What makes Secrets of the Witching Hour by The Crimea notable?

The album received significant attention within the indie music scene, praised for its inventive songwriting and production. It featured prominently on several UK independent charts and solidified The Crimea's reputation for blending accessible melodies with thoughtful lyrics, influencing subsequent artists in the genre. By the time 'Secrets of the Witching Hour' was released in January 2007, The Crimea had already established themselves as a notable act following their critically acclaimed debut 'Tragedy Rocks' in 2005. This album marked their continued evolution, as they experimented with sound and thematic complexity while navigating a shift in their lineup and label dynamics.

How many songs are on Secrets of the Witching Hour?

Secrets of the Witching Hour has 11 tracks, running approximately 38 minutes.

Secrets of the Witching Hour

The Crimea · 2007

38 min · 11 tracks · independent music

A kaleidoscopic blend of indie rock infused with psychedelic pop and introspective lyrical depth.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
All Conquering — Opening with an anthemic chorus, this track encapsulates the band's ability to merge catchy hooks with expansive instrumentation, setting the tone for the album.
→
Raining Planets — This track showcases a unique blend of whimsical lyrics and vibrant arrangements, highlighting the band's signature eclectic style while addressing themes of existential wonder.
→
Don't Close Your Eyes on Me — With its haunting melody and emotional depth, this track stands out as a poignant reflection on vulnerability and connection amidst a swirling musical backdrop.
→
Weird — The closing track offers a fitting culmination to the album, merging lyrical introspection with experimental sounds, leaving listeners with lingering thoughts on identity and perception.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases inventive songwriting and production but lacks a strong cohesive flow throughout its runtime.

What we noticed

The first three tracks feature layered instrumentation that builds in complexity, with each subsequent track introducing new melodic elements.
Several songs incorporate abrupt tempo changes, particularly 'Bombay Sapphire Coma', which shifts from a slow groove to a faster pace mid-song.
The album closes with 'Weird', which features an extended instrumental outro that contrasts sharply with the preceding lyrical content.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

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 All Conquering 3:29
2 The 48A Waiting Steps 3:23
3 Raining Planets 3:24
4 Man 3:37
5 Bombay Sapphire Coma 3:37
6 Don't Close Your Eyes on Me 3:46
7 Loop a Loop 3:35
8 Light Brigade 2:50
9 Several Thousand Years of Talking Nonsense 3:21
10 Requiem Aeternam 3:25
11 Weird 3:59

What to play next

Listen next

Square Moon

2013

Go back to

Tragedy Rocks

2005

Full The Crimea discography Artists like The Crimea

independent music

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata