England Made Me | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1991 | |||
Length | 54:14 73:48 (2002 reissue) | |||
Label | Factory | |||
Cath Carroll chronology | ||||
|
England Made Me is the debut studio album by British singer and musician Cath Carroll, released by Factory in 1991. The album was reissued by LTM in 2002 with a rearranged track order and four bonus tracks. [1]
Two singles were released from the album: "Beast" in 1990 and "Moves Like You" in 1991. [2] [3]
In 1988, Carroll signed to Factory Records as a solo artist and began working on her debut album, England Made Me, which was named after the 1935 novel by Graham Greene. [4] The album was recorded at Fon Studios in Sheffield, Cardan Studios in Sao Paulo, Blackwing Studios in London and at the Chicago Recording Company. [5]
Carroll was inspired to give some of the songs a Latin influence after she was introduced to Batucada music and saw the London School of Samba. She told New Musical Express in 1990, "I wanted to do something with those rhythms because I listen to them a lot. There is a danger of falling into being a cheap version of David Byrne or Paul Simon but I don't think that really affects me. It's just that I feel Batucada is very similar to rockabilly and cajun, which are musics that I like." [4]
The album's title track was inspired by Carroll's disillusionment with England, including Thatcherism as well as everyday problems such as the crowded conditions and regular cancellation of trains on the London Underground. She decided to move to Chicago in 1989. She told New Musical Express that the song is about "urban decay" and described it as "kind of my Billy Bragg number". [4] "Train You're On" was the result of a recording session with Steve Albini in Chicago. The sessions also produced a version of "King Creole" which was released on the 1990 NME Elvis Presley tribute album The Last Temptation of Elvis. [6]
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
New Musical Express | 8/10 [8] |
Select | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Stafford Post | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
On its release, Dele Fadele of New Musical Express praised England Made Me as "both a coffee-table artefact – all smooth, lush aural landscapes – and a collection of observations, heartfelt pleas and abstracts from someone rather disillusioned with her homeland". She added there are "only two failings: the absence of Cath's trademark guitar and that even more Brazilian input (i.e. louder levels) wouldn't have gone amiss". [8] Ian Gittins of Melody Maker described it as "truly ravishing" and a "sparkling, unlikely success". He commented, "Texturally, England Made Me throbs with scarlet electro and lazy Latin-jazz shuffles. Cleverly, Cath nicks from her various adopted cultures (especially South American) precisely what suits her guarded, heat-guided words of regret and curiosity. These song-stories of heat and dust really sting." [11] Johnny Black of Hi-Fi News & Record Review noted the album's "terrifyingly sinister tales sung in deadpan tones" and "musical atmospheres which are not only mesmerically beautiful but also startlingly original". [12]
Adam Sweeting of The Guardian described the album as "a collection of limpid but atmospheric songs, coolly sung and sparingly played". He concluded, "This record steals over you like a fit of melancholia, and beware – it's more potent than it seems." [13] Neil Spencer of The Observer felt that Carroll "promises much" on the album and noted how it is "heavy on languid atmosphere", but felt the songs "prove disappointingly slight" and added that the "clever productions can't always conceal her Sade-style vocal limitations". [14] Chris Evans of the Stafford Post noted it as "one of the most curious debuts by a Manchester lass, not least because its roots are less in Lancashire than South America". However, he felt Carroll's voice was "of the languid-going-on-anaemic school best epitomised by Sade" and added that the material was "melodically slender and lyrically cack-handed". He concluded, "It aims for slinky and atmospheric and achieves only dull posturing." [10]
In a retrospective review, J. Edward Keyes of AllMusic noted the album is "bloated with unremarkable songs" but felt it was still "a consistently engaging affair, a cunning work of slinky, sinister pop and ghostly electronics". He praised Carroll's "aching alto" and how she "ably applies both her wordsmithery and melodic knack throughout the album". He felt that the "moody and spare" songs such as "Beast on the Street" and "Watching You" were better than those which "abandon [the] moodiness", commenting that on those tracks the "results are nearly always disastrous". He also noted the album is "noteworthy for the way it prefigured the sort of female-fronted dance pop popularized by groups like Saint Etienne and Waltz for Debbie". [7]
All tracks are written by Cath Carroll and Sim Lister.
