The Coral Sea cover

The Coral Sea

Patti Smith · 2008

119 min · 10 tracks · post-punk · art rock · proto-punk

A meditative exploration of sound and poetry, weaving together spoken word with atmospheric instrumentation.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • meditative soundscapes for reflection
  • gradual explorations of themes
  • steady pacing for deep listening
  • immersive spoken word experience

Maybe skip if you want

  • prefer quick, upbeat tracks
  • seek immediate gratification

Where this album fits

Themes
oceanic solitude· New York literary scene· meditative soundscapes
Career context
By the time 'The Coral Sea' was released in 2008, Patti Smith was already an established figure in music and literature. This album came eight years after her previous studio album, 'Gung Ho,' showcasing her continued evolution as an artist and her embrace of spoken word and experimental soundscapes.
Sounds like this from elsewhere
Low by David Bowie — Shares a meditative soundscape and experimental approach, blending instrumentals with introspective themes.
The Boatman's Call by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds — Explores themes of solitude and introspection through poetic lyrics and atmospheric arrangements.
Strange Angels by Laurie Anderson — Combines spoken word with an experimental sound palette, echoing similar meditative and literary qualities.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 Part One 14:32
  • 2 Part Two 12:42
  • 3 Part Three 7:22
  • 4 Part Four 13:02
  • 5 Part Five 7:54
  • 6 Part Six 9:07

Disc 2

  • 1 Part One 11:00
  • 2 Part Two 13:38
  • 3 Part Three 14:25
  • 4 Part Four 15:40

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata