Distance Inbetween

Last updated

Distance Inbetween
Distance Inbetween.jpg
Studio album by
Released4 March 2016 (2016-03-04)
Recorded2015
StudioParr Street, Liverpool
Genre Psychedelic rock [1]
Length44:38
Label Ignition
Producer Richard Turvey, The Coral
The Coral chronology
The Curse of Love
(2014)
Distance Inbetween
(2016)
Move Through the Dawn
(2018)
Singles from Distance Inbetween
  1. "Chasing the Tail of a Dream"
    Released: 26 December 2015
  2. "Miss Fortune"
    Released: 20 January 2016
  3. "Holy Revelation"
    Released: 2016

Distance Inbetween is the eighth studio album by the English indie rock band The Coral. It's their first album after a five-year hiatus, their first without guitarist Lee Southall and also the first with Southall's replacement, Paul Molloy. The album was released on 4 March 2016. [2] The first single, "Chasing the Tail of a Dream", was released on 26 December 2015. [3]

Contents

Background

The catalyst for the album and the band's return from hiatus was in 2014 when lead singer and main songwriter James Skelly came up with "Chasing the Tail of a Dream," intending to record it with The Intenders, the backing band for his 2013 debut solo album, Love Undercover which also included The Coral members Ian Skelly, Paul Duffy and Nick Power. When jamming together on the song didn't feel right, Skelly felt it might be more suited to The Coral. Meanwhile, while planning to finally release The Curse of Love , a long-shelved album that they had recorded in between 2005's The Invisible Invasion and 2007's Roots & Echoes , the suggestion came for the band to try making music together again. [4]

Initial songwriting sessions for the album were conducted as a four-piece due to Southall opting out in favor of working on his in-progress solo album, [5] prompting the music to become more rhythm-oriented due to James Skelly being the sole guitarist at the time. [6] After coming up with four new songs, the band brought in Molloy, former guitarist of The Zutons who had recently collaborated with Ian Skelly as Serpent Power. [5]

Recording

The band recorded the album at Liverpool's Parr Street Studios with co-producer Richard Turvey in 2015. [7] The band took a disciplined approach to recording, in which they would arrive at the studio in the morning, work until 10 pm and then go home. Most of the album was recorded live, with overdubs kept to a minimum and the first take (of usually three) often being the chosen one. In total, recording took approximately three weeks, followed a lengthier process of piecing the tracks together. [4]

Composition

Regarding the album's direction, the band wanted the sound to be minimal, direct and groove-based, with musical touchstones including Cypress Hill, Kool Keith, Portishead and Can. [8] The album was also influenced by what Power referred to as "stuff that's happened," including the death of Alan Wills, the band's mentor and founder of Deltasonic Records, in a cycling accident. The band subsequently dedicated the album in memory of Wills. [9]

Promotion

The first single from the album, "Chasing the Tail of a Dream", was released as a free download from the band's website on 26 December 2015. [10] A signed and numbered 7-inch vinyl with the new song "Unforgiven" as the B-side was additionally released. [11] The second single from the album, "Miss Fortune", was released on 20 January 2016, alongside a video produced by the band. [12]

Reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?7.7/10 [13]
Metacritic 81/100 [14]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [15]
Clash 7/10 [16]
Classic Rock Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [17]
Drowned in Sound 7/10 [18]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [19]
The Line of Best Fit 6.5/10 [20]
musicOMH Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [21]
NME Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [22]
PopMatters Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [23]
Under the Radar Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [24]

Distance Inbetween was met with generally favourable reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 81, based on 18 reviews. [14] AnyDecentMusic? gave it a score of 7.7, also based on 18 reviews. [13]

Accolades

PublicationAccoladeYearRank
Rough Trade Albums of the Year2016
92 [25]

