Older Than My Old Man Now cover

Older Than My Old Man Now

Loudon Wainwright III · 2012

54 min · 15 tracks · blues

A reflective blend of folk and blues that captures the complexities of aging with poignant storytelling.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    The Here & The Now Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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    Older Than My Old Man Now — The title track serves as a heartfelt meditation on generational relationships, blending humor with vulnerability as Wainwright confronts his own mortality.
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    I Remember Sex — This track stands out for its candid and playful examination of intimacy and nostalgia, contrasting sharply with the more somber themes present in other songs.
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    All in a Family — In this song, Wainwright cleverly navigates familial complexities through sharp lyrics, encapsulating both love and conflict within family dynamics.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

50 /100
Foothills
Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album blends folk and blues with reflective storytelling, showcasing Wainwright's lyrical depth and humor.

What we noticed

  • Several tracks incorporate spoken interludes or humorous asides, creating a dynamic contrast within the storytelling.
  • The instrumentation varies from solo guitar to fuller arrangements, with some tracks featuring piano and strings that enhance the emotional weight.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
6/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 3/10

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • steady reflective listening experience
  • personal storytelling with depth
  • intimate moments of introspection
  • thoughtful lyrics for contemplation
  • suitable for quiet evenings

Maybe skip if you

  • seeking high-energy excitement
  • prefering fast-paced tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Late Career Highlight — Showcases continued vitality and reflection on aging in a seasoned artist's catalog.
Themes
generational reflection· family dynamics· intimacy nostalgia
Career context
By the time 'Older Than My Old Man Now' was released in 2012, Loudon Wainwright III had established himself as a respected singer-songwriter with a career spanning over four decades. This album followed his 2010 release 'High, Wide & Handsome', continuing Wainwright's exploration of personal themes often drawn from his own life experiences.

Tracklist

  • 1 The Here & The Now Start here 3:43
  • 2 In C 5:48
  • 3 Older Than My Old Man Now 4:11
  • 4 Double Lifetime 2:18
  • 5 Date Line 2:55
  • 6 All in a Family 2:35
  • 7 My Meds 3:24
  • 8 Interlude 2:40
  • 9 Over the Hill 2:36
  • 10 Ghost Blues 4:04
  • 11 I Remember Sex 5:15
  • 12 Somebody Else 3:10
  • 13 The Days That We Die 4:05
  • 14 10 3:19
  • 15 Something’s Out to Get Me 4:06

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata