Sister Kinderhook
Rasputina · 2010
51 min · 14 tracks · gothic rock
Dark, haunting melodies intertwine with rich cello arrangements, creating a surreal and atmospheric listening experience.
Top tracks — play these first
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Sweet Sister Temperance — This opening track encapsulates the album's atmospheric essence with its haunting vocals and evocative storytelling, setting the tone for the entire record.
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Holocaust of Giants — The song features striking imagery that critiques historical narratives, showcasing Rasputina's ability to blend personal reflection with broader societal commentary.
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Calico Indians — With its lush instrumentation and poignant lyrics, this track exemplifies the band’s unique fusion of folk elements within a gothic framework, highlighting their artistic versatility.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases unique arrangements and strong craftsmanship but has a somewhat uneven flow.
What we noticed
- The album features a prominent use of cello throughout, with intricate arrangements that often lead the melody.
- Tracks frequently shift dynamics, alternating between hauntingly quiet passages and more intense, climactic moments.
- Several songs incorporate unconventional song structures, eschewing traditional verse-chorus forms in favor of narrative-driven progressions.
- 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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8/10
- 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
- melancholic atmospheric explorations
- dynamic journey with varied pacing
- haunting melodies for introspection
- evocative storytelling through sound
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer standalone catchy singles
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Sister Kinderhook' was released in 2010, Rasputina had established themselves as a unique voice in the gothic rock scene, following their previous album 'Oh Perilous World' from 2004. This album marked their return after a six-year hiatus, showcasing a matured sound while continuing to explore themes of history and fantasy through their signature use of cello and ethereal vocals.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Birthday Massacre· Lacuna Coil· Evanescence
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Sweet Sister Temperance 4:48
- 2 Holocaust of Giants 3:00
- 3 The 2 Miss Leavens 3:43
- 4 My Night Sky 4:21
- 5 Olde Dance 2:01
- 6 Humankind, as the Sailor 2:38
- 7 Calico Indians 5:56
- 8 Snow-Hen of Austerlitz 3:51
- 9 Dark February 3:53
- 10 Utopian Society 1:29
- 11 Afternoon of the Faun 3:20
- 12 Kinderhook Hoopskirt Works 4:20
- 13 Meant to Be Dutch 4:31
- 14 This, My Porcelain Life 3:23
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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