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It's Harder Now
R&B / Soul · 1999 · 11 tracks

It's Harder Now

Wilson Pickett

Weathered vocal grit meets razor-sharp brass in this high-voltage comeback. Polished yet punchy soul that proves the Wicked Pickett never lost his signature fire.

September 14, 1999 · P-Vine Non Stop

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It's Harder Now sounds like a master craftsman returning to his workshop after years away, only to find his tools are sharper than ever. Wilson Pickett's voice, now seasoned with a fine-grained gravel, retains the explosive power that earned him his 'Wicked' moniker in the 1960s. The production is undeniably late-90s - clean, punchy, and hi-fi - but it avoids the sterile pitfalls of the era by anchoring itself in live instrumentation and a relentless rhythmic pocket. It is the sound of Southern Soul updated for a modern fidelity without sacrificing its sweat-soaked origins.

Tracklist · 11 Tracks
01
Outskirts of Town
3:24
02
Taxi Love
3:54
03
What's Under That Dress?
3:27
04
Stomp
6:20
05
Soul Survivor
4:41
06
It's Harder Now
3:46
07
It Ain't Easy
3:09
08
Bad People
2:39
09
All About Sex
3:30
10
Better Him Than Me
3:41
11
Stone Crazy World
4:15
Moments Worth Listening For
The explosive vocal ad-libs on the title track where Pickett's signature scream pierces through the polished 90s production.
The tight, syncopated horn blast that kicks off Outskirts of Town, signaling a return to his classic R&B roots.
The way the tempo slows for Soul Survivor, allowing the gravel in his voice to carry the weight of the lyrics.
Reviews
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AllMusic
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Where This Album DepartsEach spoke is a trait. The orange shape shows where this album pulls away from — or holds to — the rest of the artist’s catalogue. Tap for more.

How does It's Harder Now sound next to the rest of Wilson Pickett's catalogue?

Hand Played+2.8σ

The production is built around hand played than this artist usually allows.

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