| Dream 6 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| EP by | |
| Released | 1983 |
| Length | 22:53 |
| Label | Happy Hermit Co. |
| Producer |
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Dream 6 is an extended play by American rock band Dream 6 (who later achieved fame as Concrete Blonde), released by Happy Hermit Co. in 1983.
| Dream 6 | |
|---|---|
| | |
| EP by | |
| Released | 1983 |
| Length | 22:53 |
| Label | Happy Hermit Co. |
| Producer |
|
Dream 6 is an extended play by American rock band Dream 6 (who later achieved fame as Concrete Blonde), released by Happy Hermit Co. in 1983.
Dream 6 was recorded at the independent recording studio Gold Star Studios in Los Angeles in 1983. [1] Singer and bassist Johnette Napolitano and guitarist James Mankey first formed a band together named the Dreamers in 1982, who became known as the L.A. Dreamers shortly after. In 1983, Napolitano and Mankey booked themselves into Gold Star Studios and invited drummer Michael Murphy to record with them. The resulting EP and trio were named Dream 6 as there were six songs chosen for the EP. In 2003, Napolitano recalled of the sessions, "We slammed out the songs, but didn't have enough time to mix them all... but used the rough mixes anyway." [2]
Dream 6 gained a positive critical response and brought the band to the attention of a number of major labels, including Elektra. Napolitano and Mankey, along with drummer Harry Rushakoff, would sign with I.R.S. in 1986 and rename themselves Concrete Blonde. [3] The EP's opening track "Rain" was re-recorded in 1993 for the band's fourth studio album Mexican Moon . [4]
Dream 6 was independently released in the US by Happy Hermit Co. in 1983. [5] Approximately 900 copies of the EP were pressed, of which only a few hundred included inserts due to printing costs. [2] In 1985, the EP received a release in France on the Madrigal label. [6]
In 1993, the EP received its first reissue on CD by Capitol when it was given away with promotional only copies of Concrete Blonde's fourth studio album Mexican Moon. [7] In 2003, Happy Hermit Co. reissued the EP on CD with one bonus track, a cover of The Animals' "It's My Life" recorded during the same sessions, and new sleeve notes by Napolitano. [2]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [4] |
Upon its release, Billboard described Dream 6 as "quite a pleasant surprise with this young three-person band coming up with bright and fresh pop songs, using only a guitar, bass and drum lineup". They added, "The songs are original, with substance, and Johnette, the lead singer, more than does them justice." [8] Fred Goodman of Cash Box praised it as "no-frills power rock by a self-assured trio". He noted that Napolitano "packs a tough punch" and "sound[s] like a streetwise Carole Pope". He praised the closing track "Daddy Lied" as one which "will garner AOR play if anybody takes the time to listen to it". [9]
Punk zine Flipside considered Dream 6 to be "more like the Wharf Rat stuff, 60's psychedelia, this with a female singer" and added, "If you like that style, mind you these are all a little different, pick this up." [10] Robert Lloyd of L.A. Weekly described Dream 6 as a "post-post-punk-pop power trio", with Napolitano a "hipper Pat Benatar with a touch of Chrissie Hynde". He added that Napolitano "shares a keen sense of high drama" with Benatar and noted the EP's "fat sound courtesy of Earle Mankey". [11]
In the 1991 book The Trouser Press Record Guide , Ira A. Robbins felt Dream 6 to be "an intriguing, unassuming item" and commented, "Using the same organizational chart as the Police, Dream 6 draws on various styles, offering little personality besides the vocals, which are plain but pleasant." [12] Tom Demalon of AllMusic was retrospectively critical of the EP, feeling there was "nothing very remarkable about it" and adding that it was a "curiosity for the more fervent fans of Concrete Blonde". He stated, "The songs are straight-ahead, punk-tinged rock, although on songs like 'Daddy Lied' Napolitano displays the vocal power that would endear her to fans later." [4]
All tracks are written by James Mankey and Johnette Napolitano, except "Tomorrow May Never Come" by Mankey, Michael Murphy and Napolitano.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Rain" | 3:19 |
| 2. | "Human Condition" | 3:33 |
| 3. | "Tomorrow May Never Come" | 5:48 |
| 4. | "Slowdown" | 3:17 |
| 5. | "Secret Life" | 2:37 |
| 6. | "Daddy Lied" | 4:19 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7. | "It's My Life" ( The Animals cover) | Roger Atkins, Carl D'Errico | 3:06 |
Credits are adapted from the original 1983 vinyl EP sleeve notes. [5]
Dream 6
Production
Concrete Blonde was an American alternative rock band from Hollywood, California. They were initially active from 1982 to 1995, and reunited twice: first from 2001 to 2004, and again from 2010 to 2012. They were best known for their album Bloodletting (1990), its top 20 single "Joey", and Johnette Napolitano's distinctive vocal style.
