What makes Ollabelle by Ollabelle notable?

The album garnered critical acclaim and helped solidify Ollabelle's place in the Americana music scene. It was featured prominently on numerous year-end lists and received praise from major publications like Rolling Stone, further solidifying its impact on traditional and contemporary folk music. Ollabelle released their self-titled debut album in 2004, marking the beginning of their journey as a prominent force in the American roots music scene. This album introduced their unique sound, rooted in traditional folk and gospel music, at a time when the genre was experiencing a resurgence in popularity.

How many songs are on Ollabelle?

Ollabelle has 14 tracks, running approximately 59 minutes.

Ollabelle

Ollabelle · 2004

59 min · 14 tracks · traditional folk music

A harmonious blend of traditional folk and gospel, rich with soulful harmonies and acoustic instrumentation.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Soul of a Man — This track showcases the group's vocal harmonies and deep emotional resonance, reflecting their ability to blend spiritual themes with folk artistry.
→
Jesus on the Mainline — A lively rendition that exemplifies their roots in gospel music, it captures both energy and reverence while inviting listeners into a shared spiritual experience.
→
Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus — This song stands out for its infectious rhythm and vocal interplay, embodying the essence of community and joy that defines the album's spirit.

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 showcases strong vocal harmonies and traditional instrumentation but lacks a cohesive narrative flow across its length.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of vocal harmonies, with multiple singers layering their voices in call-and-response patterns throughout the tracks.
Instrumentation primarily consists of acoustic guitar, banjo, and mandolin, creating a warm, organic sound that supports the vocal arrangements.
Several tracks incorporate traditional gospel themes and structures, such as 'Jesus on the Mainline' and 'Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus', which anchor the album in its folk roots.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

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 Before This Time 2:18
2 Soul of a Man 3:59
3 Elijah Rock 5:23
4 Jesus on the Mainline 4:43
5 Get Back Temptation 2:50
6 I Am Waiting 4:15
7 Two Steps 3:53
8 No More My Lawd 4:41
9 Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus 4:23
10 The Storms Are on the Ocean 3:25
11 John the Revelator 4:09
12 I'm Willing to Run All the Way 5:54
13 I Don't Want to Be That Man 5:04
14 All Is Well 4:53

What to play next

Listen next

Riverside Battle Songs

2006

Full Ollabelle discography Artists like Ollabelle

traditional folk music

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata