What makes Let It Come Down by James Iha notable?

This album showcased Iha's songwriting abilities and received positive critical reception, particularly noted for its intimate sound and mature themes. Though it did not achieve commercial success comparable to The Smashing Pumpkins, it has since been recognized for its influence on indie rock artists in the late '90s. Let It Come Down marked James Iha's debut solo album following his work as the guitarist for The Smashing Pumpkins. Released in 1998, it came during a period when Iha was exploring his own artistic voice outside of the band's mainstream success, signaling a departure into more personal and melodic territory.

How many songs are on Let It Come Down?

Let It Come Down has 11 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

Let It Come Down

James Iha · 1998

40 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock

A dreamy blend of alternative rock and soft pop, layered with lush melodies and introspective lyrics.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Be Strong Now — Opening the album, this track encapsulates the reflective tone that runs throughout, combining airy instrumentation with earnest lyrics about resilience.
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Sound of Love — With its catchy melody and heartfelt delivery, this song exemplifies Iha's ability to merge pop sensibilities with deeper emotional undercurrents.
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No One's Gonna Hurt You — The closing track offers a poignant farewell with its soothing arrangement and comforting message, effectively bringing the album's themes full circle.

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 showcases solid songwriting and production but lacks strong cohesion and impact within its genre.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces slower, more reflective tracks.
Several songs incorporate layered guitar textures and soft vocal harmonies, creating a dreamy atmosphere.
The lyrics often explore themes of introspection and relationships, with a focus on personal experiences rather than broader narratives.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

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 Be Strong Now 2:48
2 Sound of Love 3:56
3 Beauty 3:44
4 See the Sun 3:59
5 Country Girl 3:01
6 Jealousy 3:26
7 Lover, Lover 3:21
8 Silver String 3:53
9 Winter 4:25
10 One and Two 3:31
11 No One's Gonna Hurt You 4:12

What to play next

Listen next

Look to the Sky

2012

Full James Iha discography Artists like James Iha

alternative rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata