Show Your Hand
Average White Band · 1973
41 min · 8 tracks · blue-eyed soul
A vibrant blend of blue-eyed soul and funk that showcases tight rhythms and smooth melodies with a distinctive groove.
Top tracks — play these first
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Put It Where You Want It — This track exemplifies the band's ability to merge catchy hooks with intricate musicianship, featuring tight instrumentation and engaging vocal harmonies.
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Twilight Zone — With its compelling groove and soulful melody, this song highlights the band's skill in crafting evocative musical narratives that draw listeners in.
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Show Your Hand — The title track encapsulates the band's essence, blending infectious rhythms with heartfelt lyrics that invite listener participation.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid songwriting and performance but lacks the depth to stand out in its genre over time.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a strong horn section that sets a lively tone, and the first three tracks maintain an upbeat tempo.
- Several tracks feature call-and-response vocals, enhancing the interaction between singers and instruments.
- The final two tracks slow down significantly, creating a contrast that allows for a more reflective mood before closing.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- 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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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
- steady groove for social gatherings
- mid-tempo flow for relaxed afternoons
- horn arrangements that invite dancing
- engaging melodies for easy listening
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of high-energy tracks
- prefer short, standalone songs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1973, Show Your Hand was Average White Band's debut album, arriving shortly after their formation in 1972. The album established their signature sound and laid the groundwork for their future success, including subsequent hits like 'Pick Up the Pieces'. It marked the beginning of their influence in the blue-eyed soul genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Tower of Power· Earth, Wind & Fire· Chic
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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This World Has Music
The bridge shifts from a reflective tone to an uplifting call to action, urging listeners to embrace music as a unifying force.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Jugglers 4:36
- 2 This World Has Music 5:53
- 3 Twilight Zone 5:24
- 4 Put It Where You Want It 4:59
- 5 Show Your Hand 4:23
- 6 Back in '67 4:09
- 7 Reach Out 4:03
- 8 T.L.C. 8:01
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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