Released 7 years ago this October
Three Chords & the Truth
Van Morrison · 2019
67 min · 14 tracks · jazz fusion
A reflective tapestry of jazz-infused rock, blending personal introspection with soulful melodies and timeless storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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March Winds in February Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its contemplative lyrics and gentle melodies, inviting listeners into Morrison's world of reflection.
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Dark Night of the Soul — A deep dive into emotional turmoil, this song showcases Morrison's ability to convey profound feelings through sparse instrumentation and poignant storytelling.
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Three Chords and the Truth — The title track encapsulates the album's essence, with Morrison exploring authenticity in music while blending rich musical influences, making it a standout composition.
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Nobody in Charge — This track critiques societal norms and expectations, featuring a compelling groove that highlights Morrison’s bluesy influences alongside his signature lyrical depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends reflective lyrics with varied tempos and instrumentation, creating a cohesive yet exploratory listening experience.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features mid-tempo tracks that build a reflective mood, while the second half introduces a more varied tempo and instrumentation.
- Several tracks incorporate spoken word elements, blending narrative storytelling with musical interludes.
- The final track features a gradual fade-out, leaving an open-ended feeling that invites contemplation.
- 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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6/10
- 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
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
- wave-like pacing with resolution
- reflective moments of nostalgia
- deep introspection throughout tracks
- soulful melodies inviting contemplation
Maybe skip if you
- prefer quick, upbeat songs
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued creativity and relevance in Morrison's extensive career.
- Themes
- Celtic nostalgia· personal reflection· societal critique
- Career context
- Released in 2019, Three Chords & the Truth marks Van Morrison's 40th studio album, showcasing his enduring creativity following a prolific five-decade career. This album arrives after the artist's exploration of themes like love and spirituality in previous works, solidifying his status as a cornerstone of contemporary music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Leonard Cohen· Bob Dylan· John Hiatt
Tracklist
- 1 March Winds in February Start here 4:36
- 2 Fame Will Eat the Soul 4:53
- 3 Dark Night of the Soul 5:58
- 4 In Search of Grace 3:43
- 5 Nobody in Charge 4:13
- 6 You Don’t Understand 6:18
- 7 Read Between the Lines 3:42
- 8 Does Love Conquer All? 4:43
- 9 Early Days 3:42
- 10 If We Wait for Mountains 2:43
- 11 Up on Broadway 6:24
- 12 Three Chords and the Truth 5:01
- 13 Bags Under My Eyes 4:07
- 14 Days Gone By 7:43
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
You Want It Darker
Leonard Cohen
Explores deep introspection and existential themes with a rich, soulful production.
The Tree of Forgiveness
John Prine
Shares reflective storytelling and a blend of folk with a touch of Americana nostalgia.
Ghosteen
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Combines haunting melodies with poetic lyrics that evoke deep emotional resonance and reflection.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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