What Time Is It? cover

What Time Is It?

The Time · 1982

38 min · 6 tracks · Minneapolis sound

Funky grooves intertwine with playful lyrics, creating an infectious energy that defines the Minneapolis sound.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    777-9311 — This track stands out for its catchy hook and complex arrangements, showcasing the band's signature funk style while becoming a dance floor favorite.
  • →
    Gigolos Get Lonely Too — This song combines smooth melodies with introspective lyrics about loneliness and longing, highlighting a different emotional depth within the album.
  • →
    The Walk — The extended groove of this track emphasizes the band's ability to create captivating rhythms, making it a staple in their live performances.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

64 /100
Treeline
Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong grooves and playful lyrics, solidifying its place in the Minneapolis sound while maintaining distinctiveness.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a high-energy track, 'Wild and Loose', immediately establishing a danceable groove that persists through the first half.
  • Each song features prominent bass lines and layered synthesizers, typical of the Minneapolis sound, creating a cohesive sonic texture.
  • The lyrics often employ playful and humorous themes, particularly in tracks like 'Gigolos Get Lonely Too', which contrasts the upbeat music with lighthearted storytelling.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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.

  • Gigolos Get Lonely Too

    A poignant moment occurs when the narrative shifts from bravado to vulnerability, revealing deeper emotional truths behind the facade of confidence.

    This transition contrasts with earlier assertions of self-assuredness in the song, adding layers to the character's complexity.

Tracklist

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

  • 1 Wild and Loose 7:32
  • 2 777-9311 7:57
  • 3 Onedayi’mgonnabesomebody 2:27
  • 4 The Walk 9:30
  • 5 Gigolos Get Lonely Too 4:40
  • 6 I Don’t Wanna Leave You 6:30

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata