Released 10 years ago
Lodestar
Shirley Collins · 2016
43 min · 10 tracks · traditional folk music
A haunting tapestry of traditional folk, woven with Collins' ethereal voice and rich narratives from England's past.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
The Banks of Green Willow — This track encapsulates Collins' ability to breathe life into traditional ballads, merging delicate melodies with poignant storytelling that resonates deeply.
-
→
Cruel Lincoln — With its dark narrative and evocative imagery, this song showcases Collins' mastery in transforming historical tales into compelling musical experiences.
-
→
Death and the Lady — This track exemplifies the album's thematic exploration of mortality, featuring a haunting arrangement that complements Collins' striking vocal delivery.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Lodestar blends traditional narratives with modern sensibilities, showcasing Collins' unique voice and craftsmanship.
What we noticed
- Collins' voice is often layered with minimal instrumentation, allowing the lyrics and melodies to take center stage.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
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
Significant within its genre. 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
- haunting melodies for quiet moments
- intimate storytelling by the fire
- reflective listening on rainy days
- captivating vocal delivery throughout
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy engagement
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced songs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the release of Lodestar in 2016, Shirley Collins had returned to the music scene after a lengthy hiatus since the late 1980s. This album marked her first studio release in over 38 years, solidifying her comeback and demonstrating the enduring power of her artistry in traditional folk music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Anne Briggs· Bert Jansch· Nick Drake
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
-
Death and the Lady
The refrain shifts perspective to confront death directly, creating an unsettling yet intimate dialogue between life and mortality.
This structural choice amplifies the emotional stakes by placing death as a character within the song, allowing listeners to engage more profoundly with its themes.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Awake Awake / The Split Ash Tree / May Carol / Southover 11:09
- 2 The Banks of Green Willow 3:18
- 3 Cruel Lincoln 3:30
- 4 Washed Ashore 2:57
- 5 Death and the Lady 4:45
- 6 Pretty Polly 4:17
- 7 Old Johnny Buckle 1:43
- 8 Sur le Borde de l'Eau 3:53
- 9 The Rich Irish Lady / Jeff Sturgeon 5:59
- 10 The Silver Swan 1:26
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.