Somewhere Near Paterson
Richard Shindell · 2000
49 min · 11 tracks · traditional folk music
Intimate storytelling unfolds through rich acoustic melodies and reflective lyrics, capturing the essence of everyday life and emotional complexity.
Top tracks — play these first
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Confession — Opening with a deeply personal narrative, this track sets the tone for the album's explorative themes of honesty and introspection.
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Abuelita — This song weaves a touching story about family legacy and memory, showcasing Shindell's skill in blending personal history with broader cultural reflections.
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Wisteria — A beautifully crafted love song, 'Wisteria' encapsulates the album's lyrical depth while highlighting Shindell's melodic sensibility and emotional resonance.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's storytelling and acoustic arrangements create an engaging yet familiar folk experience.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of fingerpicked acoustic guitar, providing a warm and intimate backdrop for the storytelling.
- Each track typically follows a verse-chorus structure, with lyrics that focus on personal narratives and reflections on everyday life.
- 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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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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
- intimate storytelling for quiet moments
- reflective melodies for personal contemplation
- gentle pacing for relaxed listening
- evocative themes of everyday life
- emotional complexity in acoustic form
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat and energetic sounds
- seek immediate gratification in music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Somewhere Near Paterson is Richard Shindell's fourth studio album, released after his critically acclaimed album, Reunion Hill. By 2000, Shindell had established himself within the folk music scene, gaining recognition for his poignant songwriting and narrative style, which this album further solidified.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Dar Williams· Greg Brown· Lucy Kaplansky
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Confession 5:18
- 2 Abuelita 3:55
- 3 You Stay Here 3:59
- 4 My Love Will Follow You 4:13
- 5 Spring 5:07
- 6 Wisteria 4:50
- 7 Waiting for the Storm 3:33
- 8 The Grocer's Broom 4:04
- 9 Merritt Parkway, 2 am 3:28
- 10 Transit 5:56
- 11 Calling the Moon 5:00
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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