Randy Newman's Faust
Randy Newman · 1995
58 min · 17 tracks · blues
An eclectic blend of theatrical storytelling and melodic sophistication that intertwines humor with poignant social commentary.
Top tracks — play these first
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Glory Train Start here — The opening track sets the tone for the entire album, combining grand orchestration with a reflective narrative about redemption and hope.
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Bless the Children of the World — This track highlights Newman's sharp social commentary, using irony to address themes of innocence and societal neglect in a deceptively upbeat manner.
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Feels Like Home — A poignant ballad that showcases Newman's emotional depth, this song has become a beloved standard, illustrating themes of belonging and nostalgia.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's narrative depth and varied musical styles showcase Newman's songwriting prowess while maintaining a cohesive concept.
What we noticed
- The album features a narrative structure where each track contributes to the overarching story of Faust, with distinct musical styles that reflect different characters and themes.
- Several tracks incorporate orchestral arrangements alongside traditional blues elements, creating a dynamic soundscape that shifts throughout the record.
- The lyrics often employ irony and humor, with Newman using character perspectives to deliver social commentary, which can be verified by listening to the storytelling in each song.
- 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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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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
- theatrical storytelling with depth
- steady pacing for thoughtful listening
- narrative flow throughout the album
- reflective moments of introspection
- engaging character-driven perspectives
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy instant gratification
- prefer short standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Faust showcases a deliberate departure in concept and style, mixing humor with social commentary.
- Career context
- When Randy Newman released Faust in 1995, he was already an established songwriter and composer known for his unique blend of satire and emotion. This album came after the successful Toy Story soundtrack, showcasing Newman's ability to create complex narratives within his music while experimenting with a rock opera format.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Harry Nilsson· Leonard Cohen· Tom Waits
Tracklist
- 1 Glory Train Start here 4:45
- 2 Can't Keep a Good Man Down 2:45
- 3 How Great Our Lord 2:42
- 4 Best Little Girl 2:29
- 5 Northern Boy 2:54
- 6 Bless the Children of the World 3:50
- 7 Gainesville 3:29
- 8 Relax, Enjoy Yourself 5:41
- 9 Life Has Been Good to Me 3:28
- 10 Little Island 3:20
- 11 The Man 3:14
- 12 My Hero 2:35
- 13 I Gotta Be Your Man 2:31
- 14 Feels Like Home 4:26
- 15 Bleeding All Over the Place 4:15
- 16 Sandman's Coming 2:41
- 17 Happy Ending 3:19
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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