Released 10 years ago this October
Lighthouse
David Crosby · 2016
40 min · 9 tracks · folk rock
A contemplative blend of folk rock and jazz-infused melodies, echoing the wisdom of a seasoned storyteller.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Us Below — This track captures the album's emotional core, exploring themes of connection and existential reflection through vivid imagery and haunting melodies.
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Drive Out to the Desert — With its evocative storytelling, this song paints a vivid picture of escape and longing, showcasing Crosby's ability to merge narrative with melody seamlessly.
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By the Light of Common Day — Closing the album, this track offers a contemplative meditation on life's journey, tying together the thematic threads woven throughout the record.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Crosby's songwriting and arrangements reflect his maturity, blending folk and jazz influences effectively.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a mid-tempo track that features layered harmonies and intricate guitar work, setting a reflective tone.
- Several tracks incorporate jazz elements, such as syncopated rhythms and extended chord progressions, which add complexity to the folk rock foundation.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- 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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7/10
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
- introspective listening for contemplation
- heartfelt melodies for quiet evenings
- narrative-driven songs with depth
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy party tracks
- wanting instant gratification hits
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on October 21, 2016, Lighthouse is David Crosby's first album in four years, following his 2013 release, Croz. This album showcases Crosby's continued evolution as a musician and lyricist in his later years, reflecting on life experiences with a poignant clarity that has matured over decades.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Graham Nash· James Taylor· Neil Young
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Things We Do for Love 4:15
- 2 The Us Below 3:41
- 3 Drive Out to the Desert 4:14
- 4 Look in Their Eyes 4:36
- 5 Somebody Other Than You 4:23
- 6 The City 4:45
- 7 Paint You a Picture 4:24
- 8 What Makes It So 4:00
- 9 By the Light of Common Day 6:14
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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