Is That's What a good place to start with Leo Kottke?

Yes, That's What is recommended as a starting point for new Leo Kottke listeners. Intricate fingerstyle guitar weaves through whimsical melodies, blending bluesy undertones with playful folk sensibilities. Released in 1990, That's What marked Leo Kottke's return to the studio after a five-year hiatus following the album A Shout Toward Noon. At this point in his career, Kottke had established himself as a leading acoustic guitarist known for his unique blend of folk and blues, solidifying his distinctive sound within the genre.

Who is That's What for?

That's What works well if you're into playful melodies for light moods, steady pacing for casual listening and whimsical storytelling through music.

How many songs are on That's What?

That's What has 10 tracks, running approximately 38 minutes.

That's What

Leo Kottke · 1990

38 min · 10 tracks · blues

Intricate fingerstyle guitar weaves through whimsical melodies, blending bluesy undertones with playful folk sensibilities.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Little Snoozer Start here — This opening track sets the tone with its gentle yet complex fingerpicking, illustrating Kottke's mastery of melody and rhythm right from the start.
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What the Arm Said — The track features an unconventional structure and playful lyrics, showcasing Kottke's whimsical storytelling style that is both engaging and memorable.
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Jesus Maria — With its rich harmonics and emotive playing, this track exemplifies Kottke's ability to evoke deep feelings through instrumental storytelling.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

Kottke's intricate guitar work and blend of styles create a distinctive yet cohesive album.

What we noticed

The album features intricate fingerstyle guitar work that varies in tempo and complexity across tracks.
Several tracks incorporate whimsical melodies, often shifting between bluesy and folk influences.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

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

playful melodies for light moods
steady pacing for casual listening
whimsical storytelling through music
suitable for afternoon relaxation

Maybe skip if you

seeking intense emotional experiences
prefer fast-paced, energetic tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — The album solidified Kottke's status after a five-year hiatus, showcasing his virtuosity.
Themes: playful storytelling· acoustic landscapes· whimsical melodies
Career context: Released in 1990, That's What marked Leo Kottke's return to the studio after a five-year hiatus following the album A Shout Toward Noon. At this point in his career, Kottke had established himself as a leading acoustic guitarist known for his unique blend of folk and blues, solidifying his distinctive sound within the genre.
Stylistic neighbors: John Fahey· Bert Jansch· Michael Hedges