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "To Close Your Eyes Forever" | 5:53 |
2. | "Unforgettable" | 3:53 |
3. | "Moves Like You" | 6:34 |
4. | "Watching You" | 6:27 |
5. | "Beast on the Streets" | 6:57 |
6. | "Subtitled" | 6:36 |
7. | "Next Time (He's Mine)" | 4:34 |
8. | "England Made Me" | 4:19 |
9. | "Send Me Over" | 4:12 |
10. | "Train You're On" | 4:16 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Moves Like You" | 6:38 |
2. | "Unforgettable" | 3:56 |
3. | "Beast on the Streets" | 7:00 |
4. | "Train You're On" | 4:20 |
5. | "Send Me Over" | 4:16 |
6. | "Subtitled" | 6:39 |
7. | "Watching You" | 6:30 |
8. | "Next Time (He's Mine)" | 4:38 |
9. | "To Close Your Eyes Forever" | 5:53 |
10. | "Too Good to Live" | 4:44 |
11. | "Moves Like You" (Remix) | 4:16 |
12. | "Send Me Over" (Remix) | 3:46 |
13. | "Beast on the Streets" (Remix) | 6:46 |
14. | "England Made Me" | 4:21 |
Credits are adapted from the original 1991 CD album booklet's liner notes. [5]
Production
Other
"Kids" is a duet between singers Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue, released as the second single from Sing When You're Winning, Williams' third studio album, and the third single from Light Years, Minogue's seventh studio album. Williams and his then songwriting partner Guy Chambers co-wrote the song for Minogue.
The Way That I Am is the second studio album by American country music singer Martina McBride, released on September 14, 1993, through RCA Nashville. It was certified Platinum on May 15, 1995, by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). This was her breakthrough album, producing her first Top 5 hit in "My Baby Loves Me", which was previously released as a single by Canadian singer Patricia Conroy from her 1992 album Bad Day for Trains. McBride's version was a number 2 hit on the Hot Country Songs. Also released as singles from this album were "Life #9" at number 6, "Independence Day" at number 12, "Heart Trouble" at number 21, and "Where I Used to Have a Heart" at number 49.
The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads is a double live album by the American new wave band Talking Heads, released in 1982 by Sire Records. The first LP features the original quartet in recordings from 1977 and 1979, and the second LP features the expanded ten-piece lineup that toured in 1980 and 1981. The album contains live versions of songs that appear on their first four studio albums: Talking Heads: 77, More Songs About Buildings and Food, Fear of Music, and Remain in Light.
"The Long Goodbye" is a song written by Irish singer-songwriters Paul Brady and Ronan Keating for Brady's 2000 album Oh What a World. In October 2001, it was released by American country music duo Brooks & Dunn as the third single from their album Steers & Stripes. Ronan Keating released his version in April 2003 as the last single from his album Destination (2002).
"The Way You Make Me Feel" is a song by Irish singer-songwriter Ronan Keating from his debut solo album, Ronan. It was released as the third single from the album on 20 November 2000. The song peaked at number six on the UK Singles Chart. The song was written by English songwriter Phil Thornalley and Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams, who both provide backing vocals on the track. In 2004, the song was re-recorded for Keating's greatest hits album, 10 Years of Hits, featuring vocals from Adams.
Miaow were an English indie band from Manchester, England, active between 1984 and 1988. They were led by former Glass Animals singer and NME writer Cath Carroll on vocals and guitar, with Steve Maguire (guitar), Ron Caine (bass) and Chris Fenner (drums). Their debut single, "Belle Vue", was released in December 1985, the 12"-version featuring the track "Grocer's Devil Daughter", a song about Margaret Thatcher. The band's next release was the "Sport Most Royal" track that they contributed to the NME’s C86 compilation in 1986. After supporting The Woodentops on their UK tour, two further singles followed in 1987 on Factory Records, the band also relocating to London. Carroll joined The Hit Parade and Miaow split up without releasing the promised album, titled 'Priceless Innuendo'. Cath Carroll subsequently married Big Black guitarist Santiago Durango and went on to a solo career in the 1990s.
