Taproot
Michael Hedges · 1990
41 min · 13 tracks · new age music
A serene blend of intricate guitar work and ethereal melodies that transport listeners to a reflective soundscape.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Chava's Song — This track highlights Hedges' signature fingerpicking style while intertwining poignant melodies that evoke deep emotional responses. Its lush arrangement showcases his ability to blend complexity with accessibility.
-
→
Song of the Spirit Farmer — As one of the longer tracks on the album, it allows Hedges to explore elaborate themes through intricate guitar passages and dynamic shifts, reflecting both introspection and connection to nature.
-
→
Ritual Dance — This piece captures the rhythmic pulse of Hedges' music, featuring a blend of lively tempos and harmonics that celebrate the interplay between man and nature.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Hedges' innovative guitar work and ambient textures create a unique listening experience that stands out in new age music.
What we noticed
- The album features intricate fingerstyle guitar techniques that dominate nearly every track, creating a complex tapestry of sound.
- Several tracks incorporate natural sounds and ambient elements, enhancing the reflective quality of the music.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
9/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
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
Significant within its genre. 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
- dynamic emotional journeys
- contemplative listening sessions
- intricate sonic textures
- gradual builds and payoffs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1990, Taproot was Michael Hedges' third album, following his breakthrough record, Aerial Boundaries. At this stage in his career, Hedges was establishing himself as a pioneering figure in the new acoustic music genre, showcasing his unique fingerstyle guitar technique and compositional depth.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Leo Kottke· Andy McKee· Pierre Bensusan
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Naked Stalk 1:44
- 2 The Jealous Tunnel - About Face 4:24
- 3 The Jade Stalk 3:57
- 4 Nomad Land 1:56
- 5 Point A 1:36
- 6 Chava's Song 3:18
- 7 Ritual Dance 2:21
- 8 Scenes (On the Road to Shrub 2) 4:26
- 9 The First Cutting 3:05
- 10 Point B 2:00
- 11 Song of the Spirit Farmer 4:48
- 12 The Rootwitch 2:32
- 13 I Carry Your Heart 4:57
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.