Smokin
Jonny Lang · 1995
44 min · 11 tracks · blues
A vibrant blend of blues and rock, infused with soulful guitar riffs and heartfelt vocal delivery.
Top tracks — play these first
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Louise — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its emotional resonance and showcases Lang's impressive guitar skills alongside his soulful vocals.
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Changes — With its catchy melody and relatable lyrics, this song highlights Lang's ability to blend personal storytelling with engaging musicality, making it a standout piece.
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Too Tired — This track features a raw emotional depth that allows Lang's vocal range to shine, demonstrating his ability to convey vulnerability through music.
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I Love You the Best — A heartfelt ballad that illustrates Lang's skill in crafting intimate moments within his songs, revealing both lyrical maturity and musical sophistication.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong guitar work and engaging vocal delivery, though it has moments of inconsistency in pacing.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a mid-tempo track that features a prominent guitar riff, setting a lively tone for the first half.
- Several tracks incorporate call-and-response vocal patterns, enhancing the interaction between Lang's voice and the instrumentation.
- The last three tracks slow down significantly, creating a reflective mood that contrasts with the energetic opening.
- Lang's guitar solos are consistently featured throughout, often taking precedence over vocal lines in the arrangement.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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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
- soulful guitar-driven moments
- upbeat tracks for gatherings
- feel-good vibes throughout
- catchy melodies for sing-alongs
Maybe skip if you
- slow, introspective listening preference
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1995, 'Smokin' was Jonny Lang's debut album, emerging when he was just 14 years old. This early work showcased his prodigious talent and positioned him as a fresh voice in the blues genre, following his rise through live performances and local acclaim.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Joe Bonamassa· Keb' Mo'· Susan Tedeschi
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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I Love You the Best
The chorus emphasizes an unwavering devotion through a melodic repetition that reinforces the sentiment of love.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Louise 4:23
- 2 Changes 3:17
- 3 Lovin' My Baby 3:10
- 4 I Love You the Best 4:03
- 5 Nice & Warm 7:43
- 6 It's Obdacious 3:18
- 7 Sugarman 4:12
- 8 "E" Train 4:11
- 9 Too Tired 3:15
- 10 Smokin' 3:45
- 11 Malted Milk 3:17
What to play next
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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