Track listing

All tracks written by James Skelly, except where noted.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Connector"J. Skelly, Nick Power4:13
2."White Bird"J. Skelly, Ian Skelly, Power3:30
3."Chasing the Tail of a Dream" 3:44
4."Distance Inbetween" 4:19
5."Million Eyes" 5:35
6."Miss Fortune"J. Skelly, Power3:32
7."Beyond the Sun" 4:00
8."It's You"J. Skelly, Power3:28
9."Holy Revelation"J. Skelly, Power3:10
10."She Runs the River" 3:16
11."Fear Machine" 4:00
12."End Credits"Power1:51
Total length:44:38 [2]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Distance Inbetween liner notes. [26]

The Coral

Additional musicians

Production

Charts

Chart (2016)Peak
position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [27] 142
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [28] 69
Irish Albums (IRMA) [29] 82
UK Albums (OCC) [30] 13

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Coral</span> English rock band

The Coral are an English rock band, formed in 1996 in Hoylake on the Wirral Peninsula, Merseyside. The band emerged during the early 2000s. Their 2002 debut album The Coral, from which came the single "Dreaming of You", was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize and listed as the fourth best album of the year by NME. Their second album, Magic and Medicine (2003), produced four UK Top 20 singles, including "Pass It On". In 2008, after guitarist Bill Ryder-Jones left the band, they continued as a five-piece.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Zutons</span> English indie rock band

The Zutons are an English indie rock band, formed in 2002 in Liverpool. The band are currently composed of singer, songwriter, and guitarist Dave McCabe, drummer Sean Payne, and saxophonist Abi Harding.

<i>The Coral</i> (album) 2002 studio album by the Coral

The Coral is the debut studio album by British rock band the Coral. It was released on 29 July 2002, through the Deltasonic record label. After finalising their line-up, the band had a residency at The Cavern Club, and were spotted and signed by Alan Willis of Deltasonic soon afterwards. Following the release of a single and an EP, and two UK tours, the band began recording their debut album. Sessions were held at Linford Manor Studios, Milton Keynes in early 2002, and were produced by the Lightning Seeds frontman Ian Broudie and the Coral. Described as a neo-psychedelia and folk rock album, frontman James Skelly's voice was compared to Eric Burdon of the Animals and Jim Morrison of the Doors.

<i>Magic and Medicine</i> 2003 studio album by the Coral

Magic and Medicine is the second studio album by English rock band the Coral. It was released on 28 July 2003, through Deltasonic. Within three months of releasing their self-titled debut studio album, the band began recording material for their next album in October 2002. Sessions were produced by the Lightning Seeds frontman Ian Broudie, with co-production from the Coral; recording continued in-between tours of the United States and Europe, finishing in April 2003. Described as a pop rock and psychedelic pop release, Magic and Medicine was compared to the work of the Animals, with frontman James Skelly's vocals recalling that band's frontman Eric Burdon.

<i>Nightfreak and the Sons of Becker</i> 2004 studio album by the Coral

Nightfreak and the Sons of Becker is a mini album and third studio album by English rock band the Coral, released on 26 January 2004 by Deltasonic. The Coral began writing the record less than a month after releasing their second studio album, Magic and Medicine (2003). Recording for the album took place over 12 days at Bryn Derwen Studios in Wales with producer Ian Broudie, frontman for the Lightning Seeds; the Coral served as co-producers. Described as a lo-fi neo-psychedelia release, Nightfreak is a concept album about German tennis player Boris Becker.

<i>The Invisible Invasion</i> 2005 studio album by the Coral

The Invisible Invasion is the fourth studio album by English rock band the Coral. It was released on 23 May 2005, through Deltasonic. Following on from the stop-gap release of the mini album Nightfreak and the Sons of Becker (2004), the band began recording their next album with Geoff Barrow and Adrian Utley of Portishead as producers. Sessions were mainly held at Monnow Valley Studio, with additional recording being done at Elevator Studios. Described as a psychedelia album, it had more of a stripped-down sound compared to their past releases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Skelly</span> English musician (born 1980)

James Alexander Skelly is an English musician who is the frontman of The Coral. He embarked on a solo career when the band went on indefinite hiatus in 2012. The band regrouped in 2015. Skelly is the cousin of fellow musician Miles Kane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bill Ryder-Jones</span> Musical artist

William Edward Ryder-Jones is an English singer-songwriter, musician, music producer and composer from West Kirby, Merseyside. He co-founded the band The Coral, together with James Skelly, Lee Southall, Paul Duffy, and Ian Skelly, playing as their lead guitarist from 1996 until 2008. He has since pursued a solo career, writing both his own albums and film scores, as well as producing records for other artists and appearing as a session musician.

