That’s What I Heard
Robert Cray · 2020
47 min · 12 tracks · blues
A vibrant blend of contemporary blues with a soulful groove, showcasing Cray's signature guitar work and heartfelt vocals.
Top tracks — play these first
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You’re the One — This track features a smooth melody combined with lyrics that express deep affection, perfectly encapsulating Cray's ability to blend romance with blues elements.
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Promises You Can’t Keep — The song stands out for its poignant storytelling about unfulfilled commitments, showcasing Cray's skillful songwriting and emotional delivery.
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My Baby Likes to Boogaloo — Infused with an infectious rhythm, this track highlights Cray’s playful side while maintaining his blues roots, making it a fun yet sophisticated addition to the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong songwriting and skilled performances, with a solid blend of tempos and styles.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album maintains a consistent mid-tempo groove, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and dynamics.
- Several tracks feature call-and-response vocal patterns, enhancing the interaction between Cray and his backing musicians.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- 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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7/10
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
- smooth melodies for relaxation
- timeless emotional resonance
- for evening gatherings
Maybe skip if you
- seeking fast-paced excitement
- prefer standalone singles only
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2020, That's What I Heard marks Robert Cray's first album since his Grammy-winning project, 4 Nights of 40 Years Live. At this point in his career, Cray continued to solidify his reputation as a masterful blues guitarist and songwriter while exploring fresh sounds that appeal to both longtime fans and new audiences. This album also reflects his commitment to evolving within the genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Joe Bonamassa· Keb' Mo'· Susan Tedeschi
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Anything You Want 3:52
- 2 Burying Ground 2:58
- 3 You’re the One 2:49
- 4 This Man 5:06
- 5 You’ll Want Me Back 3:58
- 6 Hot 3:44
- 7 Promises You Can’t Keep 5:55
- 8 To Be With You 2:54
- 9 My Baby Likes to Boogaloo 3:50
- 10 You Can’t Make Me Change 5:04
- 11 Little Less Lonely 4:19
- 12 Do It 3:25
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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