Wide Open
Michael McDonald · 2017
71 min · 12 tracks · pop music
A blend of soulful melodies and introspective lyrics woven through smooth, polished arrangements that reflect McDonald's enduring artistry.
Top tracks — play these first
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Find It in Your Heart — The track features an uplifting message about self-discovery and healing, encapsulating the album's core themes while highlighting McDonald's vocal prowess.
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Half Truth — This song combines poignant lyrics with a catchy melody, reflecting McDonald's skill in blending emotional storytelling with accessible pop sensibilities.
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Free a Man — 'Free a Man' stands out for its soulful arrangement and introspective lyrics, serving as a powerful closer that resonates with themes of liberation and personal growth.
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 polished production but lacks standout moments that elevate it significantly.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features mid-tempo tracks that build a consistent groove, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and emotional dynamics.
- Several songs incorporate layered vocal harmonies, with McDonald often singing in tandem with background vocals rather than taking a solo lead.
- The arrangements frequently feature smooth instrumentation, including prominent keyboard and guitar parts that create a polished sound throughout.
- 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
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 mid-tempo reflective moments
- introspective ballads for quiet nights
- soulful grooves for relaxed afternoons
- warm vocals for emotional connection
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of fast-paced tracks
- prefer short, standalone songs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in January 2017, Wide Open is Michael McDonald's first album of original material since 2008's Soul Speak, marking a significant return to songwriting after several years focused on covers and collaborations. This album showcases McDonald's distinctive voice and style, continuing his legacy in blue-eyed soul while exploring new themes of vulnerability and resilience.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Toto· Steely Dan· Hall & Oates
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Hail Mary 6:52
- 2 Just Strong Enough 7:59
- 3 Find It in Your Heart 5:47
- 4 Half Truth 5:42
- 5 Ain't No Good 4:26
- 6 Honest Emotion 5:32
- 7 Blessing in Disguise 5:57
- 8 Dark Side 5:53
- 9 If You Wanted to Hurt Me 5:14
- 10 Beautiful Child 6:09
- 11 Too Short 5:23
- 12 Free a Man 6:07
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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