Little Black Numbers
Kathryn Williams · 2000
43 min · 12 tracks · alternative rock
Intimate acoustic melodies entwine with reflective storytelling, creating a soothing yet poignant atmosphere throughout the album.
Top tracks — play these first
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Fell Down Fast — This track stands out for its captivating melody and introspective lyrics that explore themes of vulnerability and emotional depth. It showcases Williams' ability to blend personal storytelling with universal feelings.
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Tell the Truth as If It Were Lies — This song features intricate wordplay and a hauntingly beautiful arrangement that highlights Williams' poetic prowess. Its exploration of truth and perception resonates deeply throughout the album.
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We Dug a Hole — Opening the album, this track sets the tone with its gentle instrumentation and reflective lyrics. It encapsulates the essence of the album's narrative style and intimate sound.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends intimate melodies with reflective lyrics, though it lacks strong cohesion in its latter half.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features tracks that maintain a gentle, acoustic-driven sound, while the second half introduces more varied instrumentation and tempo changes.
- Several songs incorporate spoken word elements alongside melodic singing, creating a conversational tone that enhances the storytelling aspect.
- The track 'Intermission' serves as a brief instrumental pause, which alters the flow and pacing of the album before returning to lyrical content.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- 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
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- gentle melodies for quiet moments
- introspective lyrics for deep reflection
- short tracks for quick listens
- emotionally resonant storytelling
- morning coffee ambiance
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of high-energy tracks
- prefer upbeat party anthems
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Little Black Numbers marks Kathryn Williams' second album, following her debut, Dog Leap Stairs, released in 1999. By this point in her career, she was beginning to establish herself within the UK folk scene, drawing attention for her distinctive voice and lyrical depth. This release further solidified her presence as a significant artist within the genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Lisa Hannigan· Laura Marling· Nick Drake
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 We Dug a Hole 4:26
- 2 Soul to Feet 4:07
- 3 Stood 3:21
- 4 Jasmine Hoop 3:55
- 5 Fell Down Fast 5:36
- 6 Flicker 3:29
- 7 Intermission 1:33
- 8 Tell the Truth as If It Were Lies 4:07
- 9 Morning Song 2:33
- 10 Toocan 2:24
- 11 Each Star We See 4:27
- 12 We Came Down From the Trees 3:46
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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