Songlines
Karan Casey · 1997
43 min · 11 tracks · music of Ireland
A tapestry of traditional Irish melodies woven with contemporary arrangements and Karan Casey's hauntingly ethereal vocals.
Top tracks — play these first
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She Is Like the Swallow — This track stands out for its delicate instrumentation and Casey's emotive delivery, capturing the essence of longing common in traditional Irish ballads.
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The Song of Wandering Aengus — Casey’s interpretation transforms this W.B. Yeats poem into a haunting melody, illustrating her ability to blend literary depth with musicality seamlessly.
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The World Turned Upside Down (The Diggers’ Song) — This song provides a political commentary woven into traditional folk, showcasing Casey’s versatility in addressing social issues through music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends traditional and contemporary styles, showcasing Casey's unique voice but lacks strong cohesion across its length.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate shifts in tempo and dynamics, such as 'The World Turned Upside Down', which contrasts a slow build-up with a more vigorous climax.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- 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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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
- haunting melodies for introspection
- gentle storytelling with emotional depth
- evocative vocals for quiet moments
- for afternoon reflection
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat party tracks
- prefer fast-paced music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1997, Songlines was Karan Casey's debut solo album after her tenure with the influential group Solas. This album marked her transition to a prominent solo artist in the Irish music scene, showcasing her distinct vocal style and interpretation of traditional folk songs.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Lisa Hannigan· Clannad· Dónal Lunny
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Roger the Miller 4:16
- 2 She Is Like the Swallow 3:00
- 3 Ballad of Accounting 3:22
- 4 Shamrock Shore 5:24
- 5 Martinmas Time 4:48
- 6 An Buachaillín Bán 2:40
- 7 The Creggan White Hare 4:20
- 8 The Song of Wandering Aengus 4:41
- 9 One, I Love 4:04
- 10 The World Turned Upside Down (The Diggers’ Song) 2:15
- 11 The Labouring Man’s Daughter 5:03
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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