Riot on an Empty Street
Kings of Convenience · 2004
44 min · 12 tracks · folk music
A delicate interplay of soft melodies and harmonized vocals, capturing a tranquil yet introspective mood throughout the album.
Top tracks — play these first
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I'd Rather Dance With You — This track embodies the album's playful spirit with its catchy rhythm and lyrics that celebrate carefree love and intimacy, making it an instant favorite.
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Misread — The song stands out for its poignant exploration of miscommunication in relationships, combining introspective lyrics with soothing melodies that highlight the duo's harmonic prowess.
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Homesick — Opening the album, this track sets a reflective tone with its evocative imagery and gentle instrumentation, perfectly encapsulating the themes of longing and nostalgia prevalent throughout.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong melodies and harmonies but is less impactful compared to contemporaries in the genre.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features tracks that maintain a consistent mid-tempo, while the second half introduces more varied pacing and instrumentation.
- Vocals are often layered in harmonies, with two primary singers alternating lines rather than verses, creating a conversational feel.
- Several tracks incorporate subtle instrumental interludes that bridge vocal sections, enhancing the overall flow without disrupting the mood.
- 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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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, consistent energy levels
- long, immersive listening sessions
- intimate, reflective soundscapes
- gradual builds and payoffs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2004, Riot on an Empty Street is Kings of Convenience's second album, following their debut, Quiet Is the New Loud, which established their gentle folk style. This album marked their growing international recognition as they honed their sound and lyrical themes, solidifying their place in the acoustic pop scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Simon & Garfunkel· Iron & Wine· Sufjan Stevens
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Homesick 3:13
- 2 Misread 3:08
- 3 Cayman Islands 3:03
- 4 Stay Out of Trouble 5:04
- 5 Know-How 3:58
- 6 Sorry or Please 3:47
- 7 Love Is No Big Truth 3:48
- 8 I'd Rather Dance With You 3:29
- 9 Live Long 2:58
- 10 Surprise Ice 4:23
- 11 Gold in the Air of Summer 3:34
- 12 The Build-Up 4:06
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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