What makes Wintersmith by Steeleye Span notable?

Wintersmith received significant acclaim for its imaginative interpretation of Pratchett's narrative, earning a nomination for Best Album at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Additionally, it reaffirmed Steeleye Span's influence on contemporary folk music, highlighting their ability to blend traditional themes with modern sensibilities. Released in 2013, Wintersmith marks Steeleye Span's fifteenth studio album, showcasing their continued evolution in the British folk rock scene. This album follows their previous work, 2010's Cogs, and reflects a deepened collaboration with author Terry Pratchett, as it is inspired by his novel of the same name.

Who is Wintersmith for?

Wintersmith works well if you're into whimsical storytelling through music, dynamic journey with emotional peaks and immersive experience in winter themes.

How many songs are on Wintersmith?

Wintersmith has 16 tracks, running approximately 63 minutes.

Wintersmith

Steeleye Span · 2013

63 min · 16 tracks · folk rock

A rich tapestry of folk melodies and narratives woven through vibrant instrumentation and enchanting storytelling.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Wintersmith — The title track encapsulates the album’s themes of seasonal change and transformation through haunting melodies and vivid lyrical imagery.
→
The Dark Morris Song — This track delves into the darker aspects of folklore, featuring intricate harmonies that reflect the song's mysterious narrative.
→
We Shall Wear Midnight — A powerful conclusion to the album, this song blends evocative lyrics with dynamic instrumentation, encapsulating the overarching themes of resilience and magic.

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

Wintersmith showcases strong storytelling through rich instrumentation and vocal harmonies, maintaining a cohesive flow across its tracks.

What we noticed

The album opens with an overture that introduces themes and motifs that recur throughout the tracks.
Several songs feature layered vocal harmonies, creating a rich texture that enhances the storytelling.
Tracks often transition smoothly into one another, maintaining a cohesive flow while exploring different narrative perspectives.

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

whimsical storytelling through music
dynamic journey with emotional peaks
immersive experience in winter themes
for cozy evening listening
engaging narrative arcs throughout

Maybe skip if you

prefer immediate gratification tracks
dislike prolonged musical explorations

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 2013, Wintersmith marks Steeleye Span's fifteenth studio album, showcasing their continued evolution in the British folk rock scene. This album follows their previous work, 2010's Cogs, and reflects a deepened collaboration with author Terry Pratchett, as it is inspired by his novel of the same name.
Stylistic neighbors: Fairport Convention· Pentangle· The Albion Band