Salty
The Mutton Birds · 1993
63 min · 14 tracks
A blend of jangly guitars and introspective lyrics wrapped in a distinctly Kiwi sound that captures the essence of 90s alternative rock.
Top tracks — play these first
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Anchor Me — This track became an anthem for the band, featuring poignant lyrics that reflect on longing and connection, making it a staple in New Zealand music.
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Queen's English — With its intricate melodies and clever wordplay, this song highlights the band's lyrical prowess and showcases their unique sound within the album.
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Esther — A quieter moment on the album, this track emphasizes emotional depth through sparse instrumentation and intimate vocals, illustrating the band's versatility.
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Don't Fight It Marsha, It's Bigger Than Both of Us — The closing track encapsulates the band's fusion of storytelling and musicality, leaving listeners with a lasting impression of their artistry.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends jangly guitars with introspective lyrics, capturing the essence of its era while maintaining a distinct sound.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and dynamics.
- Several tracks incorporate layered guitar melodies that create a rich, jangly texture characteristic of 90s alternative rock.
- The lyrics often reflect personal and introspective themes, with a focus on storytelling that invites listener engagement.
- 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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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
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.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Heater 4:26
- 2 Ngaire 4:01
- 3 When the Wind Comes Round 5:35
- 4 You Will Return 4:42
- 5 Wellington 3:12
- 6 In My Room 4:38
- 7 Queen's English 7:13
- 8 Salty My Dear 1:23
- 9 There's a Limit 4:17
- 10 Esther 2:50
- 11 No Telling When 5:37
- 12 Anchor Me 4:33
- 13 Too Close to the Sun 5:38
- 14 Don't Fight It Marsha, It's Bigger Than Both of Us 5:44
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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