Second Album
Curved Air · 1971
42 min · 8 tracks · progressive rock
A vibrant blend of progressive rock with classical influences, featuring intricate arrangements and ethereal vocals that weave through each track.
Top tracks — play these first
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Back Street Luv — This track features catchy melodies and lush orchestration, becoming one of the band's most recognizable songs that helped define their sound.
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Jumbo — With its sweeping strings and dynamic shifts, Jumbo exemplifies Curved Air's ability to blend rock energy with classical sophistication.
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Piece of Mind — As the album's closing track, it showcases an expansive structure that combines improvisation with lyrical depth, highlighting the band's musicianship.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate arrangements and a unique blend of rock and classical elements, though it has some unevenness in pacing.
What we noticed
- Vocals are layered with harmonies that often intertwine with the instrumental arrangements, creating an ethereal quality throughout.
- Several tracks incorporate classical instruments, such as violin and cello, which blend seamlessly with electric guitar and keyboards.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- 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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- ethereal vocals with intricate arrangements
- vibrant bursts of youthful energy
- thoughtful explorations of emotional themes
- dynamic shifts in pacing and
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward, predictable songs
- want instant gratification from music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on September 9, 1971, Second Album was Curved Air's second studio effort following their successful debut, Air Conditioning. At this point in their career, the band was refining their unique sound and solidifying their place within the burgeoning progressive rock scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Gentle Giant· King Crimson· Van der Graaf Generator
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Young Mother 5:58
- 2 Back Street Luv 3:41
- 3 Jumbo 4:10
- 4 You Know 4:11
- 5 Puppets 5:29
- 6 Everdance 3:08
- 7 Bright Summer’s Day ’68 2:54
- 8 Piece of Mind 12:52
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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