What Silence Knows
Shara Nelson · 1993
48 min · 10 tracks · pop music
A poignant blend of soulful melodies and introspective lyrics that captures the essence of early '90s pop exploration.
Top tracks — play these first
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Nobody — This track became Nelson's signature hit, featuring a haunting melody paired with deeply emotional lyrics that resonate with feelings of longing and heartache.
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Pain Revisited — This song highlights Nelson's ability to convey vulnerability through its reflective lyrics, making it a standout moment that captures the album's introspective nature.
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What Silence Knows — The title track serves as a culmination of the album's themes, blending lush instrumentation with poignant reflections on silence and emotional depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends soulful melodies with introspective lyrics, showcasing strong songwriting and emotional depth.
What we noticed
- The first track, 'Nobody', features a prominent bassline that drives the rhythm while Nelson's vocals float above, establishing a soulful tone.
- Several tracks incorporate layered harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- The album closes with a title track that features a gradual build-up of instrumentation, culminating in a rich sonic texture that contrasts with earlier, more stripped-down songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- 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.
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Inside Out
The narrative shifts from external observation to an intimate self-reflection.
This shift reveals an internal struggle that deepens the listener's connection to Nelson's personal journey, contrasting outside perceptions with inner turmoil.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Nobody 4:22
- 2 Pain Revisited 5:16
- 3 One Goodbye in Ten 5:50
- 4 Inside Out 3:19
- 5 Uptight 5:04
- 6 Down That Road 5:15
- 7 Chance 3:58
- 8 Thoughts of You 4:16
- 9 How Close 3:59
- 10 What Silence Knows 6:59
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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