Released 40 years ago
Lives in the Balance
Jackson Browne · 1986
38 min · 8 tracks · country music
A poignant blend of rock and folk, driven by socially conscious lyrics and melodic storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
For America Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its direct critique of American values and politics, encapsulating Browne's concern for national identity and ethical responsibility.
-
→
Lives in the Balance — The title track addresses the complexities of contemporary life and political strife with an urgent melody that underscores its message, making it a standout statement of Browne's artistic mission.
-
→
Soldier of Plenty — This song employs vivid imagery to explore themes of war and sacrifice, revealing Browne's deep empathy for those affected by conflict while contrasting personal loss against broader societal issues.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong lyrical content and a blend of folk-rock elements but lacks overall cohesion.
What we noticed
- Several tracks feature layered harmonies and prominent acoustic instrumentation, creating a folk-rock feel.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
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
- thoughtful, introspective moments
- narrative-driven lyrical journeys
- steady, reflective pacing
- emotional storytelling focus
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Addresses significant social issues with a distinct sound, marking an ambitious point in his career.
- Themes
- American values critique· mid-80s political unrest· war and sacrifice imagery
- Career context
- Released in 1986, Lives in the Balance was Jackson Browne's sixth studio album, coming after the commercially successful Lawyers in Love. At this point in his career, Browne was increasingly focusing on political themes, reflecting the socio-political climate of the mid-1980s, particularly regarding U.S. foreign policy.
- Stylistic neighbors
- James Taylor· Neil Young· Gordon Lightfoot
Tracklist
- 1 For America Start here 5:10
- 2 Soldier of Plenty 4:34
- 3 In the Shape of a Heart 5:39
- 4 Candy 4:10
- 5 Lawless Avenues 5:37
- 6 Lives in the Balance 4:12
- 7 Till I Go Down 4:20
- 8 Black and White 5:11
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.