Sanity Stomp
Kevin Coyne · 1980
64 min · 19 tracks · blues rock
A raw blend of blues rock, intertwining gritty guitar riffs with introspective lyrics and Coyne's distinctively expressive vocals.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Fat Man — Opening with a punchy rhythm and sardonic lyrics, this track sets the tone for the album's exploration of societal expectations and personal freedom.
-
→
When (See You Again)? — A poignant reflection on longing and uncertainty, this song showcases Coyne's ability to capture complex emotions with simplicity and depth.
-
→
No Romance — This track features a catchy melody paired with cynical lyrics about love's disillusionment, highlighting Coyne's knack for blending humor with heartfelt expression.
-
→
Wonderful Wilderness — Stretching nearly eight minutes, this epic closer encapsulates the album's themes of nature and existential reflection through its sprawling instrumentation and vivid imagery.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Coyne's expressive vocals and raw instrumentation create a distinctive blues rock sound, though cohesion suffers from its length.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a strong, gritty guitar riff in 'Fat Man' that sets a raw tone for the record.
- Coyne's vocals are consistently expressive, often shifting from soft introspection to powerful outbursts across tracks.
- Several tracks feature abrupt tempo changes, such as 'Taking on the World', which shifts from a slow groove to an energetic climax.
- The lyrics frequently blend personal experiences with social commentary, particularly evident in 'No Romance' and 'Fear of Breathing'.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- quirky storytelling with spontaneity
- short bursts of energetic fun
- cathartic moments of reflection
- playful irreverence throughout tracks
Maybe skip if you
- prefers polished production values
- seeks long, cohesive narratives
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1980, Sanity Stomp was Kevin Coyne's eighth studio album, following his acclaimed 1979 release, Billy's Back. By this time, Coyne had established himself as a notable figure in the British blues rock scene, known for his unconventional songwriting and eclectic sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- John Martyn· Captain Beefheart· Rory Gallagher
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
-
How Strange
The bridge introduces a sudden shift in perspective that questions reality amid personal crises.
This change alters the narrative focus, drawing listeners deeper into the psychological landscape Coyne navigates throughout the song.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Fat Man 2:34
- 2 The Monkey Man 3:08
- 3 How Strange 2:35
- 4 Somewhere in My Mind 3:27
- 5 When (See You Again)? 2:30
- 6 Taking on the World 3:15
- 7 No Romance 4:03
- 8 Too Dark (One for the Hero) 2:48
- 9 Admit You’re Wrong 4:00
- 10 Formula Eyes 2:10
- 11 New Motorway 2:58
- 12 A Loving Hand 3:07
- 13 Fear of Breathing 3:34
- 14 In Silence 4:36
- 15 Take on the Bowers 3:17
- 16 Wonderful Wilderness 7:49
- 17 My Wife Says 3:58
- 18 The World Speaks 2:27
- 19 You Can’t Kill Us 2:03
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.