Tell Me Why
Archie Roach · 2019
90 min · 18 tracks · alternative rock
A poignant blend of storytelling and melody that honors heritage while confronting the complexities of identity and loss.
Top tracks — play these first
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Took the Children Away Start here — This track serves as a powerful reminder of Australia's Stolen Generations, delivering an emotional narrative that sets the tone for the entire album.
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Just a Closer Walk With Thee — Roach's rendition transforms this traditional hymn into a personal reflection on loss and longing, resonating deeply within the context of his life experiences.
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Tell Me Why — The title track encapsulates the central themes of questioning and searching for understanding amid personal and collective trauma, making it a cornerstone of the album's message.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- deep emotional storytelling experiences
- reflective moments of quiet introspection
- long-form immersive listening journeys
- cathartic expressions of vulnerability
- connecting themes of love and
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced tracks
- want short, standalone songs
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and relevance in the later stages of Roach's career.
- Themes
- Stolen Generations· Aboriginal identity· personal loss· cultural heritage
- Career context
- Released in 2019, Tell Me Why is Archie Roach's first album in over a decade, following his acclaimed work with 2016's Let Love Rule. This album marks a significant return, showcasing Roach's continued evolution as a storyteller and musician while reflecting on his experiences as an Aboriginal man in Australia.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Paul Kelly· The Waifs· Missy Higgins
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Took the Children Away Start here 5:59
- 2 A Child Was Born Here 5:35
- 3 F Troop 4:41
- 4 Nopun Kurongk 7:48
- 5 Just a Closer Walk With Thee 5:54
- 6 Lighthouse (Song for Two Mothers) 6:19
- 7 One for Each Person and One for the Pot 3:14
- 8 Little by Little 5:50
- 9 Rally Round the Drums 5:49
Disc 2
- 1 The Jetty Song 5:33
- 2 Open Up Your Yours Eyes 5:45
- 3 Always Be Here 3:50
- 4 Down City Street 5:10
- 5 Tell Me Why 3:14
- 6 Small Child 4:35
- 7 Let Love Rule 3:00
- 8 I'm So Lonely I Could Cry 3:55
- 9 Place of Fire 4:20
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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