Released 30 years ago
Trampoline
Joe Henry · 1996
41 min · 9 tracks · alternative country
A whimsical blend of alternative country and folk, woven together with sharp storytelling and evocative melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
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Trampoline — The title track encapsulates the album's playful yet poignant spirit, combining vivid imagery with an infectious melody that invites listeners into Henry's reflective world.
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Ohio Air Show Plane Crash — This track stands out for its haunting narrative style, chronicling a tragic event with a blend of surrealism and stark reality that showcases Henry's lyrical prowess.
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Let Me Have It All — With its rich instrumentation and emotionally charged vocals, this song serves as a powerful exploration of desire and vulnerability, illustrating Henry's ability to evoke deep feelings through music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong storytelling and varied arrangements but lacks a fully cohesive flow.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a spoken word piece that sets a whimsical tone, followed by tracks that blend narrative lyrics with varied instrumentation.
- Several songs feature unexpected shifts in tempo and mood, such as the transition from the reflective 'Ohio Air Show Plane Crash' to the more upbeat 'Trampoline'.
- The final track, 'Parade', incorporates a gradual build-up of instrumentation that culminates in a rich, layered sound, contrasting with earlier sparse arrangements.
- 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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7/10
- 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
- whimsical storytelling with vivid imagery
- short tracks for quick engagement
- reflective moments for quiet contemplation
- playful energy for casual listening
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy dance tracks
- prefer longer, immersive compositions
Where this album fits
- Career context
- In 1996, Joe Henry released Trampoline as his third studio album, following the critically acclaimed album Kindness. At this point in his career, he was establishing himself as a distinctive voice in alternative country, characterized by intricate lyrics and diverse musical influences.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Iron & Wine· Sufjan Stevens· Josh Ritter
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Bob & Ray 3:44
- 2 Ohio Air Show Plane Crash 6:30
- 3 Trampoline 4:34
- 4 Flower Girl 2:58
- 5 Let Me Have It All 5:11
- 6 Medicine 5:03
- 7 Go With God (Topless Shoeshine) 4:43
- 8 I Was a Playboy 4:33
- 9 Parade 4:17
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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