| Book of Days | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 31 October 1989 | |||
| Recorded | Rak, London, May–July 1989 | |||
| Genre | Alternative rock | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Producer | David M. Allen, Psychedelic Furs | |||
| The Psychedelic Furs chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Book of Days | ||||
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Book of Days is the sixth studio album by the English rock band the Psychedelic Furs, released in 1989 by Columbia Records. [1] It reached No. 74 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 138 on the US Billboard 200. [2] [3]
Two singles were released from the album, "Should God Forget" and "House", which peaked at No. 8 and No. 1, respectively, on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. [4] "House" also reached No. 90 in the UK Singles Chart.
The album was coproduced by David M. Allen. [5] It marked the return of original bandmember Vince Ely. [6]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| Christgau's Record Guide | C+ [8] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | |
| The Great Rock Discography | 4/10 [10] |
| Melody Maker | favourable [11] |
| MusicHound Rock | |
| NME | 7/10 [13] |
| Record Mirror | 4.5/5 [14] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | |
| Spin Alternative Record Guide | 5/10 [16] |
The St. Petersburg Times noted that "the Furs often sound downright metallic, kicking out churning, noisome arrangements and hard-rock riffs." [17] The Boston Globe deemed the album "dense, murky, agitated, hauntingly pretty and lush in places, generally caustic." [5] The Toronto Star determined that the album "merits the attention of longtime fans, if only for the raw, anxious intensity that has sprung anew in Richard Butler's doom-laden voice." [18]
The Spin Alternative Record Guide panned David M. Allen's "muddy mix," writing that "Butler's voice has never come across so biteless and small." [16]
All lyrics written by Richard Butler; all music composed by the Psychedelic Furs.
| Chart (1989/90) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA Charts) [19] | 114 |
| UK Albums Chart [2] | 74 |
| U.S. Billboard 200 [3] | 138 |