The Trouble with Normal
Bruce Cockburn · 1983
42 min · 9 tracks · folk music
A reflective blend of folk and rock, intertwining intricate guitar work with poignant lyrics addressing social and personal themes.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Trouble With Normal Start here — This title track encapsulates the album's central theme of questioning societal norms while featuring Cockburn's signature lyrical depth and intricate guitar work.
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Going Up Against Chaos — This song stands out for its rhythmic complexity and urgent message, reflecting Cockburn's response to the turbulent political climate of the time.
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Civilization and Its Discontents — Here, Cockburn critiques modern society with sharp observations and vivid imagery, making it a powerful commentary on contemporary life.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends intricate guitar work with socially conscious lyrics, creating a reflective yet engaging experience.
What we noticed
- The first track features a steady, mid-tempo rhythm with layered guitar lines that set a reflective tone for the album.
- Several tracks incorporate shifts in dynamics, such as 'Going Up Against Chaos', which builds intensity before dropping to a quieter resolution.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- 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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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
- thoughtful introspective moments
- gradual builds and payoffs
- late-night contemplative moods
- layered, dense sonic textures
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album marked a significant step in Cockburn's political engagement and influence.
- Themes
- societal norms critique· political turbulence of the 1980s· modern civilization discontent
- Career context
- Released in 1983, The Trouble with Normal marked Bruce Cockburn's twelfth studio album during a period of increasing political engagement in his music. Following the success of the acclaimed album Humans, this record further established Cockburn's reputation as a thoughtful songwriter and social commentator, exploring complex themes through his distinctive folk-rock style.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Richard Thompson· Leonard Cohen· Joni Mitchell
Tracklist
- 1 The Trouble With Normal Start here 3:35
- 2 Candy Man's Gone 4:01
- 3 Hoop Dancer 7:51
- 4 Waiting for the Moon 4:24
- 5 Tropic Moon 4:09
- 6 Going Up Against Chaos 5:29
- 7 Put Our Hearts Together 4:26
- 8 Civilization and Its Discontents 4:17
- 9 Planet of the Clowns 3:47
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Shoot Out the Lights
Richard Thompson
Shares intricate guitar work and poignant storytelling, reflecting personal and societal themes.
Dog Eat Dog
Joni Mitchell
Explores societal critiques with a blend of folk and jazz influences, echoing political themes.
Living with Ghosts
Patty Griffin
Combines reflective lyrics with folk-rock instrumentation, addressing personal and social discontent.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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