This Charming Life
Joan Armatrading · 2010
45 min · 11 tracks · pop music
A vibrant blend of introspective lyrics and melodic pop-rock that captures the essence of life's fleeting moments.
Top tracks — play these first
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This Charming Life Start here — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of joy and reflection, blending upbeat instrumentation with thoughtful lyrics about appreciating life's journey.
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Love Love Love — This track combines catchy melodies with a heartfelt message about the power of love, showcasing Armatrading's ability to balance lightness with depth.
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Goddess of Change — A standout for its exploration of personal growth and transformation, this song employs vivid imagery and emotional resonance that highlights Armatrading's lyrical prowess.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features solid songwriting and production but lacks standout moments that elevate it beyond its contemporaries.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a title track that establishes a mid-tempo groove, followed by three consecutive songs that maintain a similar upbeat energy.
- Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the melodic quality of the songs.
- The last two tracks slow down significantly, creating a reflective mood that contrasts with the earlier upbeat tempo.
- 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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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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 mid-tempo reflective moments
- melodic storytelling with hooks
- easy listening for daily routines
- uplifting themes of change
- catchy choruses for sing-alongs
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek heavy experimental sounds
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Showcases continued songwriting evolution in Armatrading's later career.
- Career context
- Released in 2010, This Charming Life is Joan Armatrading's first album since her 2007 live record, showcasing her continued evolution as a songwriter. At this point in her career, Armatrading had already established herself as a respected figure in music, with a career spanning over four decades, marked by both commercial success and critical acclaim.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Joni Mitchell· Laura Marling· Nick Drake
Tracklist
- 1 This Charming Life Start here 3:54
- 2 Love Love Love 3:58
- 3 People Who Win 3:52
- 4 Two Tears 4:31
- 5 Heading Back to New York City 3:59
- 6 Goddess of Change 3:50
- 7 Diamond 4:25
- 8 Promises 4:06
- 9 Virtual Reality 4:32
- 10 Best Dress On 4:13
- 11 Cry 4:06
What to play next
Starlight
2012
Continues the melodic pop-rock vibe with fresh themes and a vibrant sound.
Into the Blues
2007
Sets up a similar introspective tone leading into This Charming Life.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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