Mark the Hard Earth
Kris Drever · 2010
44 min · 11 tracks · traditional folk music
A rich tapestry of contemporary folk woven with traditional melodies and heartfelt storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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Mark the Hard Earth — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of connection to land and heritage, featuring poignant lyrics that reflect on personal and collective histories.
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Wild Hurricane — This track stands out with its driving rhythm and evocative imagery, illustrating the struggle against nature while paralleling human resilience.
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Freedom Come A'Ye — A powerful rendition of a traditional song, this track serves as a rallying cry for social justice, showcasing Drever's ability to reinterpret historical narratives in a modern context.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends traditional folk elements with contemporary songwriting, creating a solid yet familiar listening experience.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a title track that features layered acoustic guitar and vocal harmonies, setting a reflective tone.
- Several tracks incorporate traditional folk instruments like the fiddle and accordion, enhancing the cultural authenticity of the sound.
- The lyrical content often tells stories or paints vivid imagery, with a focus on nature and human experience across multiple songs.
- The pacing varies, with some tracks maintaining a steady rhythm while others introduce shifts in tempo to emphasize emotional moments.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- 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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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
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
- heartfelt storytelling through melodies
- evocative instrumentation for reflection
- for cozy gatherings
- gentle pacing with rich textures
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of high-energy tracks
- prefer standalone singles over continuity
Where this album fits
- Career context
- When Kris Drever released 'Mark the Hard Earth' in 2010, he was establishing himself as a prominent figure in the UK folk scene. This album followed his acclaimed debut, 'Black Water,' and showcased his growth as a songwriter and musician, building on his reputation for blending traditional elements with personal narratives.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Kate Rusby· Sam Lee· Laura Marling
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Mark the Hard Earth 4:44
- 2 This Old Song 3:54
- 3 Shining Star 3:56
- 4 Allegory 3:57
- 5 Wild Hurricane 3:57
- 6 Sweet Honey in the Rock 3:03
- 7 O' a' the Airts 3:31
- 8 The Call and the Answer 3:57
- 9 The Crown of London 4:01
- 10 The Banks of the Nile 4:39
- 11 Freedom Come A'Ye 4:33
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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