Permanent Shade of Blue cover

Permanent Shade of Blue

Andrew Roachford · 1994

51 min · 12 tracks · pop rock

A blend of soulful melodies and pop-infused instrumentation that captures the essence of 90s British rock.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Lay Your Love on Me — This track exemplifies Roachford's signature blend of heartfelt lyrics and infectious melodies, making it an enduring favorite among fans.
  • →
    Only to Be With You — Opening the album with its smooth, soulful vibe, this song sets the emotional tone and highlights Roachford's vocal range.
  • →
    Ride the Storm — This track showcases a more introspective side of Roachford, with powerful lyrics reflecting resilience and emotional turmoil.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

46 /100
Foothills
Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album showcases solid songwriting and production typical of its era, but lacks standout tracks that elevate it beyond its contemporaries.

What we noticed

  • The first half of the album features upbeat tracks that maintain a consistent mid-tempo, while the second half introduces slower ballads and introspective themes.
  • Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the emotional impact of the melodies.
  • The instrumentation blends electric guitars with brass elements, creating a rich sound that is characteristic of 90s pop rock.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
5/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

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.

Tracklist

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

  • 1 Only to Be With You 4:19
  • 2 Johnny 4:48
  • 3 Emergency 4:37
  • 4 Lay Your Love on Me 4:06
  • 5 Ride the Storm 3:58
  • 6 This Generation 4:08
  • 7 I Know You Don’t Love Me 5:43
  • 8 Gus’s Blues (intro) 0:31
  • 9 Do We Wanna Live Together 4:12
  • 10 Cry for Me 4:34
  • 11 Guess I Must Be Crazy 4:43
  • 12 Higher Love 5:23

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata