Complete List Of Duncan Sheik Albums And Discography

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This Complete List Of Duncan Sheik Albums And Songs presents the full discography of Duncan Sheik studio albums. Duncan Sheik’s musical career has been a compelling journey through various facets of music, from pop-rock to musical theater. He first gained recognition in the late 1990s with the success of his self-titled debut album, which included the hit single “Barely Breathing.” The song not only garnered him commercial success but also critical acclaim, earning him a Grammy nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. However, this initial commercial success was not indicative of the path Sheik would eventually take.

Sheik’s early work reflected the introspective singer-songwriter tradition, with influences ranging from folk to rock and electronic music. However, his subsequent albums like “Humming” and “Phantom Moon” took a different route. While “Humming” maintained a pop-rock sensibility, it included more complex orchestral arrangements. “Phantom Moon,” on the other hand, was a full departure, focusing on acoustic instrumentation and featuring lyrics by playwright Steven Sater.

The collaboration with Sater proved to be transformative for Sheik. The duo went on to work on the groundbreaking musical “Spring Awakening,” which debuted in 2006. The musical was an instant hit, receiving eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and a Grammy for Best Musical Show Album. “Spring Awakening” was a cultural phenomenon, lauded for its raw and authentic portrayal of adolescence, and its success pushed Sheik into a different level of recognition, now as a composer for theatre.

After the immense success of “Spring Awakening,” Sheik continued to work in musical theater while also maintaining his solo career. He released a series of albums that experimented with various styles and themes, such as “Whisper House,” which was also turned into a stage musical, and “Covers 80s,” an album where he gave his own unique take on classic ’80s songs.

In 2015, Sheik returned to original solo work with “Legerdemain,” an album that saw him diving deeper into intricate musical arrangements and mature thematic content. The album was well-received and marked a return to the form of a musician who had spent considerable time in the theater.

It’s worth noting that Sheik’s impact extends beyond albums and stage productions. He has contributed to film scores, collaborated with other artists, and remained an influential figure in discussions about both pop and theatre music

DUNCAN SHEIK STUDIO ALBUMS

Duncan Sheik

Released 1996

Duncan Sheik’s eponymous debut album was an instant hit, largely thanks to the single “Barely Breathing,” which remained on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 55 weeks. The album mixed elements of folk, rock, and pop and showcased Sheik’s unique songwriting and emotive vocal style.

The album featured Duncan Sheik on vocals, guitar, and keyboards, with additional musicians such as guitarist Rupert Hine. The album was produced by Rupert Hine and was released on Atlantic Records. It was recorded at various locations including Maison Rouge in London and The Hit Factory in New York, between 1995 and 1996.

CD Track Listings:

“She Runs Away” – 3:41
“In the Absence of Sun” – 4:01
“Barely Breathing” – 4:15
“Reasons for Living” – 4:33
“Days Go By” – 4:44
“Cliche” – 3:40
“Serena” – 2:56
“Out of Order” – 4:15
“November” – 3:00
“Home” – 4:47

Humming

Released 1998

Duncan Sheik’s second album, “Humming,” followed his highly successful self-titled debut. It received positive reviews from critics and saw Sheik experimenting with his musical style. The album featured a more complex, textured sound than its predecessor but failed to achieve the same level of commercial success, although it still managed to chart on the Billboard 200.

The album featured Duncan Sheik on vocals, guitar, and keyboards. Additional musicians included Mark Plati on bass and programming, and Alex Alexander on drums. The album was produced by Duncan Sheik and Mark Endert. It was released on Atlantic Records and was recorded at Bearsville Studios in Woodstock, New York, and Right Track Recording in New York City, between 1997 and 1998.

CD Track Listings:

“In Between” – 4:33
“Rubbed Out” – 5:15
“Bite Your Tongue” – 5:00
“Alibi” – 4:33
“Varying Degrees of Con-Artistry” – 4:38
“That Says It All” – 5:10
“Everyone, Everywhere” – 3:56
“A Body Goes Down” – 5:53
“Nothing Special” – 3:15
“House Full of Riches” – 5:03
“Nichiren / Forshadowing” – 10:44

Phantom Moon

Released 2001

“Phantom Moon” was a departure from the pop-rock sound of Sheik’s debut. The album was more acoustic and focused on songwriting, featuring lyrics by playwright Steven Sater, with whom Sheik would later collaborate on the Tony-winning musical “Spring Awakening.”

The album was recorded in New York City at Shelter Island Sound Studios and Looking Glass Studios between late 1999 and early 2000. It featured Duncan Sheik on vocals and guitar, with a range of session musicians. The album was produced by Sheik himself and was released on Nonesuch Records.

CD Track Listings:

“The Wilderness (Prelude)” – 2:05
“Longing Town” – 3:58
“Mr. Chess” – 4:05
“The Winds That Blow” – 5:08
“Mouth on Fire” – 5:13
“Sad Stephen’s Song” – 5:07
“Time and Good Fortune” – 3:01
“Far Away” – 2:36
“Lament for the Dead” – 4:58
“Daylight” – 5:25
“This Is How My Heart Heard” – 5:01
“A Mirror in the Heart” – 4:44
“Lo and Behold” – 5:13
“Requiescat” – 3:26

Daylight

Released 2002

Duncan Sheik’s album, “Daylight,” marked a return to the more accessible pop-rock sound, although it retained the artistic sensibilities that had been the hallmark of his earlier works. The album charted on the Billboard 200 but didn’t attain the commercial success of his debut.

The album featured Duncan Sheik on vocals, guitar, and keyboards, with additional musicians such as guitarist Gerry Leonard. It was produced by Patrick Leonard and was released on Atlantic Records. The album was recorded at several studios including Avatar Studios in New York City, between 2001 and 2002.

