What makes Wings of Joy by Cranes notable?

'Wings of Joy' received critical acclaim for its atmospheric sound and intricate arrangements, notably charting on the UK Indie Chart. The album helped to elevate Cranes within the gothic rock and dream pop movements, influencing subsequent artists with its ethereal aesthetic. By 1991, Cranes had established themselves in the dark wave and dream pop scenes with their debut album, 'Cranes,' released in 1990. 'Wings of Joy' marked their sophomore effort, showcasing a maturation in songwriting and production while solidifying their place in the alternative music landscape of the early '90s.

How many songs are on Wings of Joy?

Wings of Joy has 11 tracks, running approximately 44 minutes.

Wings of Joy

Cranes · 1991

44 min · 11 tracks · gothic rock

Ethereal soundscapes blend haunting melodies with atmospheric instrumentation to create a dreamlike listening experience.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Watersong — Opening the album, this track sets the tone with its shimmering guitars and hypnotic vocals, embodying the essence of Cranes' dreamlike sound.
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Beautiful Sadness — This track encapsulates the band's signature blend of melancholy and beauty, featuring poignant lyrics that reflect on longing and emotional depth.
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Hopes Are High — A standout for its upbeat tempo contrasted with introspective lyrics, this song showcases Cranes’ ability to merge lightness with darker themes.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong songwriting and atmospheric production, with cohesive flow and distinct sound within its genre.

What we noticed

The album opens with a slow, atmospheric track that sets a haunting tone, followed by a gradual build in intensity over the first half.
Several tracks feature layered vocals that create a lush soundscape, often intertwining harmonies that contribute to the ethereal quality.
The last three tracks maintain a consistent tempo but shift to more introspective themes, creating a sense of closure as the album concludes.

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 4/10

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Watersong 3:50
2 Thursday 4:23
3 Living and Breathing 3:30
4 Leaves of Summer 3:44
5 Starblood 3:35
6 Sixth of May 4:39
7 Wish 3:58
8 Tomorrow's Tears 3:59
9 Beautiful Sadness 4:04
10 Hopes Are High 2:59
11 Adoration 5:26

What to play next

Listen next

Forever

1993

Go back to

Self-Non-Self

1989

Full Cranes discography Artists like Cranes

dark wave dream pop gothic rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata