What's Wrong with This Picture?
Van Morrison · 2003
63 min · 13 tracks · jazz fusion
A rich tapestry of jazz-inflected melodies and introspective lyrics that blend Morrison's signature style with contemplative storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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What’s Wrong With This Picture? Start here — This title track sets the tone for the album, blending jazz rhythms with a poignant exploration of existential themes that permeate throughout.
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Evening in June — A beautifully arranged piece that captures the warmth of summer evenings, this track highlights Morrison's lyrical prowess and evocative imagery.
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Stop Drinking — This song stands out with its bluesy instrumentation and raw emotional narrative, addressing themes of addiction and personal struggle with honesty.
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Saint James Infirmary — Morrison's rendition of this classic showcases his deep vocal expression and ability to reinterpret traditional songs through his unique lens.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends jazz elements with Morrison's style but lacks a strong cohesive narrative throughout.
What we noticed
- The pacing varies significantly, with some tracks maintaining a steady groove while others shift to more contemplative, slower tempos.
- 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
- wave-like emotional peaks
- contemplative afternoon reflections
- intimate moments of solitude
- rich storytelling through melodies
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer standalone singles
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Showcases continued vitality and innovation in Morrison's extensive career.
- Themes
- societal disillusionment· Celtic nostalgia· addiction struggles
- Career context
- By the time 'What's Wrong with This Picture?' was released in 2003, Van Morrison was already an established artist with a career spanning over four decades. This album marked his 30th studio release, showcasing his continued evolution as a songwriter and performer while reflecting on themes of loneliness and nostalgia.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Leonard Cohen· Bob Dylan· John Hiatt
Tracklist
- 1 What’s Wrong With This Picture? Start here 6:00
- 2 Whinin’ Boy Moan 4:17
- 3 Evening in June 4:00
- 4 Too Many Myths 4:32
- 5 Somerset 4:09
- 6 Meaning of Loneliness 6:41
- 7 Stop Drinking 3:24
- 8 Goldfish Bowl 6:01
- 9 Once in a Blue Moon 3:30
- 10 Saint James Infirmary 5:32
- 11 Little Village 4:30
- 12 Fame 5:21
- 13 Get On With the Show 5:40
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Mystic Pinball
John Hiatt
Explores personal struggles and societal themes with a blend of rock and bluesy undertones.
The Convincer
Nick Lowe
Combines soulful melodies with introspective lyrics, sharing a reflective atmosphere.
Gossip in the Grain
Ray LaMontagne
Merges folk-rock and soul elements, focusing on emotional depth and life's complexities.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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