Songs III: Bird on the Water
Marissa Nadler · 2007
48 min · 11 tracks · traditional folk music
Haunting melodies intertwine with ethereal vocals, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that lingers long after the last note fades.
Top tracks — play these first
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Diamond Heart — Opening the album, this track sets a poignant tone with its delicate instrumentation and evocative lyrics about vulnerability and longing.
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Dying Breed — This song highlights Nadler's unique vocal style and showcases her ability to weave personal narrative into broader themes of loss and nostalgia.
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Mexican Summer — With lush arrangements and vivid imagery, this track encapsulates the album's dreamy soundscape while exploring themes of love and distance.
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Bird on Your Grave — This haunting ballad exemplifies Nadler's lyrical depth and emotional resonance, drawing listeners into a world of reflection and quiet despair.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features unique song structures and strong production, creating an ethereal sound that stands out in contemporary folk.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature layered instrumentation that builds gradually, while the fourth track shifts to a sparse arrangement with only vocals and guitar.
- Several songs incorporate unconventional song structures, such as extended instrumental sections and abrupt tempo changes.
- The album closes with a cover of 'Famous Blue Raincoat', which introduces a different lyrical perspective and alters the mood established by previous tracks.
- 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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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- 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
- steady mid-tempo reflective journey
- dreamlike soundscapes for introspection
- haunting vocals for quiet moments
- melancholic melodies for rainy days
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat dance tracks
- prefer instant gratification sounds
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the release of 'Songs III: Bird on the Water' in 2007, Marissa Nadler was establishing herself as a significant figure in contemporary folk music, following her previous album 'Songs II: A Legacy' from 2006. This album marked her third studio effort and showcased her evolution as a songwriter and musician, solidifying her distinctive sound characterized by introspective lyrics and atmospheric instrumentation.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Julie Byrne· Angel Olsen· Nadia Reid
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Diamond Heart 3:47
- 2 Dying Breed 3:38
- 3 Mexican Summer 5:27
- 4 Thinking of You 3:36
- 5 Silvia 5:40
- 6 Bird on Your Grave 5:02
- 7 Rachel 4:20
- 8 Feathers 3:59
- 9 Famous Blue Raincoat 4:23
- 10 My Love and I 3:32
- 11 Leather Made Shoes 4:42
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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