Whalebone cover

Whalebone

Marc Douglas Berardo · 2013

53 min · 14 tracks · Americana

Ethereal melodies intertwine with poignant storytelling, capturing the essence of Americana through reflective instrumentation and heartfelt lyrics.

Top tracks — play these first

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    Don't Wait for Me (Slow You Down) — This opening track introduces the album's reflective tone with its gentle melody and introspective lyrics about patience and self-awareness.
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    Sorting Out What Happened in the Night — The song's narrative structure weaves a tale of confusion and clarity, embodying Berardo's strength in storytelling while maintaining an engaging musical backdrop.
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    Hotel on the Bay — With vivid imagery and emotional resonance, this track captures fleeting moments of connection, showcasing Berardo's ability to evoke place and feeling through his lyrics.
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    It's Love — This closing track reflects on love's complexities, balancing lightness with deeper truths that encapsulate the album's overarching themes of life’s journey.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

51 /100
Foothills
Higher than 34% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong songwriting and emotional depth but remains within familiar Americana territory.

What we noticed

  • The first half of the album features more upbeat tracks, while the second half shifts to slower, introspective songs.
  • Several tracks incorporate layered instrumentation, creating a rich soundscape that complements the storytelling.
  • The lyrics often employ vivid imagery and personal anecdotes, enhancing the emotional resonance of the melodies.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
6/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
5/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 2/10

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Don't Wait for Me (Slow You Down) 3:13
  • 2 Sorting Out What Happened in the Night 4:24
  • 3 You Are Already Gone 4:09
  • 4 Hotel on the Bay 4:22
  • 5 My Mistakes 3:14
  • 6 With Every Passing Day 4:36
  • 7 My Friend 3:27
  • 8 Silvermine Daydreamin' 0:15
  • 9 Our Troubles 4:05
  • 10 This Is What I Call Fun 3:04
  • 11 Lightning 5:04
  • 12 It's Love 4:52
  • 13 Wherever I Go 4:35
  • 14 Another Song 4:08

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata