Wax & Gold
Tracy Bonham · 2015
39 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock
A blend of introspective lyrics and melodic hooks wrapped in a warm, folk-infused alternative rock sound.
Top tracks — play these first
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Noonday Demon — This track opens the album with a haunting melody that captures themes of internal struggle and self-reflection, setting the tone for the entire record.
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Wax & Gold — The title track encapsulates the album's exploration of duality, contrasting light and dark imagery while showcasing Bonham's signature lyrical style.
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This Here’s My Grandpa’s Guitar — This song stands out for its nostalgic storytelling and emotional resonance, as it connects personal history with broader themes of legacy.
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Black Tears — With its raw honesty and rich musicality, this track delves into vulnerability and heartache, highlighting Bonham's growth as a songwriter.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines melodic hooks and introspective lyrics but lacks a strong cohesive narrative throughout.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks establish a mid-tempo groove, while the fourth track introduces a more stripped-down arrangement with acoustic guitar.
- Several songs feature layered vocal harmonies that create a rich texture, particularly in the choruses.
- The album closes with a gradual build-up in intensity, culminating in the final track which features a more expansive instrumental arrangement.
- 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
- steady mid-tempo reflective moments
- introspective lyrics for deep thinking
- emotional landscapes for quiet evenings
- engaging narratives throughout the album
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy tracks
- prefer standalone singles over cohesion
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2015, Wax & Gold marked Tracy Bonham's return to the music scene after an extended hiatus following her breakthrough debut, The Burdens of Being Upright. This album comes nearly two decades after her last studio effort, showcasing a matured artistry and deepened lyrical insight that reflects her personal journey.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Liz Phair· Fiona Apple· Anya Marina
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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This Here’s My Grandpa’s Guitar
The narrative shifts from childhood memories to reflections on heritage and loss, revealing the significance of the guitar as a family heirloom.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Noonday Demon 3:37
- 2 Luck 3:06
- 3 Wax & Gold 3:21
- 4 This Here’s My Grandpa’s Guitar 4:56
- 5 Oh McKenzie Silver Water 3:06
- 6 Gonegonegone 3:07
- 7 Black Tears 4:23
- 8 From the Tree to the Hand to the Page 3:16
- 9 Under the Ruby Moon 4:26
- 10 Lovelovelovelovelove 3:24
- 11 One of These Days 3:07
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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