Time Passes By
Kathy Mattea · 1991
42 min · 11 tracks · country music
A blend of heartfelt storytelling and melodic country-folk that reflects on love, loss, and the passage of time.
Top tracks — play these first
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Time Passes By — This title track encapsulates the album's theme of reflection on life's transient nature, featuring poignant lyrics and Mattea's emotive vocal delivery.
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Asking Us to Dance — With its upbeat tempo and inviting melody, this track stands out as a celebration of connection and intimacy amid life's uncertainties.
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Ready for the Storm — This song's evocative imagery and metaphorical depth resonate deeply, highlighting Mattea's ability to blend storytelling with emotional gravitas.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong songwriting and production, with a cohesive theme but may not stand out significantly in the broader country genre.
What we noticed
- Several tracks feature prominent acoustic instrumentation, including guitar and piano, which supports the storytelling aspect of the lyrics.
- The album includes a recurring theme of reflection on past relationships, with lyrics that often evoke nostalgia and introspection.
- 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
- steady pacing for reflective moments
- bittersweet nostalgia in melodies
- heartfelt themes of memory
- for quiet evenings
Maybe skip if you
- seeks instant gratification
- prefers high-energy tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the release of 'Time Passes By' in 1991, Kathy Mattea was solidifying her status as a leading figure in country music after her breakthrough album 'Willow in the Wind' in 1991. This album followed her successful hit singles, showcasing her growth as both a vocalist and songwriter during a time when she was transitioning into deeper lyrical themes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Mary Chapin Carpenter· Emmylou Harris· Nanci Griffith
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Time Passes By 2:49
- 2 Whole Lotta Holes 3:04
- 3 What Could Have Been 3:45
- 4 Asking Us to Dance 4:22
- 5 Summer of My Dreams 3:55
- 6 Harley 3:35
- 7 Quarter Moon 3:40
- 8 I Wear Your Love 4:13
- 9 A Few Good Things Remain 3:51
- 10 Ready for the Storm 3:53
- 11 From a Distance 5:00
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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