| Crimson/Red | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 7 October 2013 | |||
| Recorded | Autumn 2012 | |||
| Studio | Andromeda Heights Studio | |||
| Genre | Pop | |||
| Label |
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| Producer | ||||
| Prefab Sprout chronology | ||||
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Crimson/Red is the tenth studio album by English pop band Prefab Sprout, although for this album "Prefab Sprout" consists entirely of singer/songwriter Paddy McAloon, who writes, sings and plays every note on the album. Crimson/Red was released in the United Kingdom by Icebreaker Records and Kitchenware Records on 7 October 2013. [1] The album title is a reference to artist Mark Rothko. [2]
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AnyDecentMusic? | 7.5/10 [3] |
| Metacritic | 81/100 [4] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| The Guardian | |
| The Independent | |
| The Irish Times | |
| Mojo | |
| The Observer | |
| Q | |
| Record Collector | |
| The Times | |
| Uncut | 8/10 [14] |
In Mojo magazine, critic Danny Eccleston called Crimson/Red "the welcome return of Durham's song-craftsman supreme". [9] The Observer 's Phil Mongredien praised the album as "charming, articulate and urbane" (a lyric from "Devil Came a Calling"). [10] Four-star ratings appeared in both The Independent and The Times , with the former describing Crimson/Red as a "lovely album from a true one-off". [7]
David Jeffries of AllMusic said, "The music throughout is just as beautiful and bold as the lyrics", with "immaculate production and an overall classic album flow". [5]
Crimson/Red was a chart success for Prefab Sprout. The album debuted at No. 15 in the UK Albums Chart, giving the band their highest-charting record since Andromeda Heights in 1997.
Crimson/Red debuted at No. 10 in Sweden and No. 21 in Norway, giving the band their second-highest chart positions ever in both countries. In its second week on the Norwegian charts, "Crimson/Red" climbed to No. 7, an all-time high for the band in Norway.
In Ireland, the album debuted at No. 40 (and No. 9 on the indie chart). In Germany, the album debuted at No. 42, making it Prefab Sprout's highest-charting album there.
Crimson/Red also charted in the Flanders region of Belgium (No. 83) and in Switzerland (No. 92).
All songs written by Paddy McAloon.