We Will Become Like Birds
Erin McKeown · 2005
43 min · 12 tracks · alternative rock
A tapestry of melodic folk-infused rock that weaves introspective storytelling with lush instrumentation and airy vocals.
Top tracks — play these first
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Life on the Moon — This track showcases McKeown's ability to blend vivid imagery with a catchy melody, reflecting a sense of wonder and exploration that resonates throughout the album.
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Beautiful (I Guess) — With its poignant lyrics and haunting melody, this song captures the album's themes of vulnerability and self-reflection, making it a standout moment.
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We Are More — This anthem of resilience combines uplifting instrumentation with powerful lyrics about unity and strength, embodying the overarching message of hope present in the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends folk and rock with strong storytelling, maintaining a cohesive flow despite varied tempos.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features more upbeat tracks, while the second half shifts to slower, more introspective songs.
- Several tracks incorporate layered instrumentation, with strings and harmonies that build gradually throughout the songs.
- The lyrics often employ vivid imagery and personal storytelling, creating a narrative thread that connects many of the tracks.
- 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
- introspective moments for reflection
- warm melodies for cozy evenings
- poignant storytelling through lyrics
- short tracks for quick listens
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy party vibes
- prefering instrumental over lyrical focus
Where this album fits
- Career context
- When Erin McKeown released We Will Become Like Birds in 2005, she was transitioning from her earlier work, which established her as a distinctive voice in the indie music scene. This album followed her critically acclaimed 2003 release, Grand, marking a period where she began to incorporate richer arrangements and broader themes into her songwriting.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Neko Case· Jenny Lewis· Feist
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Aspera 4:27
- 2 Air 3:01
- 3 Life on the Moon 3:48
- 4 To the Stars 3:01
- 5 Beautiful (I Guess) 3:15
- 6 Float 3:41
- 7 We Are More 4:15
- 8 White City 3:26
- 9 The Golden Dream 4:28
- 10 Bells and Bombs 3:03
- 11 Delicate December 3:06
- 12 You Were Right about Everything 4:03
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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