Top tracks — play these first
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What Sound — The title track encapsulates the album's essence with its ethereal sound and thought-provoking lyrics, setting a contemplative tone for the record.
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I Cry — This track stands out for its poignant exploration of vulnerability, supported by evocative melodies that highlight the duo's dynamic vocal interplay.
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Gabriel — With its rich instrumentation and powerful delivery, Gabriel serves as a high point on the album, illustrating themes of longing and transcendence.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's immersive soundscapes and innovative production mark it as a strong entry in the trip hop genre.
What we noticed
- Vocals are often processed with effects, creating a haunting quality that intertwines with the instrumental layers rather than dominating them.
- Several tracks feature abrupt transitions between sections, such as 'I Cry' which shifts from a subdued verse to a more intense chorus without warning.
- 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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8/10
- 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
- immersive soundscapes for deep listening
- haunting vocals that linger
- patient unfolding of emotional landscapes
- atmospheric textures for introspection
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced tracks
- seek immediate gratification in music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- What Sound is Lamb's third studio album, released in 2001, following their acclaimed sophomore effort, Fear of Fours. By this time, the duo had solidified their signature sound and were exploring a more diverse range of influences, showcasing maturation both musically and lyrically as they navigated the evolving trip hop landscape.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Portishead· Massive Attack· FKA twigs
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 What Sound 3:42
- 2 One 4:17
- 3 Sweet 3:53
- 4 I Cry 5:25
- 5 Scratch Bass 4:47
- 6 Heaven 5:00
- 7 Small 5:21
- 8 Gabriel 4:20
- 9 Sweetheart 4:09
- 10 Just Is 6:42
- 11 Gabriel (Veena Harlem mix) 3:45
- 12 What Sound (Tom Middleton Deep Step mix) 7:39
- 13 Random 3:48
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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