Straight, Clean and Simple
Anne Murray · 1971
26 min · 10 tracks · country music
A soothing blend of soft rock and country influences, layered with Murray's warm and inviting vocals.
Top tracks — play these first
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Child of Mine — This track stands out for its heartfelt lyrics that express a parent's love and hopes for their child, resonating deeply with listeners. Its commercial success helped define Anne Murray's style.
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It Takes Time Start here — The opening track showcases Murray's signature sound with its gentle melody and introspective lyrics about patience and growth. It sets a reflective tone for the entire album.
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I'll Never Fall in Love Again — Murray's rendition of this classic captures both vulnerability and resilience through its poignant storytelling. The emotional depth adds complexity to the album's themes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends soft rock and country influences with warm vocals, creating a pleasant but conventional listening experience.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the fourth track, 'Child of Mine,' introduces a more emotional and dynamic vocal delivery.
- Several tracks incorporate lush string arrangements that complement Murray's vocals, particularly in 'Wishing Smiles Made It All True' and 'Days of the Looking Glass.'
- The album closes with 'I'll Never Fall in Love Again,' which shifts to a slower tempo and a reflective tone, providing a contrast to earlier tracks.
- 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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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- 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
- short, reflective listening sessions
- warm, comforting background music
- gentle storytelling moments
- nostalgic and heartfelt vibes
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album helped establish Murray's prominence with hits like 'Child of Mine'.
- Themes
- motherhood celebration· reflective nostalgia· heartfelt storytelling
- Career context
- Released on February 26, 1971, Straight, Clean and Simple was Anne Murray's fourth studio album, following her breakthrough success with her previous album, 'Honey, Wave Your Wand.' At this stage in her career, she was solidifying her presence in the adult contemporary and country music scenes, showcasing her vocal prowess and appeal to a wider audience.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Linda Ronstadt· Karen Carpenter· James Taylor
Tracklist
- 1 It Takes Time Start here 3:17
- 2 People's Park 2:54
- 3 One Day I Walk 2:26
- 4 Child of Mine 2:59
- 5 Sycamore Slick 1:54
- 6 Wishing Smiles Made It All True 2:12
- 7 Sing High, Sing Low 2:46
- 8 Days of the Looking Glass 2:20
- 9 A Stranger in My Place 2:54
- 10 I'll Never Fall in Love Again 2:52
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Sweet Baby James
James Taylor
Shares a soothing vibe with warm vocals and reflective storytelling, blending folk and soft rock.
Tapestry
Carole King
Equally heartfelt and nostalgic, featuring confessional lyrics and a soft rock sound palette.
Heart Like a Wheel
Linda Ronstadt
Combines country influences and emotional narratives, showcasing strong vocals in a similar soft rock setting.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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