Witchazel
Matt Berry · 2009
49 min · 13 tracks
A whimsical blend of folk, psychedelia, and humor wrapped in lush instrumentation and Berry's distinctive baritone.
Top tracks — play these first
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Accident at a Harvest Festival — This track stands out with its playful narrative and catchy melody, encapsulating the album’s whimsical nature while highlighting Berry's storytelling prowess.
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Take My Hand — A hauntingly beautiful love song that showcases Berry's emotive vocal delivery and rich instrumentation that define much of the album's character.
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Rain Came Down — With its lush arrangements and introspective lyrics, this track reflects the album's thematic depth while maintaining a light-hearted charm.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases inventive songwriting and rich arrangements, making it distinct within its genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a spoken word piece that sets a whimsical tone, followed by tracks that blend acoustic instruments with layered harmonies.
- Several tracks feature abrupt shifts in tempo and mood, such as 'Accident at a Harvest Festival' which transitions from a lighthearted melody to darker lyrical themes.
- Berry's baritone voice is often accompanied by rich instrumentation, including strings and woodwinds, creating a lush soundscape that supports the narrative of each song.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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
- whimsical storytelling with humor
- short bursts of playful energy
- immersive moments of gentle reflection
- warm sounds for cozy evenings
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward, serious music
- want high-energy dance tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2009, 'Witchazel' is Matt Berry's third studio album, following 'Jackanory' and marking a deeper exploration of his musical style. At this point in his career, Berry was gaining recognition not just as an actor but also as a unique voice in music, showcasing his ability to merge comedy with heartfelt songwriting.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Black Seeds· Jungle· Tom Misch
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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So Low
The shift in perspective where the speaker directly confronts their feelings about isolation creates an intimate connection with the listener.
This moment marks a departure from the more whimsical tone of earlier songs, allowing for a raw vulnerability that enhances the emotional weight of the album.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 An Awakening 0:46
- 2 Take My Hand 3:11
- 3 Accident at a Harvest Festival 3:25
- 4 A Song for Rosie 2:50
- 5 So Low 3:16
- 6 Look in My Book 2:25
- 7 The Pheasant 8:42
- 8 Woman 3:32
- 9 The Badger’s Wake 3:49
- 10 Rain Came Down 4:12
- 11 From the Manger to the Mortuary 5:10
- 12 Into the Sky 3:10
- 13 Roosting Time 5:24
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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