Released 13 years ago this October
Silver Bell
Patty Griffin · 2013
59 min · 14 tracks · folk music
A haunting blend of introspective lyrics and delicate melodies that weave personal narratives with a sense of longing and vulnerability.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Little God — This track opens the album with an ethereal quality, combining poignant lyrics about spirituality with haunting melodies that set the tone for the entire record.
-
→
Boston — In this song, Griffin captures a vivid sense of place and nostalgia, blending personal reflection with broader themes of loss and longing through evocative imagery.
-
→
Silver Bell — The title track encapsulates the album's essence, featuring a melodic simplicity paired with deeply resonant lyrics that explore themes of connection and heartache.
-
→
Mother of God — This powerful ballad showcases Griffin's vocal range and emotional intensity, addressing themes of faith and existential questioning with striking honesty.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong songwriting and emotional depth but lacks some cohesion in its pacing.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature a steady build in intensity, with the fourth track introducing a more upbeat tempo before returning to a slower pace.
- Many songs incorporate layered vocal harmonies that create a rich texture, particularly in the choruses.
- Several tracks utilize sparse instrumentation, allowing Griffin's voice and lyrics to take center stage, especially in 'Mother of God' and 'Fragile'.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
6/10
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
- introspective lyrics for contemplation
- steady pacing with emotional peaks
- haunting melodies for quiet moments
- soulful vocals for reflective listening
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat party vibes
- prefer instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2013, Silver Bell is Patty Griffin's sixth studio album, following her acclaimed record American Kid from 2013. At this point in her career, Griffin was establishing herself as a significant voice in contemporary folk, known for her poignant storytelling and emotive performances.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Dar Williams· Neko Case· Brandi Carlile
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Little God 5:03
- 2 Truth #2 4:31
- 3 Boston 4:02
- 4 Perfect White Girls 3:48
- 5 Sooner or Later 3:25
- 6 What You Are 4:43
- 7 Silver Bell 3:09
- 8 Fragile 3:39
- 9 Mother of God 4:15
- 10 One More Girl 5:01
- 11 Sorry and Sad 3:14
- 12 Driving 4:18
- 13 Top of the World 5:00
- 14 So Long 5:05
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.