Still Fighting the War
Slaid Cleaves · 2013
43 min · 13 tracks · country music
A poignant blend of storytelling and melody that captures the struggles of everyday life with a country-inflected touch.
Top tracks — play these first
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Still Fighting the War — The title track encapsulates the album's central themes of resilience and struggle, featuring vivid imagery that reflects both personal and collective battles.
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Rust Belt Fields — This song paints a nostalgic picture of fading industries and lost dreams, serving as a poignant commentary on economic decline while showcasing Cleaves' lyrical prowess.
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Texas Love Song — A heartfelt homage to Texas, this track combines affectionate storytelling with a catchy melody, highlighting Cleaves' ability to blend personal reflection with regional pride.
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 focus create a solid yet familiar country sound.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of acoustic instrumentation, with guitar and piano driving the melodies across most tracks.
- Many songs employ a narrative structure, with lyrics that tell stories of personal struggle and resilience.
- The tempo varies slightly, but the majority of tracks maintain a mid-tempo pace, creating a reflective mood throughout.
- Several tracks feature repeated melodic motifs that enhance the thematic continuity of the album.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- 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
- heartfelt storytelling with rustic charm
- reflective moments for quiet introspection
- gentle pacing for evening relaxation
- nostalgic themes of personal struggle
- brief tracks for reflection
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy party vibes
- prefer instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- In 2013, Slaid Cleaves released 'Still Fighting the War' as his sixth studio album, following the critically acclaimed 'Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away' from 2009. This release solidified his position as a significant voice in contemporary Americana and country music, showcasing his distinctive narrative style and dedication to songwriting.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Guy Clark· James Taylor· John Prine
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Still Fighting the War 2:57
- 2 Without Her 2:41
- 3 Rust Belt Fields 4:11
- 4 Hometown USA 3:53
- 5 Gone 3:11
- 6 Welding Burns 3:23
- 7 I Bet She Does 2:51
- 8 Whim of Iron 2:29
- 9 Texas Love Song 3:03
- 10 God's Own Yodeler 3:50
- 11 In the Rain 3:12
- 12 Go for the Gold 4:03
- 13 Voice of Midnight 3:56
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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