Shade
Holly Cole · 2003
46 min · 12 tracks · jazz
A sultry blend of jazz and pop that envelops the listener in a warm, intimate atmosphere.
Top tracks — play these first
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God Only Knows — This track highlights Cole's ability to infuse emotional depth into a classic while maintaining its original charm, making it a standout moment on the album.
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It Never Entered My Mind — The haunting quality of Cole's vocals here transforms this standard into something deeply personal, showcasing her interpretive prowess.
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Almost Like Being in Love — Cole's playful delivery and the song's upbeat tempo juxtapose beautifully against the more introspective tracks, providing a refreshing contrast within the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Shade showcases Holly Cole's vocal prowess and intricate arrangements, making it a notable entry in her discography.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of lush string arrangements that complement Cole's vocals, creating a warm and intimate atmosphere.
- Several tracks include subtle tempo changes, with moments where the instrumentation drops out to highlight Cole's voice.
- The first half of the album maintains a slower tempo, while the second half introduces slightly more upbeat tracks, providing a dynamic shift.
- 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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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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
- intimate evenings with friends
- sultry ambiance for relaxation
- slow-paced romantic moments
- warm background for conversation
- nostalgic reflections on love
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy dynamics
- prefer fast-paced listening
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2003, Shade is Holly Cole's sixth studio album and showcases her continued evolution as an artist after her breakthrough in the early 1990s. At this point, she had already established a unique sound characterized by her distinctive voice and interpretive style, making this album a significant addition to her discography.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Norah Jones· Diana Krall· Madeleine Peyroux
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Heatwave 3:40
- 2 Something Cool 3:58
- 3 Too Darn Hot 3:13
- 4 God Only Knows 4:27
- 5 A Cottage for Sale 3:43
- 6 We Kiss in a Shadow 2:26
- 7 It Never Entered My Mind 4:26
- 8 Manhattan 3:58
- 9 Moonglow 4:21
- 10 Almost Like Being in Love 4:03
- 11 The Midnight Sun 5:14
- 12 Lazy Afternoon 3:07
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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