You Were Right
Brendan Benson · 2013
46 min · 15 tracks · alternative rock
A vibrant blend of power pop hooks and introspective lyrics wrapped in jangly guitars and infectious melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
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It's Your Choice — This opener sets the tone for the album with its infectious chorus and relatable lyrics about decision-making in relationships, combining catchy pop sensibilities with deep emotion.
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Swallow You Whole — This track stands out for its blend of vulnerability and upbeat instrumentation, reflecting on the complexities of love and desire with a memorable hook.
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New Words of Wisdom — With introspective lyrics that delve into personal growth and self-reflection, this song showcases Benson's lyrical prowess and ability to connect with listeners on a deeper level.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong melodies and solid production but lacks a cohesive narrative across its length.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features upbeat tracks with driving rhythms, while the second half shifts to more reflective and slower tempos.
- Several songs incorporate layered vocal harmonies that enhance the melodic hooks, particularly in the choruses.
- The instrumentation prominently features jangly guitars and a consistent use of bright, punchy production throughout.
- 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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5/10
- 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
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
- breezy afternoon sing-alongs
- short tracks for quick listens
- melodic hooks for easy enjoyment
- introspective moments of reflection
Maybe skip if you
- long immersive listening experiences
- slow-paced, drawn-out compositions
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in early 2013, You Were Right is Brendan Benson's fifth studio album, following his 2009 release, My Old, Familiar Friend. At this stage in his career, Benson was solidifying his reputation as a respected figure in the indie rock scene while continuing to explore themes of love and personal growth.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Jason Falkner· Ben Kweller· The Shins
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 It's Your Choice 3:34
- 2 Rejuvenate Me 2:26
- 3 As of Tonight 3:07
- 4 Diamond 2:58
- 5 Long Term Goal 2:42
- 6 I Don't Wanna See You Anymore 3:15
- 7 I'll Never Tell 3:16
- 8 Swallow You Whole 3:41
- 9 She's Trying to Poison Me 2:31
- 10 Purely Automatic 4:34
- 11 New Words of Wisdom 3:02
- 12 Oh My Love 2:57
- 13 The Fritz 1:37
- 14 Swimming 3:49
- 15 Red White and Blues 3:00
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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