Flex (album)

Last updated

Flex
Lene Lovich - Flex CD album cover.jpg
Studio album by
Released18 January 1980 [1]
Recorded1979
Studio Wisseloord Studios, Hilversum, Netherlands
Genre New wave
Length37:38
Label Stiff
Producer
Lene Lovich chronology
Stateless
(1978)
Flex
(1980)
No Man's Land
(1982)
Singles from Flex
  1. "Bird Song"
    Released: September 28, 1979
  2. "Angels"
    Released: January 1980
  3. "What Will I Do Without You?"
    Released: March 1980
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [2]
Record Mirror Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [3]
Smash Hits 6/10 [4]

Flex is the second studio album by English-American singer-songwriter Lene Lovich, released in January 1980 by Stiff Records. The album is produced by Lovich and Les Chappell with additional production by Roger Bechirian and Alan Winstanley. It was recorded at the Wisseloord Studios in Hilversum, Netherlands. She worked with Chappell and Judge Smith on writing the songs.

Contents

The cover sleeve depicts Lovich wearing a wedding dress and playing with hockey pucks on a string. It was taken inside a stainless steel fermentation tank at a Guinness brewery, after it had been emptied prior to cleaning. It caused controversy and few members of the Baptist church tried to get the album banned in the United States, saying it depicted an act of witchcraft. [ citation needed ]

Lovich described Flex as her more introverted album. After its release, it received relatively positive reviews praising album's enhanced production compared to her previous album Stateless' rough sound. It was also more successful in charts, peaking at number 94 on the Billboard 200 and number 19 on the UK Albums Chart. [5] The lead single "Bird Song" peaked at number 39 on the UK Singles Chart. The following singles were "Angels" and "What Will I Do Without You?", of which the latter peaked at number 58. [5]

The release of the album was followed by Lovich's first sold-out tour in the United States and a three-month tour within Europe, the highlight of which was a sold-out show in front of 10,000 fans in Belgrade. [6]

Background and recording

After the release of her successful debut album Stateless in 1978, Lovich embarked on the Be Stiff '78 tour along with four other artists from the recording label. In the middle of 1979, she had two top 20 hits, "Lucky Number" and "Say When", and was voted "Top Female Recording Artist of the Year" by Music Week. [6] She went on to record her second more improved album and enhance the quality of productions by using modern technology and instruments to achieve a better sound than her previous record. [7] She again collaborated with Les Chappell and also brought Judge Smith, who wrote two songs on the album. Flex was recorded at the Wisseloord Studios in Hilversum, Netherlands.

Composition

"I’m quite happy for people to read in many different stories to my music. It always interests me when people come up and say, 'I know what that song is about' and they tell me a new story that I haven’t ever heard of before. I feel very strongly in people exercising their own imaginations."

—Lene Lovich, about the meanings of her songs [7]

Described as Lovich's more introverted album, Flex deals with subjects that include more of emotional and mental activity, and are often inspired by dream images. The opening track "Bird Song" was written by Lovich and Les Chappell. When Lovich woke up in the night from a dream, she recorded different sounds on a tape recorder. The recording later served as an inspiration for the song, where at the beginning she mimics the sounds of birds. "What Will I Do Without You?" is a song written especially for the album by Judge Smith. Another song written by him appears on the album, "You Can't Kill Me", which he had already written in 1972. It deals with reincarnation. "Angels" is a song dedicated to people who like to live dangerously. Lovich spoke on people who do dangerous jobs and that they serve as an inspiration to other people. She also said, working in the music industry can be sometimes mentally damaging, but is also a good recreation. "The Night" is a cover of The Four Seasons' song. Lovich picked up the record in a second hand shop out of curiosity, since she had been interested in the band's music and later decided to record it for the album.

In "Egghead", Lovich sings about people constantly learning a lot of facts, but not understanding life and practical things. In "Wonderful One", she expresses her feelings about music and how blessed she feels being able to create it. "Monkey Talk" was allegedly inspired by two books, one by Charles Darwin and Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle. It points out the transience of success. Using the image of Joan of Arc, "Joan" speaks about the necessity of self-confidence to trust your own ideas. [7]

