| 12 Haunted Episodes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1995 | |||
| Label | Razor & Tie | |||
| Producer | Graham Parker | |||
| Graham Parker chronology | ||||
| ||||
12 Haunted Episodes is an album by the English musician Graham Parker, released in 1995 on Razor & Tie. [1] [2] Parker supported the album by touring with his backing band, the Episodes. [3] It was Parker's first studio album for an independent label. [4] 12 Haunted Episodes is primarily an acoustic album. [5]
Recorded in Saugerties, New York, the album was produced by Parker. [6] [7] He chose to write the songs in an open G tuning, after being annoyed when someone advised creating an album similar in style to the rock and roll of Squeezing Out Sparks . [1] Parker thought that he was able to sing more "naturally" with the new tuning. [8] He spent five hours recording the demo, then decided a few days later to add overdubs to it with other musicians. [9] [10] [11]
Many songs are about the work of maintaining romantic love. [12] "Disney's America" is about the proposed theme park. [13] "Haunted Episodes" added a flute to the instrumentation. [14] "Force of Nature" quotes Bob Dylan's "She Belongs to Me". [15]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Daily Breeze |   [14] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music |  [16] |
| The Indianapolis Star | [17] |
| MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide | [18] |
| Orlando Sentinel | [19] |
| Rolling Stone | [20] |
| Spin Alternative Record Guide | 6/10 [21] |
| Martin C. Strong | 5/10 [22] |
| USA Today | [7] |
The Orlando Sentinel wrote that "Parker's famous acerbic wit is either missing or misplaced, and he seems to be low on hooks at the moment." [19] The Philadelphia Inquirer determined that "the acoustic-flavored tunes tend toward folk-rock, and the usually pugnacious Brit focuses on his tender and introspective side." [23] Rolling Stone stated: "Autumnal in mood, gracious and honest, this is music of a clean, unsentimental maturity." [20]
The Washington Post opined that "it's doubtful any other album this year will bring as much insight and passion to the subject of adult romance." [13] The Indianapolis Star concluded that Parker "abandons vitriolic irony for the more mature, and less memorable, perspective of a contented grownup." [17] The Guardian noted the "comfy tastefulness" and labeled the album "one for designer bedsits." [24]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Partner for Life" | |
| 2. | "Pollinate" | |
| 3. | "Force of Nature" | |
| 4. | "Disney's America" | |
| 5. | "Haunted Episodes" | |
| 6. | "Next Phase" | |
| 7. | "Honest Work" | |
| 8. | "Cruel Stage" | |
| 9. | "See Yourself" | |
| 10. | "Loverman" | |
| 11. | "Fly" | |
| 12. | "First Day of Spring" |
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