What makes Music Inspired by Watership Down by Bo Hansson notable?

The album gained significant attention for its unique concept, being inspired by Richard Adams' beloved novel 'Watership Down', which introduced a blend of literary narrative with musical expression. It has been praised for its imaginative composition, leading to Hansson's recognition in both the rock genre and film scoring communities, influencing subsequent artists who sought to merge narrative storytelling with instrumental music. By the time 'Music Inspired by Watership Down' was released in 1977, Bo Hansson had already established himself as a notable figure in Swedish rock, having released his debut album 'Sagan om ringen' in 1970. This album further solidified his reputation for creating immersive soundscapes, particularly following his success with soundtracks that resonated with both progressive rock audiences and fans of literature.

How many songs are on Music Inspired by Watership Down?

Music Inspired by Watership Down has 6 tracks, running approximately 33 minutes.

Music Inspired by Watership Down

Bo Hansson · 1977

33 min · 6 tracks · rock music

A sweeping instrumental journey blending progressive rock textures with cinematic atmospheres inspired by nature and storytelling.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Born of the Gentle South — This expansive opening track sets the tone for the album, showcasing Hansson's ability to create vivid landscapes through rich instrumentation and thematic development.
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Trial and Adversity — With its dynamic shifts and emotive melodies, this track encapsulates the themes of struggle and resilience found within the narrative of 'Watership Down'.
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Legend and Light — This piece highlights Hansson’s knack for blending melodic lines with atmospheric textures, evoking a sense of hope and wonder pivotal to the story's core.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album's thematic development and seamless transitions create an immersive listening experience.

What we noticed

The album features six tracks, each averaging around five minutes, allowing for extended instrumental passages that develop themes gradually.
Each track transitions smoothly into the next, creating a continuous flow that mimics the journey of the narrative it is inspired by.

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: 8/10

Influence 4/10

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 Born of the Gentle South 15:38
2 Allegro for a Rescue 1:15
3 Legend and Light 3:26
4 Trial and Adversity 3:55
5 The Twice-Victory 7:50
6 The Kingdom Brightly Smiles 1:15

What to play next

Listen next

Mitt i livet

1985

Go back to

Attic Thoughts

1975

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rock music

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata