Top tracks — play these first
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April Sun in Cuba — This track showcases Dragon's signature upbeat style, combining an irresistible melody with lyrics that evoke a sense of adventure and escapism.
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Some Strange Dream — The song stands out for its haunting melodies and introspective lyrics, providing a contrast to the more upbeat tracks while still maintaining the band's pop sensibility.
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Man Gone West — This track features a compelling narrative about loss and longing, underscored by rich instrumentation that highlights the band's musical versatility.
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 varied instrumentation but lacks a cohesive narrative throughout.
What we noticed
- The album opens with the hit single 'April Sun in Cuba', which sets a lively tone that persists through several upbeat tracks.
- Tracks vary in instrumentation, with some featuring prominent brass sections and others relying on guitar-driven melodies.
- The pacing shifts notably between tracks, with 'Bob’s Budgie Boogie' introducing a playful interlude before returning to more serious themes in subsequent songs.
- 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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5/10
- 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
- carefree summer road trip
- infectious sing-along choruses
- vibrant energy for gatherings
Maybe skip if you
- seeking deep emotional exploration
- prefer slow, contemplative music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Running Free was Dragon's second studio album, following their successful debut, This Time. Released in 1977, the album marked a period of growing popularity for the band in Australia, solidifying their sound and presence in the music scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Electric Light Orchestra· 10cc· Supertramp
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 April Sun in Cuba 3:27
- 2 Rose 3:37
- 3 Any Fool Can Tell You 4:43
- 4 Shooting Stars 3:32
- 5 Man Gone West 4:31
- 6 Bob’s Budgie Boogie 3:53
- 7 Some Strange Dream 3:15
- 8 Mr. Thunder 3:51
- 9 Since Your Changed Your Mind 3:41
- 10 Running Free 4:15
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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