War Elephant
Deer Tick · 2007
47 min · 14 tracks · alternative rock
A raw blend of folk-infused rock and confessional lyrics, echoing the struggles of youth and disillusionment.
Top tracks — play these first
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Long Time — This track encapsulates the album's themes of nostalgia and longing with its heartfelt melody and introspective lyrics, showcasing Deer Tick’s emotional resonance.
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Baltimore Blues No. 1 — The song stands out for its catchy hooks and vivid storytelling, highlighting the band's ability to blend humor with poignant observations about life.
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Christ Jesus — This closing track exemplifies the album’s raw emotional core, featuring haunting vocals and a reflective narrative that leaves a lasting impact on listeners.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines raw songwriting with varied tempos, establishing a distinct sound within its genre.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and dynamics.
- Several tracks incorporate a lo-fi production style, with raw vocal delivery and sparse instrumentation that emphasizes the confessional lyrics.
- The album closes with two tracks that shift to a slower tempo, creating a reflective mood as it concludes.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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
- short bursts of raw emotion
- reflective moments of youthful longing
- engaging sing-alongs with friends
- late-night introspection and contemplation
Maybe skip if you
- prefer polished, radio-ready sounds
- seek long, sprawling compositions
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in January 2007, War Elephant marked Deer Tick's debut album, establishing their place in the alternative rock scene. The band was still relatively unknown at this point, but this album laid the groundwork for their future success and artistic identity.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Avett Brothers· Band of Horses· My Morning Jacket
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Spend the Night
The verse shifts from a playful tone to a stark admission of vulnerability as it contemplates the complexities of relationships.
This transition deepens the emotional weight of the song, contrasting light-heartedness with an unexpected introspection that captures the essence of youthful uncertainty.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Ashamed 2:13
- 2 Art Isn't Real (City of Sin) 2:48
- 3 Standing at the Threshold 2:26
- 4 Dirty Dishes 3:18
- 5 Long Time 3:46
- 6 Nevada 2:46
- 7 Baltimore Blues No. 1 3:02
- 8 These Old Shoes 2:21
- 9 Not So Dense 4:22
- 10 Spend the Night 2:28
- 11 Diamond Rings 2007 4:40
- 12 Sink or Swim 4:53
- 13 Christ Jesus 5:18
- 14 What Kind of Fool Am I? 3:32
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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