Moonswept
The Roches · 2007
48 min · 14 tracks · folk music
Harmonious melodies intertwine with poignant lyrics, creating a reflective and whimsical soundscape that defines The Roches' unique folk style.
Top tracks — play these first
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Us Little Kids — This track captures childhood nostalgia through vivid storytelling, illustrating the band's ability to blend humor with heartfelt emotion.
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Only You Know How — The song features exquisite harmonies and an introspective narrative that embodies the album's themes of longing and self-awareness.
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Jesus Shaves — A playful yet thought-provoking exploration of faith and modern life, this track showcases the group's signature wit and lyrical depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The Roches blend intricate harmonies and clever lyrics, showcasing their unique folk style while maintaining a reflective tone.
What we noticed
- The album features intricate vocal harmonies that often overlap, creating a rich tapestry of sound across multiple tracks.
- Several songs incorporate unconventional song structures, with shifts in tempo and dynamics that keep the listener engaged.
- Lyrically, the album balances whimsical storytelling with introspective themes, evident in tracks like 'Family of Bones' and 'September 11th at the Shambhala Center'.
- 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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7/10
- 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
- whimsical storytelling with warmth
- reflective moments for quiet introspection
- playful anthems for casual gatherings
- short tracks for easy enjoyment
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy excitement
- prefer long, sprawling compositions
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2007, Moonswept is The Roches' first studio album in over a decade, following 1995's Can We Go Home Now. This album marks a return to form for the trio, showcasing their signature harmonies and songwriting after a significant hiatus from recording.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Simon & Garfunkel· The Waifs· First Aid Kit
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Only You Know How
The shift from a hopeful tone to an acknowledgment of uncertainty creates a poignant contrast within the verses.
This structural choice deepens the emotional impact by juxtaposing optimism with vulnerability, engaging listeners on multiple levels.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Us Little Kids 3:10
- 2 Only You Know How 4:24
- 3 No Shoes 4:10
- 4 Moonswept 2:58
- 5 Family of Bones 3:00
- 6 The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane 3:34
- 7 Long Before 3:16
- 8 Piggy Mask 3:35
- 9 Huh 2:15
- 10 Stop Performing 3:10
- 11 Gung Ho 3:12
- 12 Instead I Chose 3:28
- 13 September 11th at the Shambhala Center 4:21
- 14 Jesus Shaves 4:16
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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