Like Flies on Sherbert
Alex Chilton · 1979
11 tracks · blue-eyed soul
A raw and eclectic blend of rock, soul, and punk energy with a playful yet gritty vibe throughout.
Top tracks — play these first
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Boogie Shoes — This track captures the album's energetic spirit with its infectious groove and playful lyrics, showcasing Chilton's knack for blending soul influences with rock elements.
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I've Had It — As one of the standout tracks, it offers a raw emotional intensity that highlights Chilton's vocal prowess while reflecting the album's overall themes of disillusionment.
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Like Flies On Sherbert — The title track encapsulates the album's quirky charm and experimental nature, featuring unexpected shifts in tempo and mood that keep listeners engaged.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases a mix of raw energy and eclectic styles, but its cohesion suffers from abrupt transitions.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a fast-paced track, 'Boogie Shoes', and maintains a raw energy throughout, with several songs featuring distorted guitars and punchy rhythms.
- Chilton's vocal delivery varies from playful to gritty, often shifting between melodic lines and more spoken or shouted phrases.
- The sequencing includes abrupt transitions between tracks, such as moving from the upbeat 'Rock Hard' to the slower 'Waltz Across Texas', creating a disjointed yet engaging flow.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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5/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
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 energy for road trips
- raw and gritty late-night vibes
- eclectic mix for spontaneous gatherings
- short bursts of energetic fun
Maybe skip if you
- prefer polished production styles
- seek long, cohesive narratives
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in January 1979, Like Flies on Sherbert was Alex Chilton's first solo album following his tenure with Big Star. At this point in his career, Chilton was navigating a shift from the beloved but commercially overlooked Big Star to a more experimental and personal sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Big Star· Chris Bell· The Zombies
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Boogie Shoes
- 2 My Rival
- 3 Hey! Little Child
- 4 Hook or Crook
- 5 I've Had It
- 6 Rock Hard
- 7 Girl After Girl
- 8 Waltz Across Texas
- 9 Alligator Man
- 10 Like Flies On Sherbert
- 11 No More The Moon Shines On Lorena
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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