Is Rain or Shine a good place to start with Paul Carrack?

Yes, Rain or Shine is recommended as a starting point for new Paul Carrack listeners. A smooth blend of blue-eyed soul and soft rock, characterized by heartfelt melodies and Carrack's signature warm vocals. Released in December 2013, Rain or Shine marked Paul Carrack’s return to solo work after years of collaboration with various bands, including Squeeze and Ace. This album came after his previous solo effort, Old, New, Borrowed and Blue (2011), showcasing Carrack's continued evolution as a songwriter and artist at a mature stage in his career.

Who is Rain or Shine for?

Rain or Shine works well if you're into steady mid-tempo emotional flow, heartfelt melodies for reflection and for afternoon relaxation.

How many songs are on Rain or Shine?

Rain or Shine has 10 tracks, running approximately 35 minutes.

Rain or Shine

Paul Carrack · 2013

35 min · 10 tracks · pop rock

A smooth blend of blue-eyed soul and soft rock, characterized by heartfelt melodies and Carrack's signature warm vocals.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Stepping Stone Start here — This opening track captures Carrack's lyrical introspection and features a catchy melody that sets the tone for the album's exploration of love and resilience.
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(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right — Carrack's rendition of this classic infuses it with his distinctive soulful touch, showcasing his ability to reinterpret popular songs while adding personal depth.
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Time Waits for No One — The reflective lyrics paired with an engaging arrangement highlight Carrack's knack for combining emotional themes with accessible pop melodies.

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 solid songwriting and polished production but lacks standout tracks that elevate it further.

What we noticed

The first five tracks maintain a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the sixth track introduces a slower ballad that shifts the album's energy.
Carrack's vocal delivery is prominent throughout, often layered with harmonies that enhance the emotional weight of the lyrics.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. 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 mid-tempo emotional flow
heartfelt melodies for reflection
for afternoon relaxation
soulful warmth in every track

Maybe skip if you

prefer fast-paced instant gratification
seek experimental or avant-garde styles

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and strong songwriting in Carrack's later career.
Themes: heartfelt resilience· mature love reflections· soulful reinterpretation
Career context: Released in December 2013, Rain or Shine marked Paul Carrack’s return to solo work after years of collaboration with various bands, including Squeeze and Ace. This album came after his previous solo effort, Old, New, Borrowed and Blue (2011), showcasing Carrack's continued evolution as a songwriter and artist at a mature stage in his career.
Stylistic neighbors: Michael McDonald· Hall & Oates· Billy Joel