What makes Sky Like a Broken Clock by Kelly Joe Phelps notable?

Sky Like a Broken Clock received critical acclaim upon its release, with particular praise from publications like Acoustic Guitar for its rich guitar textures and heartfelt songwriting. The album represents a significant contribution to the early 2000s roots revival, influencing many artists who sought to blend traditional styles with modern sensibilities. In 2001, Kelly Joe Phelps was releasing his fourth studio album, following 'Shout Sister Shout' in 1999. This album marked a continuation of his exploration into deeply personal and spiritual themes, solidifying his unique voice within the contemporary acoustic scene.

How many songs are on Sky Like a Broken Clock?

Sky Like a Broken Clock has 10 tracks, running approximately 55 minutes.

Sky Like a Broken Clock

Kelly Joe Phelps · 2001

55 min · 10 tracks · blues

A meditative blend of blues, folk, and gospel woven through intricate guitar work and evocative storytelling.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Clementine — This track showcases Phelps' mastery of fingerstyle guitar, pairing intricate melodies with poignant lyrics that reflect on nostalgia and loss.
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Gold Tooth — With its haunting vocal delivery and sparse instrumentation, this song captures the essence of Phelps' ability to convey deep emotion through simplicity.
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Mr. My Go — The narrative-driven lyrics and dynamic shifts in melody create a compelling auditory journey that highlights Phelps' storytelling prowess.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong guitar work and heartfelt songwriting, contributing to its unique sound within the blues genre.

What we noticed

The album features intricate fingerpicking guitar patterns that dominate the majority of tracks, creating a meditative atmosphere.
Vocals are often layered with harmonies, enhancing the storytelling aspect and adding depth to the emotional delivery.

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

Influence 4/10

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Taylor John 5:43
2 Clementine 6:10
3 Sally Ruby 4:08
4 Beggar's Oil 3:24
5 Flash Cards 5:51
6 Gold Tooth 6:49
7 Tommy 5:28
8 Fleashine 5:31
9 Mr. My Go 6:52
10 Worn Out 5:07

What to play next

Listen next

Slingshot Professionals

2003

Go back to

Shine Eyed Mister Zen

1999

Full Kelly Joe Phelps discography Artists like Kelly Joe Phelps

blues

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata