Giving the Game Away

Last updated

Giving the Game Away
GivingTheGameAway.png
Studio album by
Thunder
Released24 February 1999 (1999-02-24)
RecordedApril 1998
StudioAt Wessex Sound Studios, Jacobs Studios, Farnham, Surrey, London
Genre
Length51:00
Label Victor
Producer Luke Morley
Thunder studio album chronology
The Thrill of It All
(1996)		Giving the Game Away
(1999)		 Shooting at the Sun
(2003)
Singles from Giving the Game Away
  1. "Play That Funky Music"
    Released: 15 June 1998 (1998-06-15)
  2. "Just Another Suicide (You Wanna Know)"
    Released: 8 March 1999 (1999-03-08)

Giving the Game Away is the fifth studio album by English hard rock band Thunder. Recorded in April 1998, it was produced the band's lead guitarist Luke Morley. The album was initially released in Japan by Victor Entertainment on 24 February 1999, with the European release by Eagle Records (under the band's B Lucky sub-label) following on 15 March 1999. Giving the Game Away was the last studio album Thunder released before breaking up for the first time the following year.

Contents

Following the departure of Mikael "Micke" Höglund in 1996, Giving the Game Away is the first studio album by Thunder to feature bassist Chris Childs. The album was criticised in some reviews for being too "mellow" and marking a departure from the band's previous releases. It was also less successful in commercial terms, spending only one week on the UK Albums Chart at number 49, peaking at number 2 on the UK Rock & Metal Albums Chart and failing to chart in any other region.

Giving the Game Away was promoted only briefly following its release, with just two dates in Japan and ten in the UK between 1 May and 6 June 1999. The band remained inactive for the months following this, and in November announced that they were to break up after one last run of shows. Two singles were released from the album – "Play That Funky Music" and "Just Another Suicide (You Wanna Know)" reached number 39 and number 49, respectively, on the UK Singles Chart.

Background

Thunder recorded their fifth studio album in April 1998. [1] Bassist Chris Childs, who was recording with the band for the first time, described the sessions as "pretty much a party with a recording session breaking out every now and then", [2] in a similar fashion to the way in which guitarist and keyboardist Ben Matthews recalled the sessions for the band's debut album Backstreet Symphony ten years earlier. [3] On 15 June 1998, the band released the first single from the upcoming album, a cover version of Wild Cherry's "Play That Funky Music", [4] which gave charted at number 39 on the UK Singles Chart, [5] and at number 35 on the Scottish Singles Chart. [6]

After a short tour of Japan, a number of festival appearances and some dates supporting Status Quo, the band released "Just Another Suicide" as the second single from the album on 8 March 1999. [1] The single was renamed "You Wanna Know" upon its release in the UK, because the band's label Eagle Records warned the group that the song would receive less radio airplay if it had the word 'suicide' in the title. [7] The track registered on the UK Singles Chart at number 49, [5] and on the Scottish Singles Chart at number 45. [8] Giving the Game Away was released following an "album preview night" at Wulfrun Hall in Wolverhampton two days earlier. [1] The Japanese version of the album featured two additional bonus tracks – "Wonderland" and "The Only One" – while some European editions included a bonus CD which featured the radio edit of "You Wanna Know" and live versions of "With a Little Help from My Friends" (originally by The Beatles) and the band's debut single "She's So Fine". [9]

Giving the Game Away spent only one week on the UK Albums Chart at number 49, the lowest position achieved by the band up to that point. [5] The album also debuted at number 2 on the UK Rock & Metal Albums Chart, behind Neon Ballroom by Silverchair. [10] In promotion of the record, the band played two shows in Japan on 1 and 2 May, followed by a short ten-date tour in the UK between 25 May and 6 June. [11]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [12]

Reviewing the album for AllMusic, Eduardo Rivadavia described Giving the Game Away as "an unexpectedly mellow affair, trading in most of the hard rock bombast that characterised the British band's prior releases for slower tempos, unusual restraint, and lots of acoustic guitars". [12] Rivadavia praised the tracks "Time to Get Enough", "Rolling the Dice" and "Just Another Suicide (You Wanna Know)", but complained of a lack of memorable moments elsewhere. [12] He concluded by noting that "amid this wholesale change of musical tact, however, one can still hear Thunder's natural songwriting instincts and versatile musicianship shining through". [12]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Just Another Suicide (You Wanna Know)"
4:10
2."All I Ever Wanted"Morley4:20
3."Giving the Game Away"Morley5:05
4."You'll Still Need a Friend"Morley4:30
5."Rolling the Dice"Morley4:59
6."Numb"Morley5:20
7."Play That Funky Music" (Wild Cherry cover) Rob Parissi 3:48
8."'Til It Shines"Morley4:51
9."Time to Get Tough"Morley3:53
10."It's Another Day"Morley4:42
11."It Could Be Tonight"
5:22
Total length:51:00
Japanese edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
12."Wonderland"Morley4:16
13."The Only One"
  • Morley
  • James
3:58
Total length:59:14
European special edition bonus disc
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."You Wanna Know" (radio edit)
  • Morley
  • James
 
2."With a Little Help from My Friends" (live The Beatles cover)
 
3."She's So Fine" (live)
  • Morley
  • Taylor
 

Personnel

Charts

Chart (1999)Peak
position
UK Albums (OCC) [13] 49
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC) [14] 2
Chart (2023)Peak
position
Scottish Albums (OCC) [15] 25
UK Independent Albums (OCC) [16] 18

Related Research Articles

The new wave of British heavy metal was a nationwide musical movement that started in England in the mid-1970s and achieved international attention by the early 1980s. Editor Alan Lewis coined the term for an article by Geoff Barton in a May 1979 issue of the British music newspaper Sounds to describe the emergence of new heavy metal bands in the mid to late 1970s, during the period of punk rock's decline and the dominance of new wave music.

<i>Comfort in Sound</i> 2002 studio album by Feeder

Comfort in Sound is the fourth studio album by Welsh rock band Feeder, released on 21 October 2002 and also the first to be released by the band after the suicide of drummer Jon Lee earlier in the year. The album was recorded at RAK Studios in London during most of 2002, and was produced by Gil Norton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thunder (band)</span> English hard rock band

Thunder are an English hard rock band from London. Formed in 1989, the group was founded by former Terraplane members Danny Bowes, Luke Morley and Gary "Harry" James (drums), along with second guitarist and keyboardist Ben Matthews and bassist Mark "Snake" Luckhurst. Originally signed to EMI Records in the UK, the band released their debut album Backstreet Symphony in 1990, which reached number 21 on the UK Albums Chart and number 114 on the US Billboard 200. The 1992 follow-up Laughing on Judgement Day reached number 2, while both albums were certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). All nine singles released from the two albums reached the UK Singles Chart top 40.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spit It Out (Slipknot song)</span> 2000 single by Slipknot

"Spit It Out" is a song by American heavy metal band Slipknot, released as the second and final single from the band's 1999 self-titled debut album.

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

The English-American hard rock band Whitesnake have released thirteen studio albums, nine live albums, twelve compilation albums, three box sets, two extended plays (EPs), 40 singles, nine video albums and 29 music videos. Formed in London in 1978 by vocalist David Coverdale, the band originally featured guitarists Micky Moody and Bernie Marsden, bassist Neil Murray, keyboardist Peter Solley and drummer Dave Dowle. The group's debut EP Snakebite was released in June 1978 and reached number 61 on the UK Singles Chart. After replacing Solley with Jon Lord, the band released their debut full-length album Trouble later in the year, which reached number 50 on the UK Albums Chart. 1979's Lovehunter reached number 29 on the chart. Lead single "Long Way from Home" charted at number 55.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foo Fighters discography</span>

The discography of Foo Fighters, an American rock band formed in 1995 by Dave Grohl, consists of eleven studio albums, ten extended plays (EPs), six video albums, and 57 singles. The current Foo Fighters line-up consists of Grohl, Rami Jaffee (keyboard), Nate Mendel (bass), Chris Shiflett (guitar), Pat Smear (guitar) and Josh Freese (drums).

