Released 30 years ago
Miracle of Science
Marshall Crenshaw · 1996
43 min · 12 tracks · rock music
A melodic blend of power pop and rock, infused with storytelling and introspective lyrics.
Top tracks — play these first
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What Do You Dream Of? — This track highlights Crenshaw's knack for crafting vivid imagery through music, with its contemplative lyrics and catchy melody encapsulating the album’s introspective nature.
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Laughter — With its infectious chorus and playful instrumentation, this song exemplifies Crenshaw's ability to blend humor with deeper emotional themes, making it a standout on the album.
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Twenty‐five Forty‐one — This track combines nostalgia with a catchy hook, showcasing Crenshaw's skill in creating relatable narratives that resonate with listeners while maintaining an upbeat tempo.
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Starless Summer Sky — Featuring poignant lyrics and a hauntingly beautiful melody, this song captures a sense of longing and reflection that adds depth to the album's overall feel.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong melodies and storytelling but lacks a cohesive flow in its arrangement.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a brief soundbite that sets a reflective tone before transitioning into the first full track.
- Several tracks feature layered guitar harmonies and prominent hooks, characteristic of power pop.
- The pacing varies, with some tracks maintaining a steady mid-tempo while others build to more energetic choruses.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- 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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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
- steady mid-tempo reflective mood
- thoughtful storytelling throughout tracks
- for afternoon drives
- melodic narratives that linger
- easygoing background for conversations
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy fast tracks
- prefer standalone singles over albums
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Miracle of Science' was released in 1996, Marshall Crenshaw had established himself as a respected figure in the power pop genre, following his breakthrough debut in 1982. This album marked his return after a brief hiatus, showcasing his continued evolution as a songwriter and musician while maintaining the catchy hooks that defined his earlier work.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Matthew Sweet· The dB's· Big Star
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 (Soundbite) 0:11
- 2 What Do You Dream Of? 3:28
- 3 Who Stole That Train 3:32
- 4 Laughter 4:41
- 5 Twenty‐five Forty‐one 3:22
- 6 Starless Summer Sky 3:11
- 7 Only an Hour Ago 4:07
- 8 A Wondrous Place 2:42
- 9 The “In” Crowd 3:36
- 10 Theme From “Flaregun” 4:47
- 11 Seven Miles an Hour 4:28
- 12 There and Back Again 5:13
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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