What makes Play It As It Lays by Patti Scialfa notable?

The album received positive reviews from critics, highlighting Scialfa's songwriting skills and emotional delivery. It debuted on the Billboard charts, further solidifying her presence as a solo artist within the rock genre. Released in 2007, Play It As It Lays marked Patti Scialfa's third studio album, following her 2003 release, 23rd Street Lullaby. At this point in her career, Scialfa was not only known as the wife of Bruce Springsteen but also as a respected artist with a distinctive voice in rock music.

How many songs are on Play It As It Lays?

Play It As It Lays has 10 tracks, running approximately 39 minutes.

Play It As It Lays

Patti Scialfa · 2007

39 min · 10 tracks · rock music

A blend of introspective lyrics and melodic rock, underscored by a subtle yet powerful emotional depth.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Looking for Elvis — This opening track sets the tone with its captivating narrative about searching for meaning in fame, showcasing Scialfa's storytelling prowess.
→
Town Called Heartbreak — With its poignant exploration of loss and longing, this track encapsulates the album's emotional core and demonstrates Scialfa's lyrical depth.
→
Play It as It Lays — The title track features a haunting melody that underscores themes of disillusionment and perseverance, making it a standout reflection on life's challenges.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

54 /100

Foothills

Higher than 43% of albums we've rated

The album features strong songwriting and emotional delivery but lacks broad recognition.

What we noticed

The first three tracks establish a mid-tempo groove, while the fourth track introduces a more upbeat rhythm that contrasts with the preceding songs.
Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the emotional weight of the lyrics.
The album closes with a gradual deceleration in tempo, as the last two tracks shift to more introspective themes and arrangements.

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: 7/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. 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 Looking for Elvis 4:00
2 Like Any Woman Would 4:14
3 Town Called Heartbreak 5:29
4 Play Around 3:51
5 Rainy Day Man 4:03
6 The Word 3:47
7 Bad for You 3:39
8 Run Run Run 3:25
9 Play It as It Lays 4:24
10 Black Ladder 2:14

What to play next

Go back to

23rd St. Lullaby

2004

Full Patti Scialfa discography Artists like Patti Scialfa

rock music

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata