Released 50 years ago
Trick Bag
The Meters · 1976
42 min · 11 tracks · funk
A vibrant fusion of funk grooves and soulful melodies, capturing the essence of 1970s dance culture.
Top tracks — play these first
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Disco Is the Thing Today — This track epitomizes the band's embrace of disco influences, featuring infectious rhythms that invite listeners to dance while retaining a quintessential Meters groove.
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Suite for 20 G — An instrumental piece that showcases The Meters' signature tight musicianship and improvisational skills, blending intricate melodies with funky bass lines.
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Trick Bag — The title track encapsulates the album's playful spirit with its catchy hooks and rhythmic complexity, highlighting the band’s versatility and creative flair.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends funk with disco elements while showcasing strong musicianship and memorable grooves.
What we noticed
- The first track introduces a strong disco beat, which is maintained throughout several subsequent tracks, creating a consistent danceable groove.
- The album features instrumental interludes, such as 'Suite for 20 G', that showcase the band's improvisational skills and provide contrast to the vocal tracks.
- Several songs incorporate layered horn arrangements that add depth and richness to the overall sound, particularly in tracks like 'Trick Bag' and 'Mister Moon'.
- 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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8/10
- 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
Significant within its genre. 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
- dance floor energy throughout
- playful grooves for gatherings
- upbeat vibes for sunny days
- short tracks for quick enjoyment
- catchy hooks to sing along
Maybe skip if you
- slow-paced reflective moments
- introspective deep listening
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in January 1976, Trick Bag was The Meters' fifth studio album and followed their acclaimed record, Fire on the Bayou. At this point, the band was solidifying their reputation as pioneers of funk music, having already influenced countless artists with their distinctive sound. This album marked a continuation of their exploration into diverse musical styles while maintaining their foundational funk roots.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Funk Brothers· Sly and the Family Stone· Earth, Wind & Fire
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Disco Is the Thing Today 4:21
- 2 Find Yourself 4:12
- 3 All These Things 3:32
- 4 I Want to Be Loved by You 5:24
- 5 Suite for 20 G 4:32
- 6 (Doodle Loop) The World Is a Little Bit Under the Weather 3:52
- 7 Trick Bag 3:21
- 8 Mister Moon 4:02
- 9 Chug-A-Lug 3:22
- 10 Hang 'em High 2:17
- 11 Honky Tonk Women 3:16
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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