Track listings

Flex (1979)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Bird Song"
4:27
2."What Will I Do Without You?"3:35
3."Angels"
  • Lovich
  • Chappell
3:08
4."The Night"
4:31
5."You Can't Kill Me"
  • Smith
3:45
6."Egghead"
  • Lovich
  • Chappell
2:26
7."Wonderful One"
  • Lovich
  • Chappell
4:28
8."Monkey Talk"
  • Lovich
  • Chappell
3:20
9."Joan"
  • Lovich
  • Chappell
3:18
10."The Freeze"
  • Lovich
  • Chappell
4:40
Total length:37:38
U.S. CD Reissue bonus tracks (Flex...Plus) (1991)
No.TitleWriter(s)NotesLength
11."New Toy"From New Toy EP3:19
12."Savages"
  • Lovich
  • Chappell
From New Toy EP3:52
13."Special Star"
  • Lovich
  • Chappell
From New Toy EP3:11
14."Never Never Land"
  • Jimme O'Neill
From New Toy EP4:07
15."Cats Away"
  • Lovich
  • Chappell
From New Toy EP3:44
16."Details"
  • Lovich
  • Chappell
From New Toy EP3:12
17."It's You, Only You (Mein Schmerz)"
  • Eric De Zwaan
  • Ferdinand Bakker
  • Hugo Sinzheimer
  • Jan Voster
  • Job Tarenskeen
  • Åke Danielson
From No Man's Land album3:39
18."Blue Hotel"
  • Lovich
  • Chappell
  • Mauro Goldsand
From No Man's Land album3:46
Total length:66:28
U.S. Cassette Reissue bonus tracks (Flex...Plus) (1991)
No.TitleWriter(s)NotesLength
11."New Toy"From New Toy EP3:19
12."Never Never Land"
  • Jimme O'Neill
From New Toy EP4:07
Total length:45:04
German CD Reissue bonus tracks (1991)
No.TitleWriter(s)NotesLength
11."The Fly"
  • Lovich
  • Chappell
B-side of "Angels" (7" & 12")2:58
12."One Lonely Heart"
  • Lovich
  • Chappell
B-side of "Say When" (12")3:21
13."O Seasons, O Castles"
  • Lovich
  • Chappell
B-side of "Maria" (Australian 7") & "Blue Hotel" (German 7")2:49
14."Blue"
  • Lovich
  • Chappell
B-side of "It's You, Only You (Mein Schmertz)" (7" & 12")2:57
Total length:49:43
Europe CD Reissue Bonus Tracks (1993)
No.TitleWriter(s)NotesLength
11."The Fly"
  • Lovich
  • Chappell
B-side of "Angels" (7" & 12")2:58
12."One Lonely Heart"
  • Lovich
  • Chappell
B-side of "Say When" (7" & 12")3:19
13."O Seasons, O Castles"
  • Lovich
  • Chappell
B-side of "Maria" (Australian 7") & "Blue Hotel" (German 7")2:49
14."Blue"
  • Lovich
  • Chappell
B-side of "It's You, Only You (Mein Schmertz)" (7" & 12")2:57
15."Trixi"
  • Lovich
  • Chappell
B-side of "Bird Song" (7" & 12")2:30
Total length:52:13

Charts

Chart (1980)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [8] 81
Germany (GfK Entertainment Charts) [9] 39
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [10] 38
UK (Official Charts Company)19
US Billboard 200 [11] 94

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Favorite Mistake</span> 1998 single by Sheryl Crow

"My Favorite Mistake" is the first single from Sheryl Crow's third studio album, The Globe Sessions (1998), released on August 31, 1998, through A&M Records. Crow wrote the song about a relationship with a man who proves to be unfaithful and is widely believed to have been written about Eric Clapton. Released in 1998, the single peaked at number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Crow's fifth top-20 single in the United States, while reaching number two in Canada and giving Crow her seventh top-five hit there. In the United Kingdom, it reached number nine, becoming her last top-10 single in Britain.

"From a Distance" is a song by American singer-songwriter Julie Gold, initially penned in 1985. Gold's friend Christine Lavin introduced the song to Nanci Griffith, who first recorded it for her 1987 album Lone Star State of Mind. A successful cover version by Bette Midler was released in 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turn Back Time (Aqua song)</span> 1998 single by Aqua

"Turn Back Time" is a song by Danish dance-pop group Aqua, released as their seventh single overall, and the sixth from their debut album, Aquarium (1997). The song was also included on the soundtrack for the 1998 film Sliding Doors, starring Gwyneth Paltrow, and was released across the world throughout 1998, starting with the United States in January. The track possesses less of a bubble pop sound than Aqua's other releases; it is slow-paced and shows the full range of Lene Nystrøm's vocals but maintains the Aqua sound. In Japan, "Turn Back Time" was released along with "My Oh My". "Turn Back Time" was successful on the charts on several countries, becoming Aqua's third consecutive number one on the UK Singles Chart.

<i>Fool Around</i> 1978 studio album by Rachel Sweet

Fool Around is the debut album by American singer Rachel Sweet. It was first released in the United Kingdom on October 13, 1978 by Stiff Records. The album was released in the United States in July 1979, by Stiff and Columbia Records, with a revised track listing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Judge Smith</span> Musical artist

Christopher John Judge Smith, is an English songwriter, author, composer and performer, and a founder member of progressive rock band Van der Graaf Generator. Initially working under the name Chris Judge Smith, he has been known simply as Judge Smith since 1994. After Van der Graaf Generator, he has written songs, stage musicals and operas, and from the early 1990s on he has released a number of solo CDs, including three "Songstories".

