What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits
The Doobie Brothers · 1974
44 min · 12 tracks · pop music
A smooth blend of rock and pop infused with soulful harmonies and laid-back grooves that define the Doobie Brothers' signature sound.
Top tracks — play these first
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Song to See You Through Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Black Water — This track stands out as a quintessential Doobie Brothers hit, merging catchy melodies with rich vocal harmonies and a memorable chorus that captures their essence.
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Another Park, Another Sunday — With its introspective lyrics and smooth instrumentation, this song reflects the band's ability to weave soulful storytelling into a pop-rock format.
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Eyes of Silver — The track's blend of rhythmic bass lines and emotive vocals showcases the band's versatility while highlighting their blue-eyed soul influences.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid songwriting and craftsmanship but lacks a strong cohesive arc throughout.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks establish a mid-tempo groove, while the fourth track, 'Black Water', introduces a shift with its distinctive vocal harmonies and slower pace.
- Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies that create a rich texture, particularly in 'Eyes of Silver' and 'Another Park, Another Sunday'.
- The album includes instrumental interludes that allow for transitions between songs, such as the smooth segue from 'Road Angel' to 'You Just Can’t Stop It'.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- 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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- long, immersive listening sessions
- reflective road trip vibes
- subtle emotional storytelling
- steady, consistent energy levels
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified their reputation with hits like Black Water, following earlier success.
- Themes
- California sunsets· soulful storytelling· nostalgic reflections
- Career context
- Released in January 1974, What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits marked the Doobie Brothers' fourth studio album. Following their breakthrough with the previous album, The Captain and Me, this release continued to solidify their place in the rock and pop landscape of the early '70s.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Eagles· Chicago· Hall & Oates
Tracklist
- 1 Song to See You Through Start here 4:07
- 2 Spirit 3:16
- 3 Pursuit on 53rd St. 2:35
- 4 Black Water 4:21
- 5 Eyes of Silver 3:00
- 6 Road Angel 4:48
- 7 You Just Can’t Stop It 3:31
- 8 Tell Me What You Want (And I’ll Give You What You Need) 3:55
- 9 Down in the Track 4:17
- 10 Another Park, Another Sunday 4:31
- 11 Daughters of the Sea 4:34
- 12 Flying Cloud 1:59
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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