Bandwagonesque

Last updated

Bandwagonesque
BandwagonesqueCoverArt.png
Studio album by
Teenage Fanclub
Released4 November 1991 (UK)
19 November 1991 (US)
Recorded9 April–12 May 1991
StudioAmazon Studios, Liverpool
Genre
Length42:56
Label Creation · DGC
Producer
Teenage Fanclub chronology
The King
(1991)		Bandwagonesque
(1991)		 Thirteen
(1993)
Singles from Bandwagonesque
  1. "Star Sign"
    Released: 12 August 1991
  2. "The Concept"
    Released: 21 October 1991
  3. "What You Do to Me"
    Released: 27 January 1992

Bandwagonesque is the third album by Scottish alternative rock band Teenage Fanclub, released in November 1991 on Creation Records. The album gave the band substantial US success when the single "Star Sign" reached number four on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, becoming their biggest hit in that country, with "What You Do to Me" and "The Concept" also becoming top 20 hits on that chart. Bandwagonesque was voted "album of the year" for 1991 by American music magazine Spin , beating R.E.M.'s Out of Time and Nirvana's Nevermind ; the magazine has subsequently apologized for and defended the selection. [3] [5] [6] The album peaked at no. 22 in the UK and 137 in the US.

Contents

Background and recording

Teenage Fanclub released their debut album, A Catholic Education , in 1990 on small independent label Paperhouse, and followed it up with the God Knows It's True EP before signing with Creation Records.

Following an encounter with Don Fleming at CBGB in New York City in March 1991, Teenage Fanclub started recording at Amazon Studios in Liverpool, with Fleming as producer. [7] Fleming encouraged the band to work on adding vocal harmonies, noting that not many of their contemporaries were doing so. [8]

The album's release was preceded by that of The King , an album of covers and outtakes recorded using leftover studio time from the Bandwagonesque sessions. [9]

Cover art

The cover was designed by Sharon Fitzgerald. When Kiss member Gene Simmons, who had trademarked the logo of a moneybag with dollar symbol, was made aware of the record he sent a letter to Geffen Records, who in turn gave in and sent Simmons a cheque, according to Simmons's book Sex Money Kiss. [10]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [11]
Chicago Tribune Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [12]
Entertainment Weekly B [13]
Mojo Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [14]
NME 9/10 [15]
Pitchfork 8.7/10 [16]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [17]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [18]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [19]
Uncut 10/10 [20]

The liner notes to the 2009 Big Star box set Keep an Eye on the Sky said that Bandwagonesque was "... an album so in thrall to Chilton, Bell, and company that some critics had taken to calling it 'Big Star's 4th .'" [21]

Legacy

In 2000, Bandwagonesque was voted number 386 in Colin Larkin's All Time Top 1000 Albums . [22] In 2013, NME ranked Bandwagonesque at number 115 on its list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. [23]

Bandwagonesque was performed live in its entirety in 2006 as part of the All Tomorrow's Parties-curated Don't Look Back series. [24]

"The Concept" was also featured prominently in the 2011 film Young Adult . [25] "What You Do To Me" was featured in the 2013 film The World's End and on its soundtrack album. [26]

On July 28, 2017, Benjamin Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie released Bandwagonesque, an album covering the original 1991 release. He noted that it was "[his] favorite record by [his] favorite band of all time." [27]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Concept" Norman Blake 6:07
2."Satan"Blake, Gerard Love, Raymond McGinley, Brendan O'Hare 1:22
3."December"Love3:03
4."What You Do to Me"Blake2:00
5."I Don't Know"McGinley4:36
6."Star Sign"Love4:53
7."Metal Baby"Blake3:39
8."Pet Rock"Love2:35
9."Sidewinder"Love, O'Hare3:03
10."Alcoholiday"Blake5:26
11."Guiding Star"Love2:48
12."Is This Music?"Love3:18

Personnel

Teenage Fanclub
Additional musicians
Technical

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Postal Service</span> American indie pop band

The Postal Service was an American indie pop group from Seattle, Washington, consisting of singer Ben Gibbard, producer Jimmy Tamborello, and Jenny Lewis on background vocals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Death Cab for Cutie</span> American rock band

Death Cab for Cutie is an American rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington, in 1997. Death Cab for Cutie's music has been classified as indie rock, indie pop, and alternative rock. The band is currently composed of Ben Gibbard, Nick Harmer (bass), Dave Depper, Zac Rae, and Jason McGerr (drums).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Gibbard</span> American musician (born 1976)

Benjamin Gibbard is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the indie rock band Death Cab for Cutie, with whom he has recorded ten studio albums, and as a member of the supergroup The Postal Service. Gibbard released his debut solo album, Former Lives, in 2012, and a collaborative studio album, One Fast Move or I'm Gone (2009) with Jay Farrar.

<i>Transatlanticism</i> 2003 studio album by Death Cab for Cutie

Transatlanticism is the fourth studio album by rock band Death Cab for Cutie, released on October 7, 2003, by Barsuk Records. At this point in their career, the group had toured and recorded for nearly a half-decade. With tensions rising, the band decided to take time away from one another; notably, Ben Gibbard collaborated with electronic musician Dntel, and released an album, Give Up, under the name the Postal Service. Death Cab regrouped in late 2002 to create Transatlanticism, which was recorded in a leisurely manner over five-day stretches until June 2003.

<i>We Have the Facts and Were Voting Yes</i> 2000 studio album by Death Cab for Cutie

We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes is the second studio album by American rock band Death Cab for Cutie. It was released on March 21, 2000, through Barsuk Records. The band, which originally included singer-songwriter Ben Gibbard, guitarist/producer Chris Walla, bassist Nick Harmer, and drummer Nathan Good, formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1997. Their debut studio album, Something About Airplanes, was released in 1998 through Barsuk, after which Good exited the band. Between the two albums, both Gibbard and Walla released music via side projects, ¡All-Time Quarterback! and Martin Youth Auxiliary, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teenage Fanclub</span> Scottish alternative rock band

Teenage Fanclub are a Scottish alternative rock band formed in Glasgow in 1989. The group were founded by Norman Blake, Raymond McGinley and Gerard Love, all of whom shared lead vocals and songwriting duties until Love's departure in 2018. As of 2023, the band's lineup consists of Blake, McGinley, Francis Macdonald, Dave McGowan and Euros Childs.

<i>The Photo Album</i> 2001 studio album by Death Cab for Cutie

The Photo Album is the third studio album by indie rock band Death Cab for Cutie, released October 9, 2001 on Barsuk Records.

Brendan O'Hare is a Scottish multi-instrumentalist musician, primarily known for being the drummer in the rock band Teenage Fanclub from 1989 until early 1994, and a member of and collaborator with Mogwai.

<i>The King</i> (Teenage Fanclub album) 1991 studio album by Teenage Fanclub

The King is the second album by Scottish alternative rock band Teenage Fanclub, deleted on its day of release in 1991.

<i>Thirteen</i> (Teenage Fanclub album) 1993 studio album by Teenage Fanclub

Thirteen is the fourth album by Scottish alternative rock band Teenage Fanclub, released in 1993 on Creation Records in the UK and Geffen in the US. It was commonly believed at the time that it was named after the song "Thirteen" by Big Star, a band that has heavily influenced Teenage Fanclub. The self-produced album was poorly received by critics on its release. It peaked at number 14 on the UK Albums Chart.

<i>Grand Prix</i> (album) 1995 studio album by Teenage Fanclub

Grand Prix is the fifth album by Scottish alternative rock band Teenage Fanclub, released in May 1995 via Creation Records.

<i>Songs from Northern Britain</i> 1997 studio album by Teenage Fanclub

Songs from Northern Britain is the sixth studio album by Scottish alternative rock band Teenage Fanclub. Produced by David Bianco and the group themselves, the album was released on 29 July 1997 through Creation Records. Teenage Fanclub's previous album, Grand Prix, had been seen as a comeback in their home of the UK, though its success elsewhere was limited. With more time and resources, the band recorded Songs from Northern Britain—a tongue-in-cheek title referring to their native Scotland—with producer David Bianco in Surrey. The record's lyrical themes focus heavily on love and domestic life. The album was completed at London's AIR Studios, and its accompanying artwork was taken by photographer Donald Milne around the Scottish Highlands.

<i>Howdy!</i> (Teenage Fanclub album) 2000 studio album by Teenage Fanclub

Howdy! is the seventh album by Scottish rock band Teenage Fanclub, released on 23 October 2000 through Columbia Records. With the addition of keyboardist Finlay MacDonald, the band wrote new material, eventually debuting some of it live in early 1999. Following this, they recorded their next album at Rockfield Studios in Wales, as well as Astoria in London, between August 1999 and March 2000. Shortly afterwards, drummer Paul Quinn left the band and was replaced by Francis MacDonald. Howdy! is an Americana and power pop album, recalling the work of the Hollies.

<i>Special Kiss</i> 1991 studio album by Gumball

Special Kiss is the first album by Gumball. It was released in 1991 on the Primo Scree label. It contains contributions from Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth and Teenage Fanclub.

<i>God Knows Its True</i> 1990 EP by Teenage Fanclub

God Knows It's True is an EP by Scottish rock band Teenage Fanclub, released in 1990 in the UK by Paperhouse Records and in 1991 in the USA by Matador Records. It was co-produced by Don Fleming, who had been introduced to the band earlier in 1990 by word of mouth, and who would also work on the band's next two albums, The King and Bandwagonesque.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sparky's Dream</span> 1995 single by Teenage Fanclub

"Sparky's Dream" is a song recorded by Scottish rock band Teenage Fanclub. The song was released on 22 May 1995 through Creation Records, as the lead single from the band's fifth studio album Grand Prix. The song was sung by its author and bassist Gerard Love rather than the usual lead singer Norman Blake.

