Land of Dreams
Randy Newman · 1988
40 min · 12 tracks · blues
A wry blend of Americana and soft rock, underscored by Newman's signature satirical storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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It's Money That Matters — This track encapsulates Newman's biting wit regarding capitalism and its influence on human relationships, showcasing his ability to mix humor with serious themes.
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New Orleans Wins the War — With its upbeat melody paired with ironic lyrics about the resilience of New Orleans, this track highlights Newman’s skill in using storytelling to comment on historical events.
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Dixie Flyer Start here — Opening the album, this song sets the tone with its nostalgic reflections on Southern culture and personal memory, a recurring theme throughout Newman's work.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends Americana with soft rock, showcasing Newman's storytelling through varied arrangements.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo groove, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and instrumentation.
- Newman's vocal delivery often shifts between conversational and theatrical, enhancing the storytelling aspect of the lyrics.
- Several tracks incorporate brass and string arrangements that add depth to the overall sound without overshadowing the vocals.
- 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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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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
- playful storytelling vibes
- short, engaging listening bursts
- nostalgic reflective moments
- varied emotional landscapes
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album marked Newman's return after a hiatus and featured a hit single, enhancing his recognition.
- Career context
- Released in 1988, Land of Dreams marked Randy Newman's return to the studio after a five-year hiatus following his album Trouble in Paradise. At this point, Newman was transitioning from his earlier work in film scoring back into the realm of popular music, using this album to explore themes of nostalgia and identity with a distinctly American perspective.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Harry Nilsson· Leonard Cohen· Tom Waits
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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New Orleans Wins the War
The lyric shifts from celebratory to bittersweet as it recounts the city’s survival through adversity while acknowledging ongoing struggles.
This contrast between triumph and hardship not only reflects Newman's storytelling prowess but also emphasizes the complexity of cultural identity.
Tracklist
- 1 Dixie Flyer Start here 4:08
- 2 New Orleans Wins the War 3:32
- 3 Four Eyes 3:38
- 4 Falling in Love 3:01
- 5 Something Special 3:07
- 6 Bad News From Home 2:47
- 7 Roll With the Punches 3:27
- 8 Masterman and Baby J. 3:29
- 9 Red Bandana 2:36
- 10 Follow the Flag 2:14
- 11 It’s Money That Matters 4:07
- 12 I Want You to Hurt Like I Do 4:05
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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