Released 39 years ago this October
Masque
Manfred Mann's Earth Band · 1987
39 min · 12 tracks · progressive rock
A vibrant fusion of progressive rock and jazz-inflected grooves that showcases intricate musicianship and eclectic arrangements.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Joybringer (from Jupiter) — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its rich instrumentation and celestial themes, showcasing the band's knack for creating atmospheric soundscapes.
-
→
What You Give Is What You Get (start) — The track embodies a reflective quality, featuring an engaging melody that draws listeners in while highlighting the band's lyrical depth.
-
→
Neptune (Icebringer) — As one of the shorter tracks, it encapsulates the album’s exploratory theme with its ethereal sound and serves as a bridge between more substantial pieces.
-
→
Hymn (from Jupiter) — This track stands out for its poignant lyrics and emotive delivery, merging philosophical themes with a haunting melody that resonates throughout.
-
→
Geronimo’s Cadillac — This cover showcases the band’s unique ability to reinterpret existing material while infusing it with their distinctive style, making it memorable among their catalog.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate musicianship with a blend of progressive rock and jazz, though it lacks strong cohesion across its length.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate jazz elements, such as improvisational sections and syncopated grooves, which enhance the progressive rock foundation.
- 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
-
7/10
- 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
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
- short bursts of energetic playfulness
- intricate musicianship for detail lovers
- dynamic shifts keeping engagement high
- playful rhythms for group enjoyment
- vibrant grooves for uplifting moods
Maybe skip if you
- prefer lengthy, immersive experiences
- seek straightforward, predictable structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on October 16, 1987, Masque was Manfred Mann's Earth Band's sixth studio album, following their 1986 release, Somewhere in Afrika. At this point, the band had solidified their sound as a blend of progressive rock with pop sensibilities, continuing to explore themes from mythology and space throughout their work.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Joybringer (from Jupiter) 2:26
- 2 Sister Billies Bounce (including Sister Sadie & Billies Bounce) 2:15
- 3 What You Give Is What You Get (start) 2:34
- 4 Telegram to Monica 5:38
- 5 Billies Orno Bounce (including Billies Bounce) 3:17
- 6 A Couple of Mates (from Mars & Jupiter) 3:20
- 7 Neptune (Icebringer) 1:06
- 8 Rivers Run Dry 3:03
- 9 Hymn (from Jupiter) 3:57
- 10 We’re Going Wrong 4:02
- 11 Planets Schmanets 2:41
- 12 Geronimo’s Cadillac 4:43
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.