Tomorrowland
Ryan Bingham · 2012
62 min · 13 tracks · blues
A raw blend of Americana and blues, driven by storytelling and rugged instrumentation that evokes the spirit of the open road.
Top tracks — play these first
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Beg for Broken Legs — This opening track sets a gritty tone with its urgent rhythm and introspective lyrics, capturing Bingham's signature blend of vulnerability and resilience.
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Western Shore — With its haunting melody, this song reflects on longing and identity, emblematic of Bingham's ability to weave personal stories into universal themes.
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No Help From God — This track stands out for its powerful commentary on existential struggles, encapsulating the album’s darker undertones through evocative imagery and raw emotion.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong lyrical storytelling and varied instrumentation but lacks a cohesive flow throughout its length.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces slower ballads that create a reflective atmosphere.
- Several tracks incorporate layered instrumentation, with guitars and harmonicas weaving together to enhance the storytelling aspect.
- The lyrics often employ vivid imagery and personal narratives, allowing listeners to engage deeply with the themes presented in each song.
- 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
- stories of rugged resilience
- reflective moments on long drives
- cathartic releases of emotion
- melancholic tunes for solitude
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced songs
- want polished studio production
Where this album fits
- Career context
- When 'Tomorrowland' was released in 2012, Ryan Bingham was transitioning from his breakthrough with 'Junky Star' (2010) and establishing himself as a significant voice in Americana music. This album followed his Oscar-winning song ‘The Weary Kind’ from the film 'Crazy Heart', marking a period of increased visibility and artistic exploration for Bingham.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Sturgill Simpson· Chris Stapleton· Jason Isbell
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Beg for Broken Legs 4:14
- 2 Western Shore 6:02
- 3 Flower Bomb 4:07
- 4 Guess Who's Knockin' 4:03
- 5 Heart of Rhythm 3:35
- 6 I Heard 'Em Say 4:01
- 7 Rising of the Ghetto 8:07
- 8 No Help From God 6:41
- 9 Keep It Together 4:31
- 10 Never Far Behind 6:11
- 11 The Road I'm On 2:19
- 12 Neverending Show 4:59
- 13 Too Deep to Fill 3:45
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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