Last Time Around
Buffalo Springfield · 1968
34 min · 12 tracks · folk rock
A bittersweet blend of folk rock melodies and introspective lyrics that capture the transient nature of youth and change.
Top tracks — play these first
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On the Way Home — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its poignant reflection on life's journey and the inevitability of change. Its emotive melody and heartfelt lyrics encapsulate the band's signature sound.
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I Am a Child — This track stands out for its vulnerable exploration of innocence and growing up, featuring harmonies that highlight both longing and nostalgia. It showcases the band's ability to convey complex emotions through simple yet powerful lyrics.
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Kind Woman — As one of the album's more tender moments, this song features lush instrumentation that complements its theme of love and devotion. The heartfelt delivery elevates it beyond mere sentimentality into an earnest declaration.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong melodies and introspective lyrics but lacks a cohesive flow across all tracks.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a strong, melodic track that sets a reflective tone, followed by several songs that explore varying tempos and moods.
- Many tracks feature layered harmonies and intertwining guitar lines, creating a rich sonic texture throughout the record.
- The last three tracks shift towards more introspective themes, with 'Kind Woman' concluding the album on a softer, contemplative note.
- 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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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- 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 mid-tempo reflective moments
- gentle melodies for casual listening
- nostalgic harmonies with warmth
- thoughtful tunes for quiet afternoons
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of high-energy tracks
- prefer standalone hit singles
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in January 1968, Last Time Around was Buffalo Springfield's final studio album during their brief but impactful career. This album came after their critical success with Buffalo Springfield Again in 1967, marking a period where the band was grappling with lineup changes and artistic direction as members pursued solo projects.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Byrds· Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young· Neil Young
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 On the Way Home 2:33
- 2 It’s So Hard to Wait 2:09
- 3 Pretty Girl Why 2:27
- 4 Four Days Gone 2:57
- 5 Carefree Country Day 2:42
- 6 Special Care 3:38
- 7 The Hour of Not Quite Rain 3:50
- 8 Questions 3:00
- 9 I Am a Child 2:25
- 10 Merry‐Go‐Round 2:08
- 11 Uno Mundo 2:05
- 12 Kind Woman 4:12
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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