirit of the West
folk rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata