Roger McGuinn
Roger McGuinn · 1973
35 min · 11 tracks · country music
A blend of folk-rock and country-infused melodies, featuring introspective lyrics and McGuinn's signature jangly guitar work.
Top tracks — play these first
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I'm So Restless — Opening the album, this track establishes McGuinn's introspective songwriting style and jangly guitar sound that defines his solo work.
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Lost My Drivin' Wheel — This song showcases McGuinn's ability to blend storytelling with melody, reflecting on themes of loss and longing with a catchy chorus.
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The Water Is Wide — A traditional folk song reimagined through McGuinn's lens, it highlights his vocal strengths and emotional delivery, bridging folk roots with rock sensibilities.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases McGuinn's signature guitar work and lyrical introspection but lacks a strong thematic cohesion.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features upbeat tracks with a consistent tempo, while the second half introduces slower ballads that shift the overall mood.
- McGuinn's guitar work is prominent throughout, often featuring jangly riffs that are characteristic of his style, particularly in tracks like 'I'm So Restless' and 'Lost My Drivin' Wheel'.
- Several songs incorporate layered harmonies, creating a fuller sound that contrasts with the more stripped-down arrangements found in other tracks.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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
- thoughtful reflections on relationships
- easygoing tunes for afternoon drives
- brief tracks for quick listens
- nostalgic melodies with jangly guitars
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy anthems
- prefer longer, epic compositions
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in January 1973, Roger McGuinn marked the artist's self-titled debut as a solo act following his tenure with The Byrds. At this point, he was transitioning from a band leader to an individual artist, showcasing his distinctive sound while exploring personal themes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Byrds· Gram Parsons· Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 I'm So Restless 3:10
- 2 My New Woman 2:31
- 3 Lost My Drivin' Wheel 4:24
- 4 Draggin' 3:40
- 5 Time Cube 3:19
- 6 Bag Full of Money 3:22
- 7 Hannoi Hannah 2:53
- 8 Stone 3:04
- 9 Heave Away 3:06
- 10 M'Linda 2:45
- 11 The Water Is Wide 3:07
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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