What makes Long Line by Peter Wolf notable?

Long Line received moderate acclaim for its rich mix of genres, particularly highlighting Wolf's storytelling ability, but did not achieve significant commercial success on the charts. It has been noted for influencing the roots rock genre and is often cited by critics for its lyrical depth, solidifying Wolf's reputation as a respected solo artist beyond his work with J. Geils Band. By the time Peter Wolf released Long Line in 1996, he was transitioning from his earlier career as the frontman of The J. Geils Band to a solo artist. This album marked his third solo effort, following 1993's Up to No Good, and reflected a matured sound that integrated more introspective lyrics and varied musical styles.

How many songs are on Long Line?

Long Line has 12 tracks, running approximately 47 minutes.

Released 30 years ago

Long Line

Peter Wolf · 1996

47 min · 12 tracks · blues

A blend of rock and soul infused with bluesy undertones, showcasing heartfelt storytelling and vibrant instrumentation.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Long Line — The title track captures the essence of the album with its poignant exploration of longing and connection, setting the thematic tone for the record.
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Goodbye (Is All I'll Send Her) — This track stands out for its emotional weight, combining heartfelt lyrics with a soulful delivery that showcases Wolf's vocal range and depth.
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Sky High — With its upbeat tempo and catchy melody, this song illustrates Wolf’s ability to blend rock energy with soul influences, making it a memorable highlight.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album blends rock, soul, and blues with storytelling but lacks standout moments that elevate it significantly.

What we noticed

The album opens with a mid-tempo title track that sets a reflective tone, followed by a shift to more upbeat rhythms in the subsequent songs.
Several tracks feature prominent horn arrangements that enhance the bluesy undertones and add depth to the instrumentation.
The lyrics often tell stories of love and loss, with a consistent narrative thread running through most of the tracks.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 3/10

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Long Line 3:33
2 Romeo Is Dead 3:24
3 Rosie 4:27
4 Forty to One 3:01
5 Goodbye (Is All I'll Send Her) 3:53
6 Wastin' Time 4:16
7 Sky High 3:45
8 Two Loves 3:29
9 Break This Chain 4:46
10 Seventh Heaven 3:47
11 Starvin' to Death 3:26
12 Riverside Drive 5:24

What to play next

Listen next

Fool's Parade

1998

Go back to

Up to No Good

1990

Full Peter Wolf discography Artists like Peter Wolf

blues soul

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata