Turn
Great Big Sea · 1999
43 min · 13 tracks · Celtic rock
An infectious blend of Celtic melodies and rock energy, infused with a sense of maritime storytelling and communal celebration.
Top tracks — play these first
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Feel It Turn — This track encapsulates the album's spirit with its upbeat rhythm and lyrical theme of embracing change and movement, resonating with listeners seeking positivity.
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Jack Hinks — A lively rendition that showcases the band’s traditional roots while blending modern rock elements, making it a standout track for both fans and new listeners alike.
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Margarita — With its catchy chorus and playful narrative about longing and adventure, this song exemplifies Great Big Sea's ability to fuse humor with heartfelt emotion.
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I'm a Rover — This rousing cover highlights the band’s knack for transforming traditional songs into anthemic celebrations, inviting audience participation with its infectious energy.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends Celtic melodies with rock energy, showcasing strong storytelling and vibrant arrangements.
What we noticed
- Several tracks feature traditional Celtic instruments like the fiddle and accordion, creating a distinct folk sound.
- The lyrics often tell stories or depict scenes from maritime life, enhancing the communal and celebratory feel of the music.
- The final track slows down significantly, providing a contrast to the preceding energetic songs and allowing for a reflective conclusion.
- 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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6/10
- 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
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
- infectious sing-along choruses
- communal celebration of storytelling
- short bursts of energetic fun
- playful melodies for gatherings
Maybe skip if you
- prefer introspective, slow songs
- want lengthy, immersive albums
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1999, Turn marked Great Big Sea's fifth studio album during a period of burgeoning popularity in North America. Following their breakthrough album, Up, which solidified their signature sound, this release further established them as leading figures in the Canadian folk-rock scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Pogues· Flogging Molly· Altan
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Consequence Free 3:13
- 2 Feel It Turn 3:45
- 3 Jack Hinks 3:01
- 4 Demasduit Dream 3:30
- 5 Boston and St. John's 3:46
- 6 Margarita 3:26
- 7 Trois navires de blé 4:27
- 8 Ferryland Sealer 3:15
- 9 Can't Stop Falling 3:22
- 10 Old Brown's Daughter 2:40
- 11 I'm a Rover 2:51
- 12 Captain Wedderburn 3:36
- 13 Bad as I Am 2:52
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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