Pushin' Against a Stone
Valerie June · 2013
56 min · 15 tracks · blues
A blend of blues, soul, and roots music wrapped in Valerie June's hauntingly expressive vocals and intricate storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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Workin’ Woman Blues — This track serves as an empowering anthem for working women, combining traditional blues elements with modern sensibilities in both its lyrics and melody.
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Somebody to Love — The song's soulful plea for connection showcases June's ability to blend heartfelt emotion with rich musical textures, making it unforgettable.
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Pushin’ Against a Stone — As the title track, it encapsulates the album's themes of resilience and struggle, featuring a powerful vocal performance that commands attention.
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Tennessee Time — This track highlights June's storytelling prowess, weaving personal narrative with cultural references that resonate deeply within the Southern tradition.
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 unique vocal delivery, though its cohesion is slightly affected by varied moods.
What we noticed
- The first track opens with a strong, rhythmic groove that sets a confident tone, while subsequent tracks explore varying tempos and instrumentation.
- Several tracks feature abrupt transitions in mood, such as the shift from the upbeat 'Wanna Be on Your Mind' to the more introspective 'Trials, Troubles, Tribulations'.
- The album closes with a live version of 'Workin’ Woman Blues', which contrasts with the studio recordings by adding an element of spontaneity.
- 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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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
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
- heartfelt storytelling and emotion
- vibrant energy for gatherings
- soulful reflections on life
- catchy melodies for sing-alongs
- steady pacing with variety
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification
- seek strictly instrumental tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in early 2013, Pushin' Against a Stone was Valerie June's debut studio album, following her earlier EPs. This record marked her emergence as a distinct voice in the Americana and roots music landscape, showcasing her unique blend of influences from various genres.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Nina Simone· Rhiannon Giddens· Leon Bridges
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Workin’ Woman Blues 3:10
- 2 Somebody to Love 3:35
- 3 The Hour 3:52
- 4 Twined & Twisted 3:16
- 5 Wanna Be on Your Mind 3:59
- 6 Tennessee Time 3:16
- 7 Pushin’ Against a Stone 5:13
- 8 Trials, Troubles, Tribulations 3:06
- 9 You Can’t Be Told 3:20
- 10 Shotgun 3:10
- 11 On My Way 8:01
Disc 2
- 1 Heart on a String 2:57
- 2 Hey 3:53
- 3 This World Is Not My Home 2:33
- 4 Workin Woman Blues (live From Blacks) 3:19
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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