Songs of the Plains
Colter Wall · 2018
34 min · 11 tracks · folk music
A rich tapestry of storytelling woven through haunting melodies and Colter Wall's resonant baritone, capturing the rugged spirit of the Canadian plains.
Top tracks — play these first
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Plain to See Plainsman — The opening track establishes the album's rustic atmosphere through vivid imagery and Wall's deep vocals, setting the stage for the storytelling that unfolds.
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Saskatchewan in 1881 — This song captures a historical moment with intricate details, reflecting Wall's ability to blend personal narrative with broader cultural themes.
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Wild Bill Hickok — By recounting the legend of Wild Bill Hickok, this track showcases Wall's knack for weaving folklore into his songwriting, revealing his connection to Western history.
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Night Herding Song — This poignant piece highlights Wall’s lyrical prowess through its exploration of loneliness and longing amidst the vastness of the plains.
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Tying Knots in the Devil’s Tail — A unique take on an old folk tale, this song emphasizes Wall's storytelling skills while providing a lively contrast to the album’s more solemn tracks.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong storytelling through cohesive acoustic arrangements and a distinctive vocal style.
What we noticed
- Each track features a narrative structure, often telling stories of historical or personal significance.
- The instrumentation is predominantly acoustic, with guitar and harmonica creating a rustic sound that complements the lyrical themes.
- Colter Wall's baritone voice remains consistent throughout, delivering lyrics with a measured pace that enhances the storytelling aspect.
- 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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8/10
- 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
- haunting melodies of the plains
- short narratives with vivid imagery
- reflective moments of solitude
- storytelling that evokes nostalgia
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat party tracks
- prefer long immersive experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2018, Songs of the Plains is Colter Wall's second studio album, following his self-titled debut from 2017. This album solidified his status as a prominent voice in modern outlaw country and folk music, showcasing his distinct sound rooted in traditional storytelling.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Sturgill Simpson· Tyler Childers· Chris Stapleton
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Plain to See Plainsman 3:50
- 2 Saskatchewan in 1881 2:52
- 3 John Beyers (Camaro Song) 2:01
- 4 Wild Dogs 4:53
- 5 Calgary Round‐Up 3:35
- 6 Night Herding Song 2:20
- 7 Wild Bill Hickok 2:40
- 8 The Trains Are Gone 2:08
- 9 Thinkin' on a Woman 3:20
- 10 Manitoba Man 3:59
- 11 Tying Knots in the Devil’s Tail 2:37
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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