Tony Was an Ex-Con
The Coronas · 2009
42 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock
Melodic alternative rock intertwines heartfelt storytelling with vibrant instrumentation, creating an engaging soundscape throughout the album.
Top tracks — play these first
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Tony Was an Ex-Con — This title track encapsulates the album's themes of redemption and personal struggle through a catchy melody and poignant lyrics that resonate deeply.
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Someone Else's Hands — This track showcases a blend of introspective lyrics and soaring choruses, embodying the emotional core of the record while demonstrating the band's songwriting maturity.
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Point Me Towards the Sky — With its reflective tone and uplifting arrangement, this song stands out as a moment of hope amidst the album's more somber narratives.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines energetic melodies with narrative-driven lyrics, creating a solid but not entry in alternative rock.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature driving rhythms and layered guitar melodies, establishing a high energy that persists until the fourth track.
- Several songs incorporate call-and-response vocal patterns, enhancing the storytelling aspect of the lyrics.
- The album closes with a gradual deceleration in tempo, with the last two tracks featuring softer instrumentation and introspective themes.
- 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
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
- heartfelt storytelling with vibrant instrumentation
- catchy melodies for sing-alongs
- short tracks with engaging narratives
- feel-good energy for gatherings
Maybe skip if you
- prefer heavy, experimental soundscapes
- seek lengthy, immersive albums
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2009, Tony Was an Ex-Con marked The Coronas' second studio album, following their debut, Heroes or Ghosts. By this time, they were establishing themselves within the Irish music scene, building on their growing fanbase and critical acclaim from their previous work.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Script· Kodaline· Snow Patrol
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Won't Leave You Alone 3:52
- 2 Far From Here 4:16
- 3 Someone Else's Hands 4:27
- 4 Listen Dear 3:33
- 5 This Is Not a Test 4:14
- 6 Warm 3:54
- 7 Tony Was an Ex-Con 3:11
- 8 Point Me Towards the Sky 3:01
- 9 Sandy 2:47
- 10 Faith in Faith 4:34
- 11 All the Luck in the World 4:13
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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