<i>Roots & Echoes</i> 2007 studio album by the Coral

Roots & Echoes is the fifth studio album by English rock band the Coral. It was released on 6 August 2007, through Deltasonic. During the promotional cycle for their third studio album The Invisible Invasion (2005), guitarist Bill Ryder-Jones left and subsequently re-joined the band. Recording for their next album occurred between August 2006 and February 2007 at three different studios, Wheeler End, Konk, and RAK. Craig Silvey and the band co-produced the majority of the material, aside from two songs that were produced by Ian Broudie. Described as a psychedelic rock and pop album, Roots & Echoes took influences from doo wop and R&B.

This is the discography of The Coral, an English indie rock, psychedelic folk and indie pop band. The Coral have released twelve studio albums, one compilation album, eighteen singles and four extended plays.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dreaming of You (The Coral song)</span> 2002 single by the Coral

"Dreaming of You" is a song by English band the Coral from their eponymous debut album, The Coral. Released on 7 October 2002, it was the third single taken from the album and charted at number 13 on the UK Singles Chart. In October 2011, NME placed it at number 85 on its list "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miles Kane</span> English musician

Miles Peter Kane is an English singer and musician, best known as a solo artist and the co-frontman of the Last Shadow Puppets. He was also the former frontman of the Rascals, before the band announced their break-up in August 2009.

<i>Singles Collection</i> (The Coral album) 2008 compilation album by The Coral

Singles Collection is a compilation album by The Coral, released on 15 September 2008 in the United Kingdom on the Deltasonic label. It featured a new song "Being Somebody Else", which was released as a single on 8 September 2008.

<i>Butterfly House</i> (album) 2010 studio album by The Coral

Butterfly House is the sixth full-length studio album by English indie rock band The Coral. The album was produced by John Leckie, whose previous collaborators include The Stone Roses and Radiohead. and was recorded at RAK studios in London as well as Rockfield in South Wales. It was released on 12 July 2010 to great critical acclaim. The album was recorded through a two-year span where the band road-tested the material. This is The Coral's first album without Bill Ryder-Jones, who departed in 2008. It peaked at #16 in the UK Album Charts but has since been a consistent seller for Deltasonic Records. The single, "1000 Years", reached #188 on the UK Singles Chart.

<i>Love Undercover</i> (album) 2013 studio album by James Skelly & The Intenders

Love Undercover is the debut studio album by English rock group James Skelly & The Intenders. It was released on 3 June 2013, on Skeleton Key Records and Cooking Vinyl and reached No. 85 on the UK Albums Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blossoms (band)</span> English indie pop group

Blossoms are an English indie rock band from Stockport, Greater Manchester, England. Formed in 2013, the band consists of Tom Ogden, Charlie Salt, Josh Dewhurst, Joe Donovan (drums) and Myles Kellock.

<i>The Curse of Love</i> 2014 studio album by the Coral

The Curse of Love is the seventh studio album by English rock band the Coral. The album features 12 previously unreleased tracks that were recorded on an 8-track recorder between their albums The Invisible Invasion (2005) and Roots & Echoes (2007). The album was released on 20 October 2014.

<i>Blossoms</i> (album) 2016 studio album by Blossoms

Blossoms is the debut studio album by English rock band Blossoms. It was released in the United Kingdom on 5 August 2016, by Virgin EMI Records. The album was produced by James Skelly and Rich Turvey. It peaked at number 1 on the UK Albums Chart and number 12 on the Irish Albums Chart, reaching Silver certification in the UK in April 2017. Then in June 2017 it went Gold in the UK after surpassing 100,000 sales.

<i>Move Through the Dawn</i> 2018 studio album by the Coral

Move Through the Dawn is the ninth studio album by English rock band the Coral. It was released on 10 August 2018, under Ignition Records.

