Released 54 years ago this October
Rhymes & Reasons
Carole King · 1972
35 min · 12 tracks · folk rock
A soothing blend of soft rock and folk melodies underscored by introspective lyrics and King's signature piano-driven arrangements.
Top tracks — play these first
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Been to Canaan — This track encapsulates the album's themes of hope and resilience through its uplifting melody and reflective lyrics about finding peace after hardship.
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Come Down Easy Start here — The opening track sets a contemplative tone with its gentle instrumentation and rich emotional resonance, inviting listeners into King's introspective world.
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Goodbye Don’t Mean I’m Gone — A poignant exploration of relationships and farewells, this song features heartfelt lyrics that highlight King's ability to convey complex emotions succinctly.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong songwriting and varied pacing, but lacks the impact of her previous work.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the subsequent tracks introduce more varied rhythms and instrumentation.
- Several songs incorporate layered vocal harmonies that enhance the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- The album closes with a gentle ballad that contrasts with the more upbeat tracks earlier in the sequence.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- 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
- steady mid-tempo reflective moments
- gentle melodies for quiet evenings
- introspective listening during solitude
- uplifting tones for daily resilience
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of high-energy tracks
- prefer standalone singles over albums
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Fan Favorite — Beloved by fans for its introspective lyrics and soothing melodies, following Tapestry's success.
- Career context
- Released in 1972, Rhymes & Reasons was Carole King's fourth studio album, following her highly successful Tapestry in 1971. By this time, King had solidified her status as a prominent singer-songwriter, transitioning from her earlier career as a Brill Building composer to a solo artist known for her emotional depth and musical craftsmanship.
- Stylistic neighbors
- James Taylor· Joni Mitchell· Linda Ronstadt
Tracklist
- 1 Come Down Easy Start here 3:05
- 2 My My She Cries 2:18
- 3 Peace in the Valley 3:20
- 4 Feeling Sad Tonight 3:11
- 5 The First Day in August 2:47
- 6 Bitter With the Sweet 2:24
- 7 Goodbye Don’t Mean I’m Gone 3:33
- 8 Stand Behind Me 2:27
- 9 Gotta Get Through Another Day 2:33
- 10 I Think I Can Hear You 3:22
- 11 Ferguson Road 2:37
- 12 Been to Canaan 3:37
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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