What makes Shakespeare My Butt by The Lowest of the Low notable?

Shakespeare My Butt received critical acclaim upon release, often cited as one of the defining albums of Canadian rock in the early 90s. It gained a cult following and became influential among indie artists, with tracks like 'Rosy and Grey' resonating deeply within the Canadian music community. Released in 1991, Shakespeare My Butt marked The Lowest of the Low's debut album, establishing them as a prominent voice in the Canadian alternative rock scene. Following their formation in 1990, this album laid the foundation for their future endeavors and showcased their distinctive sound and lyrical storytelling.

How many songs are on Shakespeare My Butt?

Shakespeare My Butt has 17 tracks, running approximately 64 minutes.

Shakespeare My Butt

The Lowest of the Low · 1991

64 min · 17 tracks · alternative rock

A raw blend of jangly guitars and sharp lyrics, capturing the essence of early 90s Canadian alternative rock.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Rosy and Grey — This track stands out for its poignant exploration of nostalgia and loss, blending melancholic melodies with vivid storytelling that encapsulates the album's themes.
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Salesmen, Cheats and Liars — The biting social commentary in this song exemplifies the band's knack for sharp lyrics, painting a bleak yet relatable picture of disillusionment.
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Just About ‘The Only’ Blues — With its catchy hooks and clever wordplay, this track showcases the band’s ability to mix humor with melancholy, making it emblematic of their style.

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 strong songwriting and a distinctive sound that resonates within its genre.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of jangly guitar riffs that drive most tracks, creating a bright yet raw sound.
Lyrically, the songs often employ sharp, narrative-driven storytelling, with a focus on personal and social themes.
Several tracks feature abrupt tempo changes, particularly in the transitions between verses and choruses, which adds to the dynamic feel of the record.

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

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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 4 O’Clock Stop 3:28
2 So Long Bernie 3:55
3 Just About ‘The Only’ Blues 4:29
4 Salesmen, Cheats and Liars 3:28
5 Rosy and Grey 5:03
6 Kinda’ the Lonely One 2:51
7 Eternal Fatalist 3:28
8 For the Hand of Magdelena 3:35
9 Subversives 3:14
10 Bleed a Little While Tonight 5:17
11 Bloodline 3:43
12 St. Brendan’s Way 4:10
13 Letter From Bilbao 2:08
14 Under the Carlaw Bridge 4:11
15 The Taming of Carolyn 4:16
16 Gossip Talkin’ Blues 3:25
17 Henry Needs a New Pair of Shoes 3:44

What to play next

Listen next

Hallucigenia

1994

Full The Lowest of the Low discography Artists like The Lowest of the Low

alternative rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata