Released 20 years ago
Nothing Left to Lose
Mat Kearney · 2006
56 min · 13 tracks · rock music
A blend of folk-infused rock and heartfelt pop melodies layered with introspective storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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Nothing Left to Lose — The title track encapsulates Kearney's signature blend of vulnerability and optimism, showcasing his ability to craft relatable narratives over an infectious melody.
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Crashing Down — This song features a catchy hook and explores themes of resilience amid adversity, making it a standout example of the album's emotional depth.
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Girl America — With its poignant lyrics reflecting on identity and belonging, this track highlights Kearney's knack for storytelling within accessible pop structures.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends folk and pop elements with introspective lyrics, but its overall structure and sound are somewhat conventional.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features upbeat tracks that maintain a consistent tempo, while the second half introduces slower ballads that shift the emotional tone.
- Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the chorus, enhancing the melodic hooks.
- The title track is positioned as the second song, creating a strong early impact that resonates throughout the rest of the album.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- 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
- uplifting tracks for introspection
- steady pacing for reflective moments
- sing-along melodies with friends
- mid-tempo energy for road trips
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek aggressive, fast-paced music
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album marked Kearney's mainstream recognition, peaking at number 16 on the Billboard 200.
- Career context
- Released in January 2006, Nothing Left to Lose was Mat Kearney's second studio album, following his debut, Bullet. At this point, Kearney was gaining traction after the moderate success of his first album, which set the stage for deeper exploration of personal themes and a more polished sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Jason Mraz· John Mayer· OneRepublic
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Undeniable 4:26
- 2 Nothing Left to Lose 4:24
- 3 Crashing Down 4:14
- 4 Girl America 4:03
- 5 In the Middle 4:16
- 6 Can't Break Her Fall 3:52
- 7 What's a Boy to Do 4:02
- 8 Wait 4:38
- 9 Bullet 4:23
- 10 All I Need 4:27
- 11 Renaissance 4:49
- 12 Where We Gonna Go From Here 4:06
- 13 Won't Back Down 5:10
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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