What makes One Small Step by John Butler notable?

'One Small Step' received critical acclaim upon its release, showcasing Butler's growth as a songwriter and musician. The album features the notable track 'Ocean,' which has become a hallmark of his live performances and is often cited for its technical guitar work. In 2007, John Butler released 'One Small Step' as his fourth studio album, following the commercially successful 'Sunrise Over Sea' from 2004. At this point in his career, Butler was solidifying his reputation as an influential figure in the roots and acoustic music scenes while expanding his sound.

How many songs are on One Small Step?

One Small Step has 8 tracks, running approximately 41 minutes.

One Small Step

John Butler · 2007

41 min · 8 tracks · bluegrass music

A fusion of bluegrass, roots rock, and folk inflected with a laid-back vibe and soulful storytelling.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Ocean — This instrumental piece highlights Butler's virtuosity on the guitar, blending intricate fingerstyle techniques with emotional depth that resonates throughout the album.
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Used to Get High — Opening with an infectious groove, this track captures themes of personal reflection and nostalgia, setting the tone for the album's introspective journey.
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Funky Tonight — With its upbeat tempo and funky rhythms, this track showcases Butler's ability to blend genres while maintaining a lively spirit that invites listeners to dance.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

56 /100

Foothills

Higher than 47% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong songwriting and musicianship but lacks a cohesive narrative across its tracks.

What we noticed

The album opens with a mid-tempo track that features a prominent banjo line, setting a laid-back tone that persists throughout.
Several tracks feature call-and-response vocals, enhancing the communal feel typical of bluegrass music.

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: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Used to Get High 4:18
2 Treat Yo Mama 5:41
3 Daniella 3:22
4 Ocean 9:53
5 Better Than 4:20
6 Zebra 3:53
7 Fire in the Sky 3:47
8 Funky Tonight 6:03

What to play next

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata