Songs from the Floodplain
Jon Boden · 2009
48 min · 12 tracks · traditional folk music
A tapestry of traditional folk sounds interwoven with contemporary narratives that evoke a sense of history and place.
Top tracks — play these first
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Going Down to the Wasteland — This track encapsulates the album's thematic exploration of loss and resilience, using vivid imagery to depict a journey through desolation.
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Days Gone By — With its reflective lyrics and haunting melody, this song captures a sense of nostalgia and yearning that resonates throughout the album.
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Dancing in the Factory — This lively track contrasts industrial themes with an upbeat rhythm, showcasing Boden's ability to blend serious subject matter with engaging musicality.
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When the Walls Come Tumbling Down — A powerful closing track that builds from quiet introspection to an emotional climax, it underscores the album's overarching narrative about change and upheaval.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Boden's blend of traditional and contemporary elements showcases strong craftsmanship but maintains a familiar folk sound.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate shifts in tempo, moving from reflective ballads to more upbeat, danceable rhythms.
- The last three tracks create a gradual descent in energy, ending with a somber tone that contrasts with earlier pieces.
- 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.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 We Do What We Can 3:54
- 2 Going Down to the Wasteland 3:12
- 3 Days Gone By 3:41
- 4 Penny for the Preacher 3:05
- 5 Dancing in the Factory 3:58
- 6 Beating the Bounds 4:31
- 7 The Pilgrim's Way 2:26
- 8 April Queen 3:40
- 9 When the Walls Come Tumbling Down 5:09
- 10 Don't Wake Me Up Til Tomorrow 5:05
- 11 Under Their Breath 4:07
- 12 Has Been Cavalry 5:36
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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