Tall Stories for Small Children
Guy Manning · 1999
69 min · 15 tracks · progressive rock
A sprawling tapestry of progressive rock, weaving intricate melodies with rich narratives and thematic depth.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Last Psalm — Spanning over fourteen minutes, this track encapsulates the album's epic scope, blending haunting melodies with thought-provoking lyrics that serve as an emotional anchor.
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Holy Ireland: A Soldier’s Story — This track highlights Manning's lyrical prowess, illustrating a poignant narrative about conflict and loss through evocative imagery and rich storytelling.
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The Fall and Rise of Abel Mann: Waiting on a Ledge — With its introspective themes and dynamic shifts, this track exemplifies Manning's ability to blend personal reflection with broader existential questions.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's ambitious storytelling and complex compositions mark it as a notable entry in progressive rock.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate shifts in tempo and dynamics, moving from soft, reflective passages to more intense, climactic sections.
- The narrative structure is prominent, with lyrics that tell stories across multiple songs, creating a cohesive thematic arc.
- 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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5/10
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 The Last Psalm 14:07
- 2 The Voyager 5:22
- 3 White Waters 5:46
- 4 The Candyman 7:07
- 5 The Fall and Rise of Abel Mann: Grand Fanfare 2:02
- 6 The Fall and Rise of Abel Mann: Waiting on a Ledge 4:42
- 7 The Fall and Rise of Abel Mann: Grand Fanfare (Revisited) 0:43
- 8 The Fall and Rise of Abel Mann: Post‐Mortem: 3 Score Years and 10 2:18
- 9 The Fall and Rise of Abel Mann: Post‐Mortem: In My Life 5:06
- 10 Castaways 4:25
- 11 Holy Ireland: The Land 2:40
- 12 Holy Ireland: A Soldier’s Story 3:21
- 13 Holy Ireland: The Widow’s Tale 4:42
- 14 Holy Ireland: Priest’s Song 4:01
- 15 Holy Ireland: The Land (reprise) 2:58
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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