<i>Coral Island</i> (album) 2021 studio album by The Coral

Coral Island is the tenth studio album by English rock band the Coral. Run On Records and Modern Sky UK released it on 30 April 2021. During the cycle for their ninth studio album Move Through the Dawn (2018), the band began stockpiling song ideas; on the way home from Blackpool, the band had the idea of making a concept album about a fictional town. With the assistance of Edwin Burdis, the band began mapping out the album. The recording sessions were held at Parr Street Studios in Liverpool, with the narration recorded at Ian Murrary's house in Merseyside; the band and Chris Taylor acted as producers. Described as a psychedelic album, it drew comparison to the Kinks' Village Green Preservation Society (1968), while the narration was reminiscent of that heard on the Small Faces' Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake (1968).

References

  1. Gunn, Charlotte (3 March 2016). "The Coral – 'Distance Inbetween' Review". NME . Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  2. 1 2 Renshaw, David (23 November 2015). "The Coral to return after five year break - new album and UK tour plans confirmed". NME . Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  3. "Watch the Coral's video for Chasing the Tail of a Dream". The Guardian . 26 December 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  4. 1 2 "The Tail of a Dream: The Coral Interviewed | Features | Clash Magazine". Archived from the original on 4 February 2017. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  5. 1 2 "Interview: The Coral - 'the new album sounds like we've gone through Event Horizon'". Getintothis.co.uk. 27 November 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  6. "Interview: The Coral's James Skelly - Songwriting Magazine". Songwritingmagazine.co.uk. 29 February 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  7. Guy, Peter (23 November 2015). "The Coral return with new album and headline Liverpool Sound City". Liverpool Echo . Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  8. "Interview: The Coral - M Magazine". M-magazinec.ouk. 28 June 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  9. Simpson, Dave (3 March 2016). "The Coral return: 'Success was like a runaway train – chaotic with no control'". The Guardian . Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  10. Christie, Niall (29 December 2015). "The Coral Release First Track From Hotly Anticipated New Album". Never Enough Notes. Archived from the original on 27 January 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  11. Hendicott, James (26 December 2015). "The Coral launch 'Chasing the Tail of a Dream' video - watch". NME . Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  12. Trefor, Cai (20 January 2016). "The Coral release video to first single in six years". Gigwise . Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  13. 1 2 "Distance Inbetween by The Coral reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  14. 1 2 "Distance Inbetween by The Coral". Metacritic . Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  15. Sendra, Tim. "Distance Inbetween - The Coral". AllMusic . All Media Network . Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  16. James, Gareth (7 March 2016). "The Coral - Distance Inbetween". Clash . Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  17. Beaumont, Mark (15 April 2016). "The Coral: Distance Inbetween". Classic Rock . Future plc . Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  18. Trefor, Cai (2 March 2016). "Album Review: The Coral - Distance Inbetween". Drowned in Sound . Archived from the original on 27 October 2019. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  19. Hann, Michael (3 March 2016). "The Coral: Distance Inbetween review – indie veterans make a purposeful return". The Guardian . Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  20. Nash, Ed (29 February 2016). "Distance Inbetween by The Coral". The Line of Best Fit . Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  21. Hogwood, Ben (7 March 2016). "The Coral - Distance Inbetween". musicOMH . Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  22. Gunn, Charlotte (3 March 2016). "The Coral - 'Distance Inbetween' Review". NME . Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  23. Folland, Richard (6 March 2016). "The Coral: Distance Inbetween". PopMatters . Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  24. Lucas, Dan (11 April 2016). "The Coral: The Distance Inbetween (Ignition) Review". Under the Radar . Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  25. "Albums of the Year". Rough Trade . 14 November 2016. Archived from the original on 16 November 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  26. "The Coral - Distance Inbetween". Discogs . Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  27. "Ultratop.be – The Coral – Distance Inbetween" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
  28. "Ultratop.be – The Coral – Distance Inbetween" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  29. "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week 10, 2016". Chart-Track. IRMA. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  30. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 March 2016.