Rockinghorse cover

Released 34 years ago this October

Rockinghorse

Alannah Myles · 1992

50 min · 10 tracks · blues

A blend of bluesy rock and introspective ballads, showcasing Myles' distinctive vocals against rich instrumental backdrops.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Our World Our Times — This opening track combines Myles' powerful vocals with poignant lyrics addressing social issues, setting a reflective tone for the album.
  • →
    Make Me Happy — With its upbeat tempo and catchy chorus, this track highlights Myles' ability to craft radio-friendly rock songs while maintaining emotional depth.
  • →
    Song Instead of a Kiss — This song stands out for its lyrical vulnerability and melodic structure, showcasing Myles' strength in blending storytelling with musicality.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

46 /100
Foothills
Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album blends upbeat rock with introspective ballads, showcasing solid craftsmanship but lacks standout compositions.

What we noticed

  • The first half of the album features upbeat tracks that maintain a consistent tempo, while the second half shifts to slower, more introspective ballads.
  • Several tracks incorporate layered guitar solos that complement Myles' vocal delivery, adding depth to the arrangements.
  • The lyrics across the album often reflect personal themes and storytelling, with a notable focus on emotional experiences.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
5/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 3/10

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 pacing for reflective moments
  • heartfelt ballads for emotional connection
  • consistent journey with satisfying resolution
  • background warmth for casual listening

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer fast-paced, upbeat tracks
  • seek standalone singles over cohesion

Where this album fits

Career context
Released on October 13, 1992, 'Rockinghorse' is Alannah Myles' third studio album, following her successful self-titled debut in 1989 and the sophomore effort 'Still Got This Thing'. At this point, she was navigating the challenge of maintaining commercial success after her initial hits while expanding her artistic range.
Stylistic neighbors
Pat Benatar· Bonnie Raitt· Melissa Etheridge

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Song Instead of a Kiss

    The bridge shifts into a moment of raw emotional honesty where the narrator expresses longing through vivid imagery of lost connections.

    This moment encapsulates a break from the song's earlier narrative style, intensifying the emotional impact by revealing deeper personal stakes.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Our World Our Times 6:25
  • 2 Make Me Happy 5:49
  • 3 Sonny Say You Will 5:08
  • 4 Tumbleweed 4:39
  • 5 Livin’ on a Memory 5:53
  • 6 Song Instead of a Kiss 5:04
  • 7 Love in the Big Town 4:49
  • 8 The Last Time I Saw William 4:15
  • 9 Lies and Rumours 5:07
  • 10 Rockinghorse 3:00

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata