Words and Music
Paul Kelly · 1998
68 min · 15 tracks · Australian rock
A vibrant fusion of Australian rock with poignant storytelling, layered melodies, and heartfelt lyrics that resonate deeply.
Top tracks — play these first
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How to Make Gravy — This track is a narrative-driven classic that blends humor and heartbreak, capturing the essence of Kelly's songwriting skills with its vivid storytelling.
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Little Kings — Opening the album with an evocative exploration of familial relationships, this song sets the tone for the personal themes that pervade the record.
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Words and Music — The title track encapsulates the album's exploration of creativity and expression, showcasing Kelly's reflective lyricism and melodic prowess.
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I'd Rather Go Blind — This cover adds a soulful depth to the album, highlighting Kelly's ability to reinterpret classics while infusing them with his unique emotional resonance.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong storytelling and varied instrumentation, though it doesn't fully stand out in its genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a mid-tempo track that sets a reflective tone, followed by a series of songs that alternate between upbeat and introspective.
- Several tracks feature layered instrumentation, with guitar and piano often intertwining to create rich melodic textures.
- 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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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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
- heartfelt storytelling in melodies
- reflective moments for quiet evenings
- engaging narratives for thoughtful listening
- rich emotional landscapes throughout
- warmth for cozy gatherings
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of high-energy tracks
- prefer short, standalone singles
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the release of 'Words and Music' in 1998, Paul Kelly was already an established figure in Australian music, known for his compelling songwriting. This album followed his critically acclaimed work in the 1990s, particularly after the success of 'Gossip' in 1997. It marks a period where Kelly was honing his craft while experimenting with different musical styles.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Crowded House· Midnight Oil· Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Little Kings 5:17
- 2 I'll Be Your Lover 4:12
- 3 Nothing on My Mind 4:55
- 4 Words and Music 4:40
- 5 How to Make Gravy 4:37
- 6 Gutless Wonder 4:56
- 7 Tease Me 4:08
- 8 I'd Rather Go Blind 3:13
- 9 She Answers the Sun (Lazybones) 5:24
- 10 Beat of Your Heart 5:48
- 11 It Started With a Kiss 4:15
- 12 Glory Be to God 4:06
- 13 Saturday Night and Sunday Morning 4:06
- 14 Charlie Owen's Slide Guitar 3:47
- 15 Melting 5:12
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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