Pomegranate
Astronautalis · 2008
40 min · 12 tracks · hip-hop
An eclectic blend of narrative-driven hip-hop and folk-inspired melodies with vivid storytelling and intricate wordplay.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Wondersmith and His Sons — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its rich storytelling, blending personal anecdotes with broader themes of legacy and creation.
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Secrets of the Undersea Bell — A standout for its whimsical imagery and clever wordplay, this track showcases Astronautalis's ability to weave fantastical narratives into his verses.
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The Story of My Life — This closing track encapsulates the album's introspective nature, reflecting on personal experiences while maintaining a conversational tone that resonates deeply.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Pomegranate showcases strong storytelling and genre blending, establishing Astronautalis's unique voice in alternative hip-hop.
What we noticed
- The first track opens with a spoken word introduction that sets a narrative tone, followed by a shift into rhythmic verses.
- The album includes multiple storytelling arcs across its tracks, with recurring themes and characters that develop throughout.
- The final track concludes with a reflective tone, contrasting the more energetic pieces earlier in the album.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- narrative-driven storytelling experience
- short tracks for quick engagement
- playful irreverence throughout the album
- dynamic pacing with varied lengths
Maybe skip if you
- prefer long, immersive albums
- seek straightforward musical structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- In 2008, Astronautalis was in a transitional phase, releasing Pomegranate as his third studio album after the critically acclaimed The Mighty Ocean and Nine Dark Theaters. This album came during a period when he was solidifying his unique style that fused hip-hop with indie rock and folk elements, setting him apart in the underground music scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Sage Francis· Busdriver· Aesop Rock
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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The Story of My Life
The final verse takes a reflective turn, shifting from external observations to intimate revelations about the narrator's past.
This structural shift deepens the emotional impact, contrasting earlier bravado with vulnerability that reveals a more complex character.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Wondersmith and His Sons 3:35
- 2 17 Summers 2:50
- 3 Secrets of the Undersea Bell 2:24
- 4 My Old Man’s Badge 2:24
- 5 Two Years Before the Mast 4:20
- 6 Mr. Blessington’s Imperialist Plot 2:52
- 7 An Episode of Sparrows 3:11
- 8 The Case of William Smith 4:16
- 9 The Trouble Hunters 3:36
- 10 Avalanche Patrol 4:06
- 11 The Most Important Track on the Album 2:45
- 12 The Story of My Life 3:36
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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