Ragged Ass Road
Tom Cochrane · 1995
53 min · 12 tracks · rock music
A tapestry of heartland rock melodies woven with storytelling lyrics and anthemic choruses that evoke the spirit of the open road.
Top tracks — play these first
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Wildest Dreams — This track embodies Cochrane's knack for crafting uplifting narratives, blending nostalgia with a sense of hope that resonates widely.
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Ragged Ass Road — The title track serves as a reflective anthem, capturing the essence of journeying through life's ups and downs with poignant imagery.
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I Wish You Well — Opening the album with heartfelt sincerity, this song sets the emotional tone and showcases Cochrane's lyrical depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid songwriting and production, though it remains within familiar rock territory.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent mid-tempo pace across most tracks, with only a few moments of slower ballads.
- Each song typically follows a verse-chorus structure, often culminating in an anthemic chorus that emphasizes the lyrical themes.
- Several tracks incorporate layered guitar harmonies and prominent keyboard arrangements, enhancing the heartland rock sound.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- 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
- introspective storytelling with heart
- reflective moments during long drives
- uplifting anthems for road trips
- cathartic release of emotions
- steady pacing for thoughtful listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced instant gratification
- seek purely instrumental experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By 1995, Tom Cochrane had already established himself as a prominent figure in Canadian rock, following the success of his previous album 'Mad Mad World' in 1991. 'Ragged Ass Road' marked his return after a four-year hiatus and reflected a maturation in his songwriting, addressing more personal themes while still embracing the expansive sound that characterized his earlier work.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Bryan Adams· Gordon Lightfoot· John Mellencamp
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 I Wish You Well 4:23
- 2 Wildest Dreams 4:11
- 3 Just Scream 4:53
- 4 Paper Tigers 3:55
- 5 Crawl 4:15
- 6 Ragged Ass Road 4:45
- 7 Flowers in the Concrete 4:02
- 8 Dreamer’s Dream 4:58
- 9 Message (Rise Up Again) 4:33
- 10 Best Waste of Time 4:36
- 11 Will of the Gun 4:46
- 12 Song Before I Leave 4:34
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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