Trouble in Mind
Hayes Carll · 2008
50 min · 14 tracks · country music
A blend of witty storytelling and heartfelt melodies that captures the essence of modern Americana and country music.
Top tracks — play these first
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Drunken Poet's Dream — This opening track sets the tone with its playful narrative style, showcasing Carll's knack for blending humor with poignant observations on life and love.
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Bad Liver and a Broken Heart — Here, Carll combines a traditional country sound with raw honesty about heartbreak and excess, encapsulating the album’s thematic core.
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She Left Me for Jesus — This song stands out for its clever lyrics that critique religious hypocrisy while delivering a catchy melody, marking it as one of Carll's signature pieces.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends storytelling with catchy melodies, showcasing solid craftsmanship but lacking a strong cohesive arc.
What we noticed
- Many songs incorporate acoustic instrumentation, particularly guitar and piano, creating an intimate sound that complements the storytelling.
- The pacing varies throughout, with some tracks maintaining a steady mid-tempo while others shift to slower ballads or upbeat rhythms.
- 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
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
- witty storytelling with heart
- late-night whiskey reflections
- easygoing sing-alongs with friends
- nostalgic tales of love lost
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy tracks
- prefer abstract or experimental sounds
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2008, Trouble in Mind is Hayes Carll's third studio album, following his breakthrough record, Little Rock. At this point in his career, Carll was establishing himself as a prominent voice within the Texas country scene, building on the success of his earlier work and gaining recognition for his sharp lyrics and engaging performances.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ryan Bingham· Sturgill Simpson· Kacey Musgraves
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Drunken Poet's Dream 3:29
- 2 It's a Shame 3:48
- 3 Girl Downtown 3:28
- 4 Bad Liver and a Broken Heart 4:23
- 5 Beaumont 3:27
- 6 I Got a Gig 4:00
- 7 Faulkner Street 3:26
- 8 Wild as a Turkey 2:29
- 9 Don't Let Me Fall 3:46
- 10 A Lover Like You 4:23
- 11 I Don't Wanna Grow Up 3:37
- 12 Knockin' Over Whiskeys 2:55
- 13 Willing to Love Again 3:26
- 14 She Left Me for Jesus 4:04
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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