CD Track Listings:

“Genius” – 3:41
“Half-Life” – 3:59
“Start Again” – 4:01
“On Her Mind” – 3:54
“Such Reveries” – 4:10
“On a High” – 3:36
“Magazines” – 3:55
“For You” – 3:59
“Good Morning!” – 4:04
“Memento” – 3:55
“Amsterdam” – 3:56

White Limousine

Released 2006

“White Limousine” was Sheik’s fourth studio album, and it garnered favorable reviews from critics, although it did not achieve commercial success. This album is notable for being released with a second disc allowing fans to remix the album’s songs.

The album featured Duncan Sheik on vocals and various instruments, and it was produced by Sheik himself along with co-producer Mark Endert. The album was recorded at Sneaky Studios in Garrison, New York between 2004 and 2005.

CD Track Listings:

“Hey Casanova” – 4:01
“The Dawn’s Request” – 3:50
“White Limousine” – 4:42
“I Wouldn’t Mind” – 4:05
“Land” – 4:20
“Hymn” – 4:28
“Nothing Fades” – 4:50
“Fantastic Toys and Corduroys” – 4:35
“Shopping” – 3:51
“Star-Field on Red Lines” – 3:41

Whisper House

Released 2009

“Whisper House” is an album by Duncan Sheik that serves as the soundtrack to the musical of the same name. The album marks Sheik’s foray into musical theatre, featuring songs filled with atmospheric soundscapes and complex lyrical themes. Despite not being a commercial smash, it was well-received critically.

The album featured Duncan Sheik on vocals and various instruments, with additional musicians including Doug Yowell on drums and percussion. The album was produced by Duncan Sheik and released on Victor Records. It was recorded at Sneaky Studios in Garrison, New York, in 2008.

CD Track Listings:

“Better to Be Dead” – 4:05
“We’re Here to Tell You” – 3:41
“And Now We Sing” – 4:50
“The Tale of Solomon Snell” – 4:07
“Earthbound Starlight” – 3:47
“Play Your Part” – 4:43
“You’ve Really Gone and Done It Now” – 3:56
“How It Feels” – 3:21
“I Don’t Believe in You” – 4:20
“Take A Bow” – 4:15

Covers 80s

Released 2011

“Covers 80s” is Duncan Sheik’s tribute to the new wave and synth-pop tracks that defined the 1980s. The album was met with favorable reviews, praising Sheik’s nuanced and mature approach to songs that were originally performed in a more effervescent style.

Duncan Sheik was responsible for vocals and several instruments, and the album was produced by Duncan Sheik and Kevin Killen. It was released under the Sneaky Records/MRI label. The album was recorded in various locations, including New York City and Los Angeles, in 2010.

CD Track Listings:

“Stripped” – 3:41
“Hold Me Now” – 4:02
“Love Vigilantes” – 3:56
“Kyoto Song” – 4:04
“What Is Love?” – 3:22
“So Alive” – 3:59
“Shout” – 4:30
“Gentlemen Take Polaroids” – 4:31
“Life’s What You Make It” – 3:56
“William, It Was Really Nothing” – 2:49

Legerdemain

Released 2015

“Legerdemain” sees Duncan Sheik returning to his roots of introspective, melodic pop-rock. Critics often hailed the album as one of Sheik’s most mature works, with more intricate musicianship and thought-provoking lyrics.

Duncan Sheik performed vocals and played several instruments. The album was produced by Duncan Sheik and released on Kobalt Label Services. It was recorded in New York City in 2014.

CD Track Listings:

“Selling Out” – 4:31
“Avalanche” – 4:29
“Photograph” – 4:21
“Birmingham” – 4:47
“Sometimes” – 5:03
“Distant Lovers” – 4:07
“Acrobat” – 3:50
“Bothered” – 4:09
“Circling” – 4:33
“No Happy End” – 3:54

Claptrap

Released August 26, 2022

Track Listings

1. Experience
2. Isn’t It So
3. There’s No Telling
4. Something Happening Here
5. Smoke and Mirrors
6. You’ll Never Be Alone
7. Maybe
8. Unaware
9. Good to Know
10. Out From Underneath
11. Chimera II
12. Scorpios

DUNCAN SHEIK LIVE ALBUMS

Live at the Cafe Carlyle

Released 2011

“Live at the Cafe Carlyle” captures Duncan Sheik in an intimate live setting at New York’s famed Café Carlyle. The album features a mix of Sheik’s own compositions and covers, giving the listener a good sense of his versatility as a musician. Notably, this album was released independently, capturing the raw essence of a live performance.

The album featured Duncan Sheik on vocals and guitar, with additional musicians who accompanied him for this special performance. The album was self-produced by Duncan Sheik. It was recorded at the Cafe Carlyle, New York City, in 2010.

CD Track Listings:

“The Wilderness (Prelude)” – 1:41
“Longing Town” – 3:47
“Mr. Chess” – 5:24
“The Tale of Solomon Snell” – 4:36
“Earthbound Starlight” – 3:54
“Time and Good Fortune” – 4:38
“Little Hands” – 3:13
“Wishful Thinking” – 3:47
“Sad Stephen’s Song” – 4:18
“Far Away” – 3:41
“Days Go By” – 3:31
“Photograph” – 3:25
“Barcelona” – 4:12
“November” – 4:21
“Court and Spark” – 3:08
“Such Reveries” – 5:13
“On a High” – 3:39
“She Runs Away” – 3:20
“I Don’t Believe in Ghosts” – 3:40
“Half-Life” – 3:58
“The Ghost in You” – 4:48

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