Thinking of Empire cover

Released 40 years ago

Thinking of Empire

Slovenly · 1986

39 min · 12 tracks · punk rock

Raw punk energy collides with introspective lyrics, creating a chaotic yet thought-provoking soundscape.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Give Him a Sip Cause His Mind's Messed Up — This track stands out with its frenetic pace and sharp lyrics that critique societal apathy, capturing the band's raw energy and lyrical depth.
  • →
    Diminished Ideal — The song reflects on disillusionment with a sense of urgency, showcasing a blend of melodic hooks and aggressive instrumentation that defines the album.
  • →
    At Sea — With its more contemplative tone, this track contrasts sharply with the album's energetic pieces, highlighting the band's range and ability to convey complex emotions.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100
Foothills
Higher than 19% of albums we've rated

The album blends chaotic punk energy with introspective lyrics, showcasing a solid yet uneven compositional approach.

What we noticed

  • The lyrics often juxtapose raw energy with contemplative ideas, demanding active engagement from the listener.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
5/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

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.

Tracklist

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

  • 1 Movement 3:02
  • 2 Give Him a Sip Cause His Mind's Messed Up 2:09
  • 3 Sand 3:33
  • 4 Distended 2:58
  • 5 Diminished Ideal 3:36
  • 6 This Is the Big Tree 3:01
  • 7 Cartwheels of Glory 2:58
  • 8 At Sea 4:18
  • 9 Inattention 3:51
  • 10 Interruptions 3:15
  • 11 On the Beach 3:45
  • 12 Bleached 3:26

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata