The Richest Man in Babylon
Thievery Corporation · 2002
57 min · 15 tracks · trip hop
A lush blend of downtempo grooves and global influences, creating a sonic journey that feels both intimate and expansive.
Top tracks — play these first
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Heaven's Gonna Burn Your Eyes Start here — Opening with soulful vocals layered over a haunting melody, this track sets the tone for the album's exploration of hope and despair.
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The Outernationalist — This track embodies the band's signature style, blending reggae rhythms with global sounds that evoke a sense of unity and resistance.
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Liberation Front — With its driving bassline and politically charged lyrics, this song captures the essence of the album's themes around freedom and social change.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends diverse influences with solid production but lacks a strong cohesive arc throughout its length.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate spoken word segments that intersperse with the music, creating a narrative flow.
- The pacing varies significantly, with some tracks maintaining a steady groove while others shift to more ambient soundscapes.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
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
- steady, consistent energy levels
- long, immersive listening sessions
- contemplative, reflective moods
- layered, dense sonic textures
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album significantly boosted their recognition and chart performance.
- Themes
- global resistance· political liberation· cultural diversity
- Career context
- The Richest Man in Babylon is Thievery Corporation's third studio album, released in 2002 following their critically acclaimed album, The Mirror Conspiracy. By this point, the duo had solidified their reputation as pioneers in the downtempo genre, exploring themes of social justice and cultural diversity through their music.
Tracklist
- 1 Heaven's Gonna Burn Your Eyes Start here 4:10
- 2 Facing East 3:43
- 3 The Outernationalist 3:30
- 4 Interlude 1:21
- 5 Omid (Hope) 3:48
- 6 All That We Perceive 3:46
- 7 Un simple histoire (A Simple Story) 3:45
- 8 Meu destino (My Destiny) 3:29
- 9 Exilio (Exile) 3:03
- 10 From Creation 4:20
- 11 The Richest Man in Babylon 3:50
- 12 Liberation Front 5:04
- 13 The State of the Union 4:28
- 14 Until the Morning 3:56
- 15 Resolution 4:46
What to play next
The Cosmic Game
2004
Continues the global sound exploration with fresh beats and varied influences.
The Mirror Conspiracy
2000
Sets the stage with a similar laid-back vibe and rich soundscapes.
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Moon Safari
Air
Shares lush electronic textures and a dreamy atmosphere, for late-night introspection.
Black Sands
Bonobo
Combines downtempo beats with global influences, creating an immersive listening experience.
Simple Things
Zero 7
Features smooth melodies and a blend of acoustic and electronic elements, evoking a similar warmth.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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