Scraps at Midnight
Mark Lanegan · 1998
40 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock
A haunting blend of melancholy melodies and raw, gravelly vocals that echo with introspective depth.
Top tracks — play these first
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Hospital Roll Call Start here — This opening track captures the album's somber tone with its vivid imagery of isolation and longing, setting the stage for Lanegan's introspective journey.
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Last One in the World — With its haunting melody and poignant lyrics, this track exemplifies Lanegan's ability to evoke deep emotional resonance while exploring themes of despair and solitude.
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Because of This — The album's closing track extends to over eight minutes, showcasing an atmospheric soundscape that encapsulates the overall mood of reflection and melancholy present throughout the record.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong songwriting and distinct vocals, creating a unique sound within alternative rock.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a slow, brooding track that sets a somber tone, followed by a gradual build in intensity across the first half.
- Lanegan's vocal delivery is consistently raw and gravelly, often layered with reverb to enhance the haunting atmosphere.
- Several tracks feature sparse instrumentation, allowing for moments of silence that emphasize the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- 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
- haunting melodies for introspection
- steady pacing for focused listening
- atmospheric exploration of isolation
- cathartic moments of quiet reflection
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, lively tracks
- seek instant gratification
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Established Lanegan as a notable solo artist after Screaming Trees.
- Career context
- Scraps at Midnight was Mark Lanegan's first solo album after his tenure with the influential grunge band Screaming Trees. Released in 1998, it marked a significant shift in his career towards a more personal and introspective sound, distancing him from his rock roots.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Greg Dulli· Nick Cave· Jeff Buckley
Tracklist
- 1 Hospital Roll Call Start here 2:58
- 2 Hotel 3:10
- 3 Stay 3:29
- 4 Bell Black Ocean 2:43
- 5 Last One in the World 4:24
- 6 Wheels 4:35
- 7 Waiting on a Train 4:32
- 8 Day and Night 3:16
- 9 Praying Ground 3:07
- 10 Because of This 8:19
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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