Red Hot Rhythm and Blues is the seventeenth studio album by American R&B singer Diana Ross, released on May 8, 1987 by RCA Records and EMI Records. It was Ross' last of six albums released by the label during the decade. It was produced by veteran Atlantic Records producer Tom Dowd with one track contributed by Luther Vandross.
Times of Grace is the sixth studio album by Californian band Neurosis, released on May 4, 1999. It continued the band's development of the post-metal genre and demonstrates gothic rock and progressive rock influences. This album and Grace, an ambient companion by the band's alter-ego Tribes of Neurot, are designed to play alongside each other. Times of Grace marked the beginning of the band's ongoing working relationship with recording engineer Steve Albini.
Cath Carroll is a British musician and music journalist.
Crazy Nights is the second studio album released by country music band Lonestar. Four singles were released from this album: "Come Cryin' to Me", "You Walked In", "Say When", and "Everything's Changed". "Come Cryin' to Me" reached number one on the Hot Country Songs charts. Also included is a cover of country rock band Pure Prairie League's single "Amie".
Buick is the seventh studio album by American country music band Sawyer Brown. Released in 1991 on Capitol Records, it features the singles "One Less Pony", "Mama's Little Baby Loves Me" and "The Walk". Although these first two singles reached the lower portions of the Billboard country music charts, "The Walk" peaked at #2, and was reprised on the band's 1992 album The Dirt Road.
Rhythm of Life is the debut studio album by Scottish musician Paul Haig, released in November 1983 by Island Records. It was recorded at Sigma Sound Studios in New York City and RAK Studios in London with renowned producer Alex Sadkin. The album features guest musicians such as Bernie Worrell of Parliament-Funkadelic, Anton Fier of the Feelies and the Golden Palominos, and Tom Bailey of Thompson Twins. Four singles were released from Rhythm of Life: "Heaven Sent", "Never Give Up ", "Justice" and "Blue for You". The track "Adoration" was originally performed while Haig was still a member of post-punk band Josef K. The album spent 2 weeks on the UK Albums Chart, peaking at No. 82.
Both Sides Live is a 2-CD live album by American rock band the Hooters, released in November 2008.
Meanwhile Back in Paris... is the debut studio album by Canadian rock band Streetheart. It was released in 1978 and features the band's first two singles, "Action" and "Look at Me". The title comes from the lyrics of the album's opening track "Action". The album was followed by 1979's Under Heaven Over Hell.
Kalima was a Manchester-based Factory Records band who were active from 1980 to 1991 and in 2001 after a reformation, playing in a funk, Latin and jazz style.
The Lizard Train were an Australian rock band from Adelaide which formed in early 1985. They released five albums, Slippery, The Ride (1990), Get Yer Wah Wahs Out (1992), Couch (1993) and Everything Moves (1995). Australian rock music historian, Ian McFarlane, contrasted their early work as "a melange of screaming guitars did battle over a rumbling rhythm section. Yet, beneath the distorted riffs and lyrical angst, the band boasted a melodic and harmonic sensibility usually disregarded in such aggressive music" with later work "brimming with powerful, dark songs and inspired musicianship".
"Auberge" is a song by British singer-songwriter Chris Rea, which was released in February 1991 as the lead single from his eleventh studio album, Auberge. It was written by Rea and produced by Jon Kelly. "Auberge" reached No. 16 in the United Kingdom and remained on the UK Singles Chart for six weeks. A music video was filmed to promote the single. It was directed by Nigel Dick and shot at Bray Studios, Berkshire.
"Winter" is a song by Scottish band Love and Money, which was released in 1991 as the third and final single from their third studio album Dogs in the Traffic. The song was written by James Grant and produced by Steve Nye. "Winter" reached No. 52 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the Top 100 for two weeks.
Between Two Churches is the ninth studio album by English singer-songwriter Black, which was released by Nero Schwarz in 2005.
"Feel Like Change" is a song by English singer-songwriter Black, which was released by A&M in 1991 as the lead single from his third studio album Black. The song was written by Black and produced by Robin Millar. "Feel Like Change" reached number 56 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for two weeks.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link){{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link){{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link){{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link){{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)