Where I Come From
New Riders of the Purple Sage · 2009
73 min · 12 tracks · country rock
A vibrant blend of country rock and Americana, echoing the band's storied past while embracing fresh narratives.
Top tracks — play these first
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Where I Come From — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of identity and nostalgia, featuring introspective lyrics paired with an uplifting melody that sets the tone for the record.
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Barracuda Moon — This track showcases a rich instrumental arrangement and vivid imagery, reflecting on personal connections to place while highlighting the band's signature harmonies.
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Ghost Train Blues — An epic closing piece that combines storytelling with expansive instrumentation, this song captures the essence of journey and transformation central to the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends traditional country rock elements with fresh narratives but lacks standout compositions.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a title track that establishes a mid-tempo groove, followed by tracks that alternate between upbeat and reflective tones.
- Several songs feature layered harmonies and instrumental solos, particularly in the choruses, which enhance the country rock feel.
- The last three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, creating a contemplative atmosphere that contrasts with the earlier energy.
- 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 pacing with peaks
- heartfelt lyrics and harmonies
- for reflective road trips
- dynamic journey through emotions
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- dislike longer song durations
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2009, Where I Come From marked the New Riders of the Purple Sage's return after a long hiatus, following their last studio album in 1999. This album represents a rejuvenation period for the band as they sought to reconnect with both old fans and new audiences while showcasing their evolving sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Flying Burrito Brothers· Gram Parsons· Little Feat
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Where I Come From 7:41
- 2 Big Six 4:19
- 3 Barracuda Moon 7:58
- 4 Higher 6:04
- 5 Down the Middle 5:36
- 6 Them Old Minglewood Blues 5:05
- 7 Something in the Air Tonight 4:00
- 8 Olivia Rose 5:25
- 9 Blues Barrel 5:59
- 10 Ghost Train Blues 10:37
- 11 Carl Perkins Wears the Crown 4:34
- 12 Rockin' With Nona 5:58
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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