<i>Thank You for Today</i> 2018 studio album by Death Cab for Cutie

Thank You for Today is the ninth studio album by American indie rock band Death Cab for Cutie. The album was released on August 17, 2018, on Atlantic Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Concept (song)</span> 1991 single by Teenage Fanclub

"The Concept" is a song recorded by Scottish rock band Teenage Fanclub. The song was released on 21 October 1991 through Creation Records, as the second single from the band's third studio album Bandwagonesque. The song was written and sung by vocalist and guitarist Norman Blake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Don't Want Control of You</span> 1997 single by Teenage Fanclub

"I Don't Want Control of You" is a song recorded by Scottish rock band Teenage Fanclub. The song was released on 18 August 1997 through Creation Records, as the second single from the band's sixth studio album Songs from Northern Britain. The song was written and sung by vocalist and guitarist Norman Blake.

<i>Asphalt Meadows</i> 2022 studio album by Death Cab for Cutie

Asphalt Meadows is the tenth studio album by American rock band Death Cab for Cutie. It was released on September 16, 2022, through Atlantic Records.

References

  1. ↑ Salmon, Ben (10 August 2018). "The 20 Best Teenage Fanclub Songs". Paste . Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  2. ↑ Collar, Matt. "Teenage Fanclub Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic . Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  3. 1 2 Unterberger, Andrew (7 April 2015). "SPIN 30: Teenage Fanclub Talk Unlikely Breakout Album, 'Bandwagonesque'". Spin . Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  4. ↑ Prato, Greg; et al. (30 September 2021). "The 30 greatest rock guitar albums of 1991". Guitar World . Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  5. ↑ Cohen, Jason (July 1995). "Spins". Spin. Vol. 11, no. 4. p. 76.
  6. ↑ "The 100 Moments That Rock Our World". Spin. Vol. 26, no. 3. May 2010. p. 58.
  7. ↑ Walker, Gary (28 April 2021). "The Genius Of… Bandwagonesque by Teenage Fanclub". Guitar.com . Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  8. ↑ Jonze, Tim (12 August 2019). "Teenage Fanclub: how we made Bandwagonesque". The Guardian . Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  9. ↑ Pinnock, Tom (14 August 2018). "Teenage Fanclub on their finest albums: 'If writing songs wasn't difficult, everyone would be doing it!'". Uncut . Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  10. ↑ Ronnie. "SEX MONEY KISS - book review". Ear Candy Mag.
  11. ↑ Ankeny, Jason. "Bandwagonesque – Teenage Fanclub". AllMusic . Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  12. ↑ Kot, Greg (5 December 1991). "Teenage Fanclub: Bandwagonesque (DGC)". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  13. ↑ Browne, David (10 January 1992). "Bandwagonesque". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  14. ↑ Eccleston, Danny (September 2018). "Whatever you want". Mojo . No. 298. p. 100.
  15. ↑ Brown, James (2 November 1991). "O Stupor-Men!". NME . p. 32. Archived from the original on 8 May 1999. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  16. ↑ Sodomsky, Sam (11 August 2018). "Teenage Fanclub: Bandwagonesque / Thirteen / Grand Prix / Songs from Northern Britain / Howdy!". Pitchfork . Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  17. ↑ Davies, Paul (December 1991). "Untrammelled". Q . No. 63.
  18. ↑ Berger, Arion (6 February 1992). "Teenage Fanclub: Bandwagonesque". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on 2 March 2008. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  19. ↑ Sisario, Ben (2004). "Teenage Fanclub". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. p.  805. ISBN   0-7432-0169-8.
  20. ↑ Deusner, Stephen (September 2018). "Teenage Fanclub: Bandwagonesque / Thirteen / Grand Prix / Songs from Northern Britain / Howdy!". Uncut . No. 256. p. 51.
  21. ↑ Mehr, Bob (2009). "The Great Crusade: Birthing the Cult of Big Star". Keep an Eye on the Sky (liner notes). Big Star. Rhino Entertainment. R2 519760. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  22. ↑ Larkin, Colin, ed. (2000). All Time Top 1000 Albums (3rd ed.). Virgin Books. p. 147. ISBN   0-7535-0493-6.
  23. ↑ Barker, Emily (25 October 2013). "The 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time: 200–101". NME . Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  24. ↑ Concert information on Don't Look Back website
  25. ↑ Monger, James Christopher. "Young Adult [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] - Original Soundtrack | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  26. ↑ Tovar, Daniel (9 July 2013). "'The World's End' soundtrack features Pulp, Blur, Stone Roses & more". Pretty Much Amazing. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  27. ↑ Kim, Michelle (13 July 2017). "Death Cab for Cutie's Ben Gibbard Covers Teenage Fanclub's "The Concept": Listen". Pitchfork . Retrieved 28 July 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.