<i>Stateless</i> (Lene Lovich album) 1978 studio album by Lene Lovich

Stateless is the debut studio album by English-American singer Lene Lovich. It was released in October 1978 by Stiff Records and produced by Lene Lovich and Les Chappell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Think We're Alone Now</span> 1967 single by Tommy James and the Shondells

"I Think We're Alone Now" is a song written and composed by Ritchie Cordell that was first recorded by Tommy James and the Shondells. It was a major hit for the group, reaching number 4 on the US Hot 100 in April 1967. It finished at No. 12 on Billboard magazine's year-end singles chart for 1967.

<i>New Toy</i> 1981 EP by Lene Lovich

New Toy is the first extended play by English-American singer-songwriter Lene Lovich released in 1981 by Stiff Records. It was released outside the United Kingdom in three different versions, one featured six new songs, while the other two contained songs from her previous albums, Stateless (1978) and Flex (1979).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucky Number (song)</span> 1979 single by Lene Lovich

"Lucky Number" is a song by English-American recording artist Lene Lovich. Originally released as a B-side for Lovich's cover of "I Think We're Alone Now", the song was re-released in 1979 by Stiff Records as an A-side and became the lead single of her debut studio album Stateless (1978). The song was written by Lovich and Les Chappell, who produced the song.

<i>March</i> (Lene Lovich album) 1989 studio album by Lene Lovich

March is the fourth studio album by English-American singer-songwriter Lene Lovich, released in October 1989 by Pathfinder Records. It was Lovich's first full-length album of original material since No Man's Land (1982) and also the last before her 15-year hiatus and the release of Shadows and Dust (2005). The album is produced by Lovich and Les Chappell who also wrote all the songs, except for "Wonderland" It was recorded in Norfolk, England.

Ron François is a British musician, who first came to notice as the lead singer and bass player of the English R&B band The Strutters, which was involved in the London pub rock scene of the mid-1970s.

<i>Shadows and Dust</i> 2005 studio album by Lene Lovich

Shadows and Dust is the fifth studio album by English-American new wave singer Lene Lovich. Released in 2005, it was her first album in 16 years, the preceding album being 1989's March. Like the previous album, this one was also recorded in Norfolk. The album was produced by Mike Thorne and released on his own label, The Stereo Society.

Roger Béchirian is an English engineer and record producer. Béchirian was a key player in the British new wave scene of the late 1970s and early 1980s, best known for his work with Nick Lowe, Paul Carrack, Elvis Costello, The Undertones, Dave Edmunds, The Monkees, the Flamin' Groovies, and Squeeze. He was also a member of the pseudonymous new wave group Blanket of Secrecy, which issued one album in 1982. More recently, Béchirian has worked with the Trashcan Sinatras and Bell X1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Be Stiff</span> 1978 single by Devo

"Be Stiff" is the third single by American new wave band Devo, released in 1978 by Stiff Records. The song was taken from the sessions for Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! (1978), produced by Brian Eno. Guitarist Bob Lewis wrote the music and came up with the title concept, while bassist and singer Gerald Casale penned the verses.

"Supernature" is the title track of Cerrone's 1977 album Supernature . Along with the tracks "Give Me Love" and "Love Is Here", the song reached number one on the US disco/dance charts early in 1978. The single crossed over to both the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number 70, and the soul charts, where it peaked at number 72. In August 1978, it peaked at number 8 in the UK Singles Chart after heavy use in the first series of The Kenny Everett Video Show.

<i>No Mans Land</i> (Lene Lovich album) 1982 studio album by Lene Lovich

No Man's Land is the third studio album by Lene Lovich, released on 12 November 1982 by Stiff Records. It is her last album to be released on the Stiff Records label. The album is produced by Lovich and Les Chappell. It contains songs from her previously released extended play, New Toy. The album had been planned to be released in 1981, but was postponed following disagreements with the record company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lene Lovich</span> American singer

Lene Lovich is an American-British singer. She first gained attention in 1979 with the release of her hit single "Lucky Number", which peaked at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart and made her a leading figure of the new wave music scene.

"Bird Song", is a 1979 song written by Lene Lovich and Les Chappell, released as a single by Lene Lovich, from the album Flex. It charted at 39 in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lene Lovich discography</span>

This is the discography of singer-songwriter Lene Lovich.

References

  1. "New Albums" (PDF). Record Business . 14 January 1980. p. 28. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  2. Flex at AllMusic. Retrieved December 18, 2011.
  3. Soave, Daniela (19 January 1980). "Cordless". Record Mirror . p. 15.
  4. Starr, Red. "Albums". Smash Hits (January 24 – February 6, 1980): 21.
  5. 1 2 "LENE LOVICH | Artist", Official Charts.
  6. 1 2 "Lene Lovich - Press material", Epic, October 29, 1982.
  7. 1 2 3 Lene Lovich - Interview (Promotional LP). Greg Torrington. Epic / Stiff Records. 1 January 1980. CDN 26.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 182. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  9. "Offizielle Deutsche Charts > Lene Lovich - Flex (in German)". GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  10. "swedishcharts.com > Discography Lene Lovich". Hung Medien. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  11. "Lene Lovich > Chart History > Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  12. Flex (LP). Lene Lovich. Stiff Records. 1979. SEEZ 19.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)