Purple
Baroness · 2015
42 min · 10 tracks · progressive metal
A vibrant fusion of progressive and sludge metal, infused with emotional depth and melodic exploration.
Top tracks — play these first
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Shock Me — This track stands out for its infectious chorus and driving rhythm, encapsulating Baroness's blend of heaviness and melody while addressing themes of personal struggle.
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Chlorine & Wine — The juxtaposition of delicate verses with intense choruses highlights the band's dynamic range, exploring complex emotions through vivid imagery and intricate instrumentation.
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Desperation Burns — With its urgent tempo and cathartic lyrics, this track embodies the overarching themes of turmoil and resilience present throughout the album, making it a significant highlight.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and production but has moments that disrupt its flow.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features high-energy tracks that blend intricate guitar work with dynamic shifts in tempo.
- The fifth track, 'Fugue', is an instrumental interlude that contrasts sharply with the preceding songs, creating a moment of reflection.
- Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies, enhancing the emotional weight of the lyrics and melodies.
- 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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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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
- steady builds toward cathartic release
- melodic undertones with heavy riffs
- consistent progression through themes
- reflective moments amidst driving energy
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer standalone tracks over cohesion
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on December 18, 2015, 'Purple' was Baroness's fourth studio album and the first since a serious bus accident that injured several band members in 2012. This album marked a return to form, showcasing their evolution as musicians while grappling with themes of recovery and introspection. It followed the critically acclaimed 'Yellow & Green', pushing further into experimental territories.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Morningstar 4:16
- 2 Shock Me 4:17
- 3 Try to Disappear 4:52
- 4 Kerosene 5:10
- 5 Fugue 2:34
- 6 Chlorine & Wine 6:49
- 7 The Iron Bell 4:24
- 8 Desperation Burns 4:14
- 9 If I Have to Wake Up (Would You Stop the Rain?) 5:41
- 10 Crossroads of Infinity 0:16
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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