Trouble and Strife
Joan Osborne · 2020
43 min · 10 tracks · folk music
A blend of introspective folk melodies and pop sensibilities, infused with heartfelt storytelling and a touch of soul.
Top tracks — play these first
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Take It Any Way I Can Get It — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its catchy melody and relatable exploration of love's complexities, highlighting Osborne's knack for blending personal narrative with universal themes.
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Never Get Tired (Of Loving You) — A soulful ballad that showcases Osborne's vocal range and emotional delivery, capturing the essence of enduring love amidst life's challenges.
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Trouble and Strife — The title track encapsulates the album's theme of navigating difficulties in relationships, featuring poignant lyrics that reflect resilience and hope.
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Whole Wide World — This track stands out for its infectious rhythm and optimistic outlook, balancing the album's more serious moments with a sense of joy and possibility.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid songwriting and production but lacks standout moments that elevate it significantly.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks establish a steady mid-tempo groove, while the fourth introduces a more soulful vocal delivery that shifts the album's energy.
- Several songs feature layered harmonies that build in intensity, particularly in the choruses, creating a rich texture.
- The final track closes with a gradual fade-out, allowing for a reflective conclusion after the preceding upbeat material.
- 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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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
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- introspective reflections on relationships
- soulful warmth for afternoon drives
- vibrant instrumentation with lyrical depth
- steady pacing for thoughtful listening
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification tracks
- prefer upbeat party anthems
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on September 18, 2020, 'Trouble and Strife' is Joan Osborne's sixth studio album, following her 2016 release, 'Love and Hate.' At this point in her career, Osborne has transitioned from her breakthrough 1995 hit 'One of Us' to exploring deeper personal themes in her music, reflecting a matured artistic vision shaped by years of experience.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Shawn Colvin· Sarah McLachlan· Natalie Merchant
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Take It Any Way I Can Get It 4:06
- 2 What's That You Say 4:23
- 3 Hands Off 4:20
- 4 Never Get Tired (Of Loving You) 5:04
- 5 Trouble and Strife 4:05
- 6 Whole Wide World 5:03
- 7 Meat and Potatoes 4:02
- 8 Boy Dontcha Know 4:21
- 9 That Was a Lie 3:40
- 10 Panama 4:15
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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