Smartie Mine
Dan Bern · 1999
137 min · 27 tracks · folk music
A blend of witty storytelling and poignant melodies, reflecting on personal and societal themes in a folk-inspired soundscape.
Top tracks — play these first
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Smartie Mine — The title track captures the essence of Bern's clever lyricism, combining playful wordplay with deeper reflections on identity and desire.
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Tiger Woods — This song cleverly critiques celebrity culture while using sports metaphors to explore ambition and success, showcasing Bern's unique perspective.
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Chelsea Hotel — In this homage to Leonard Cohen's famous song, Bern reflects on love and loss in an evocative manner that highlights his storytelling abilities.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- witty storytelling with sharp insights
- long-form narratives for deep engagement
- reflective moments for quiet contemplation
- vivid imagery that sparks imagination
- playful irreverence in social commentary
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification tracks
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced listening
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Smartie Mine' was released in 1999, Dan Bern was already recognized for his sharp lyrical prowess, following his self-titled debut album in 1997. This album marked a period of increased visibility for Bern, showcasing his ability to weave humor and social commentary into his songwriting.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Josh Ritter· Greg Brown· John Gorka
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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City of Models
The narrative shifts from external observations of superficial beauty to introspective thoughts about authenticity and self-worth.
This structural choice emphasizes a contrast between appearance and reality, drawing listeners into a deeper contemplation of societal norms.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Smartie Mine 4:22
- 2 One Thing Real 5:42
- 3 Tiger Woods 3:10
- 4 Chelsea Hotel 4:56
- 5 City of Models 3:19
- 6 Krautmeyer 3:56
- 7 Crosses 5:18
- 8 Colors 3:25
- 9 Airplane Blues 8:39
- 10 Freight Train Blues 4:54
- 11 Talkin' Woody, Bob, Bruce & Dan Blues 5:09
- 12 Ballerina 6:40
- 13 Simple 8:52
Disc 2
- 1 Beautiful Trees 2:41
- 2 Joe Van Gogh 4:15
- 3 Little Russian Girl 3:39
- 4 Gamblin' With My Love (Pete Rose) 5:37
- 5 Murderer 4:53
- 6 Alia 3:54
- 7 Two-Month Affair 3:28
- 8 Baby Love 4:42
- 9 Sculpter 4:58
- 10 Dark Chocolate 3:43
- 11 Decadent Town 4:31
- 12 Hooker 7:34
- 13 Cocaine/Blue Jay Way 6:33
- 14 True Revolutionaries 8:28
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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