Johnette Napolitano is an American singer, songwriter and bassist best known as the lead vocalist, songwriter, and bassist for the alternative rock group Concrete Blonde.
Holly Beth Vincent is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer.
Free is the second album by alternative rock band Concrete Blonde. It marked the addition of bass player Alan Bloch.
Bloodletting is the third studio album by American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde. Released on May 15, 1990, the album marks a shift for the band toward gothic rock. It features guest appearances by R.E.M.'s Peter Buck and Wall of Voodoo's Andy Prieboy.
Walking in London is the fourth studio album from alternative rock band Concrete Blonde. It features the song "...Long Time Ago" which played over the ending credits of The Shield's series finale.
Mexican Moon is the fifth studio album by alternative rock band Concrete Blonde.
Vowel Movement is the debut and only studio album from Vowel Movement, an American music collaboration between Holly Vincent and Johnette Napolitano, which was released by Mammoth in 1995.
"Joey" is the ninth track from American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde's third studio album, Bloodletting (1990). The song was released in 1990 and was written and sung by the band's frontwoman, Johnette Napolitano. The song was written in a cab on the way to a photo studio in Philadelphia; it was the last vocal recorded on the album due to Napolitano's reluctance to record the lyrics, which were hard for her to deal with.
"Tomorrow Wendy" is a song written and originally recorded by American singer-songwriter Andy Prieboy. Released in 1990 as the lead single from his first solo album ...Upon My Wicked Son, Prieboy recorded the song as a duet with Johnette Napolitano. In 1990, Napolitano would also record the song with her band Concrete Blonde for their third studio album Bloodletting.
"Damage I've Done" is a song from American band The Heads, which was released in 1996 as the lead single from their only studio album No Talking, Just Head. A collaboration between the Heads and Johnette Napolitano, "Damage I've Done" was written by Napolitano (lyrics), and Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison, T. "Blast" Murray and Tina Weymouth (music). It was produced by the Heads.
"Heal It Up" is a song from American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde, which was released in 1993 as the second single from their fifth studio album Mexican Moon. The song was written by Johnette Napolitano, and produced by Concrete Blonde and Sean Freehill.
"Ghost of a Texas Ladies' Man" is a song from American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde, which was released in 1992 as the lead single from their fourth studio album Walking in London. The song was written by Johnette Napolitano, and produced by Concrete Blonde and Chris Tsangarides. It reached number 2 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in March 1992.
"Caroline" is a song from American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde, which was released in 1990 as the third single from their third studio album Bloodletting. The song was written by Johnette Napolitano, and produced by Concrete Blonde and Chris Tsangarides. The song reached number 23 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.
"God Is a Bullet" is a song from American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde, which was released in 1989 as the lead single from their second studio album Free. The song was written and produced by the band. "God Is a Bullet" reached number 15 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.
"True" is a song from American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde, which was released in 1987 as the second single from their debut studio album Concrete Blonde (1986). The song was written by Johnette Napolitano and James Mankey, and produced by Earle Mankey and Concrete Blonde. The song reached number 42 on the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart.
"Someday?" is a song from American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde, which was released in 1992 as the second single from their fourth studio album Walking in London. The song was written by Johnette Napolitano, and produced by Concrete Blonde and Chris Tsangarides. "Someday?" reached number 8 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in May 1992.
"Happy Birthday" is a song from American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde, which was released in 1989 as the second single from their second studio album Free. The song was written and produced by the band.
Pretty & Twisted is the debut album by the American alternative rock band Pretty & Twisted, released in 1995. It was the band's only album.
"Still in Hollywood" is the debut single by American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde, which was released in 1986 from their self-titled debut studio album. The song was written by Johnette Napolitano, and produced by Earle Mankey and Concrete Blonde.
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