What makes Putting the Days to Bed by The Long Winters notable?

The album received positive reviews from critics, appearing on several year-end lists and helping to establish The Long Winters as a significant act in the indie rock scene. Its blend of catchy melodies and thoughtful lyrics resonated with listeners, contributing to the band's growing fanbase during the mid-2000s indie resurgence. Putting the Days to Bed is The Long Winters' third studio album, released in 2006, following their critically acclaimed album, When I Pretend to Fall. At this stage, the band was solidifying their sound and expanding their lyrical themes, showcasing a mature blend of personal storytelling and broader social commentary.

How many songs are on Putting the Days to Bed?

Putting the Days to Bed has 15 tracks, running approximately 54 minutes.

Released 20 years ago

Putting the Days to Bed

The Long Winters · 2006

54 min · 15 tracks · indie rock

Melodic indie rock intertwines heartfelt lyrics with jangly guitars, creating an atmosphere of introspective warmth and bittersweet reflection.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Fire Island, AK — This track captures the album's thematic essence with its reflective storytelling about loss and longing, set against a backdrop of infectious melodies.
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Pushover — With its upbeat tempo and clever lyrics, this song exemplifies the band's knack for blending humor with vulnerability, making it a standout track.
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Hindsight — This contemplative ballad showcases introspective lyricism that delves into regret and acceptance, encapsulating the album's emotional depth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album features strong melodies and thoughtful lyrics but lacks a cohesive flow throughout its length.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features upbeat tracks that maintain a consistent tempo, while the second half introduces slower, more reflective songs.
Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies that create a rich texture, particularly in the choruses.
The lyrics often explore themes of introspection and relationships, with a conversational tone that invites listener engagement.

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: 5/10

Influence 4/10

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.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Hindsight

The verses detail a series of past mistakes with a tone that shifts from regret to acceptance by the song's conclusion.

This progression from reflection to resolution highlights the complexity of personal growth and the challenges of moving forward.

Tracklist

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

1 Rich Wife 3:56
2 Pushover 2:36
3 Fire Island, AK 3:42
4 Teaspoon 2:54
5 Ultimatum 3:06
6 Sky Is Open 3:11
7 Clouds 3:35
8 Honest 3:52
9 Hindsight 4:07
10 (It's a) Departure 3:04
11 Seven 3:30
12 The Commander Thinks Aloud 5:25
13 Ultimatum (acoustic) 3:38
14 Everything Is Talking 4:00
15 Delicate Hands 3:55

What to play next

Go back to

When I Pretend to Fall

2003

Full The Long Winters discography Artists like The Long Winters

indie rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata