What makes What's It All About by Pat Metheny notable?

What's It All About garnered critical acclaim for its intimate approach to cover songs, showcasing Metheny's unique interpretations that breathed new life into familiar melodies. The album peaked at number one on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart, further solidifying Metheny's reputation as a leading figure in contemporary jazz. When Pat Metheny released What's It All About in 2011, he was in a phase of revisiting and reinterpreting classic tunes, following a decade marked by innovative projects. This album came after his acclaimed work with the Unity Band and showcased his ability to distill complex emotions into simple arrangements, emphasizing his signature guitar style.

Who is What's It All About for?

What's It All About works well if you're into steady melodic flow throughout, nostalgic reflections on classics and for quiet evenings.

How many songs are on What's It All About?

What's It All About has 10 tracks, running approximately 55 minutes.

What's It All About

Pat Metheny · 2011

55 min · 10 tracks · jazz

A reflective guitar-driven journey through timeless classics, blending jazz sensibilities with emotional depth and intricate melodies.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Sound of Silence — This track opens the album with hauntingly beautiful guitar work, transforming the familiar Simon & Garfunkel classic into a meditative exploration of silence and sound.
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Garota de Ipanema — Metheny's rendition of this bossa nova staple highlights his ability to blend jazz improvisation with Brazilian rhythms, creating a lush sonic landscape.
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And I Love Her — His interpretation of this Beatles ballad showcases Metheny's lyrical guitar phrasing, evoking deep emotion while paying homage to the original's romantic essence.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album's reflective nature and intricate guitar work create a cohesive and engaging listening experience.

What we noticed

Each track features a prominent guitar melody, often accompanied by sparse instrumentation that highlights the emotional nuances of the pieces.
The album maintains a consistent tempo throughout, with most tracks falling into a relaxed, contemplative groove.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. 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

steady melodic flow throughout
nostalgic reflections on classics
for quiet evenings
thoughtful background for conversations

Maybe skip if you

seekers of high-energy tracks
prefer standalone hit singles

Where this album fits

Career context: When Pat Metheny released What's It All About in 2011, he was in a phase of revisiting and reinterpreting classic tunes, following a decade marked by innovative projects. This album came after his acclaimed work with the Unity Band and showcased his ability to distill complex emotions into simple arrangements, emphasizing his signature guitar style.
Stylistic neighbors: Brad Mehldau· John Scofield· Chick Corea