Pasture Prime
Asleep at the Wheel · 1985
62 min · 14 tracks · country music
A spirited blend of Western swing and classic country, infused with playful storytelling and vibrant instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
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Across the Alley From the Alamo — This opening track captures the essence of Western swing with its lively tempo and nostalgic lyrics, setting an inviting tone for the album.
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Switchin’ in the Kitchen — Featuring a catchy melody and playful lyrics about domestic life, this song exemplifies the band's knack for combining humor with musicality.
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Liar’s Moon — With its poignant storytelling and heartfelt delivery, this track showcases the emotional depth that balances the album's energetic moments.
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Cotton Eyed Joe — This rendition revitalizes a traditional folk song into a danceable track that highlights the band's ability to bring old tunes back to life.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong musicianship and playful storytelling but loses cohesion with its final track.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a lively track that sets a brisk tempo, maintaining an upbeat energy through the first half before slowing down in the latter part.
- Several tracks feature call-and-response vocals, enhancing the playful storytelling aspect of the lyrics.
- Instrumentation prominently includes fiddles and steel guitars, creating a rich texture characteristic of Western swing.
- The final track is an interview, which disrupts the musical flow and feels disconnected from the preceding songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- 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
Significant within its genre. 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
- playful tunes for social gatherings
- short bursts of lively energy
- wave-like pacing with surprises
- nostalgic vibes for road trips
- engaging storytelling with humor
Maybe skip if you
- prefer slow, soundscapes
- seek deep, introspective tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- In 1985, Asleep at the Wheel released 'Pasture Prime' as their fifth studio album, following the successful 'Ride With Bob' from 1976. The band was solidifying their place in the country music scene after a series of lineup changes and gaining recognition for reviving Western swing.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Riders in the Sky· The Time Jumpers· Dale Watson
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Across the Alley From the Alamo 2:54
- 2 Switchin’ in the Kitchen 4:16
- 3 Write Your Own Song 2:30
- 4 Cotton Eyed Joe 2:21
- 5 Baby 3:48
- 6 Shorty 3:49
- 7 The Chick’s Too Young to Fry 2:17
- 8 Big Beaver 3:17
- 9 This Is the Way We Make a Broken Heart 3:23
- 10 Deep Water 3:05
- 11 The Natural Thing to Do 4:02
- 12 Liar’s Moon 3:32
- 13 That’s Your Red Wagon 5:02
- 14 Interview 17:48
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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