The Rose
Mediæval Bæbes · 2002
65 min · 17 tracks · classical music
A lush tapestry of medieval harmonies and contemporary arrangements that breathe new life into ancient texts.
Top tracks — play these first
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I Am Eve — Opening with a haunting melody, this track sets the tone for the album's exploration of feminine archetypes through rich vocal harmonies.
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There Is No Rose of Swych Vertu — This piece highlights intricate vocal interplay that exemplifies the group's mastery of blending historical text with modern musicality.
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L'amour de moi — Offering a poignant reflection on love, this track stands out with its emotional depth and captivating lyrical storytelling.
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Blow Northern Wind — Closing the album, this lengthy piece showcases a grand culmination of themes explored throughout, featuring mesmerizing vocal layers and instrumentation.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album effectively merges medieval themes with modern arrangements, showcasing strong craftsmanship and distinctiveness.
What we noticed
- Many tracks utilize layered vocals that create a rich, textured sound, often alternating between solo and ensemble passages.
- The sequencing includes both upbeat and contemplative pieces, with the final track providing a reflective conclusion to the album.
- 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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8/10
- 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
Significant within its genre. 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
- haunting melodies for introspection
- short tracks for focused listening
- meditative moments of stillness
- timeless soundscapes for daydreaming
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy excitement
- prefer straightforward song structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2002, The Rose marked the third studio album for Mediæval Bæbes, solidifying their unique fusion of early music with modern sensibilities. Following their previous albums, this project showcased a deeper exploration of themes related to femininity and nature, further establishing their niche in the neo-medieval genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Enigma· Loreena McKennitt· Dead Can Dance
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 I Am Eve 3:40
- 2 Glass Window 2:39
- 3 Slay Me Suddenly 3:14
- 4 The Snake 3:15
- 5 The Circle of the Lustful 4:00
- 6 Laude novella 1:42
- 7 There Is No Rose of Swych Vertu 2:42
- 8 Lick the Maypole 1:28
- 9 Razreesh 3:34
- 10 Byrd One Brere 3:09
- 11 Dringo Bell 3:35
- 12 The Rose 1:04
- 13 L'amour de moi 4:05
- 14 The Woods and the Rivers Are Silent 2:07
- 15 Spiriti 1:28
- 16 The Sour Grove 3:01
- 17 Blow Northern Wind 20:20
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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