What Was Left
Clare Bowditch · 2005
74 min · 18 tracks · traditional folk music
A haunting blend of folk melodies and introspective lyrics that evoke the complexity of love and loss.
Top tracks — play these first
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Divorcee by 23 — This track poignantly captures the struggles of youthful disillusionment and societal expectations surrounding relationships, showcasing Bowditch's lyrical prowess.
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The Thing About Grief — With its raw emotional depth, this song explores the nuances of loss and mourning, resonating with listeners through its relatable narrative.
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Yes I Miss You Like the Rain — This closing track encapsulates longing and nostalgia with its reflective tone, leaving a lasting impression as the album's emotional climax.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting with emotional depth but has some uneven pacing in its later tracks.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces slower ballads that shift the emotional tone.
- Several tracks utilize a call-and-response vocal style, creating a conversational dynamic between the singer and backing vocals.
- The lyrics often employ vivid imagery and personal anecdotes, enhancing the introspective quality of the melodies.
- 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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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
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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The Thing About Grief
The song shifts from reminiscing about lost love to confronting the lingering pain of absence.
This transition highlights the duality of memories — both sweet and painful — capturing the complexity of grief.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Starry Picking Night 5:51
- 2 Lips Like Oranges 3:57
- 3 I Thought You Were God 4:30
- 4 Winding Up 3:23
- 5 Divorcee by 23 3:39
- 6 Which Way to Go 4:10
- 7 The Thing About Grief 4:43
- 8 Strange Questions 6:15
- 9 When I Was Five 4:31
- 10 Little Self Centred Queen 3:00
- 11 Just Might Do 4:03
- 12 On This Side 4:02
- 13 Yes I Miss You Like the Rain 2:11
Disc 2
- 1 Good Grief 4:09
- 2 Divorcee by 23 3:32
- 3 Empty Pockets 3:33
- 4 Buddy 4:21
- 5 I Thought You Were God 4:13
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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