<i>Live</i> (Thunder album) 1998 live album by Thunder

Live is the second live album by the English hard rock band Thunder and the first released outside of Japan. Recorded over four shows in November 1997 at Wulfrun Hall in Wolverhampton and Shepherd's Bush Empire in London, it was produced by the band's lead guitarist Luke Morley and engineered and mixed by Mike Fraser. It was released by Eagle Rock Entertainment on 16 February 1998. An accompanying video was released by Eagle Vision on 28 March 1998.

<i>Backstreet Symphony</i> 1990 studio album by Thunder

Backstreet Symphony is the debut studio album by English hard rock band Thunder. Recorded in 1989 at Great Linford Manor Studios in Milton Keynes, it was produced by former Duran Duran and The Power Station guitarist Andy Taylor, then mixed by Mike Fraser at AIR Studios in London. The album was initially released on 5 March 1990 by EMI Records in the UK and Capitol Records in the US, and was later re-released the following year in the US by Geffen Records.

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

The discography of Rancid, an American punk rock band, includes ten studio albums, two extended plays, two compilations, twenty-seven singles and thirty-seven music videos.

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

The discography of Australian hard rock band Wolfmother consists of six studio albums, four extended play (EPs), 18 singles, 14 music videos and one video album. The band have also contributed to two soundtracks and one tribute album. Originally from Sydney, Wolfmother were formed in 2004 by vocalist and guitarist Andrew Stockdale, bassist and keyboardist Chris Ross, and drummer Myles Heskett. After signing with Modular Recordings and releasing their self-titled debut EP in 2004, the band's debut full-length studio album, also titled Wolfmother, was released in Australia in October 2005. It reached number 3 on the Australian Albums Chart. The album was released internationally the following year, reaching number 25 in the UK, number 22 in the US, and selling over 1.6 million copies worldwide by 2009.

<i>Bang!</i> (Thunder album) 2008 studio album by Thunder

Bang! is the ninth studio album by English hard rock band Thunder. Recorded at Walton Castle in Clevedon, North Somerset, it was produced by the band's lead guitarist Luke Morley. The album was released in the UK by STC Recordings on 3 November 2008, and later in Europe by Frontiers Records and in Japan by Victor Entertainment. The album was released alongside the extended play The Joy of Six, containing six previously unreleased tracks.

<i>Laughing on Judgement Day</i> 1992 studio album by Thunder

Laughing on Judgement Day is the second studio album by English hard rock band Thunder. Recorded between February and June 1992 at Outside Studios in Checkendon, it was produced the band's lead guitarist Luke Morley and Andy Taylor, then mixed by David Bascombe at AIR Studios in London. The album was released on 24 August 1992 by EMI Records in Europe and Japan, and by Geffen Records in the United States.

<i>Behind Closed Doors</i> (Thunder album) 1995 studio album by Thunder

Behind Closed Doors is the third studio album by English hard rock band Thunder. Recorded between May and August 1994 at various studios, primarily Southern Tracks in Atlanta, Georgia, it was produced the band's lead guitarist Luke Morley and Mike Fraser, the latter of whom also mixed the album at the Record Plant in Los Angeles, California. The album was released on 23 January 1995 by EMI Records in Europe and Japan, and was not released in the United States.

<i>Robert Johnsons Tombstone</i> 2006 studio album by Thunder

Robert Johnson's Tombstone is the eighth studio album by English hard rock band Thunder. Recorded at Chapel Studios in South Thoresby, Chez Bez and Tackle Out Studios in London, and the El Relaxo villa in Mijas, Spain, it was produced by the band's lead guitarist Luke Morley. The album was released in the UK by STC Recordings on 30 October 2006, in Europe by Frontiers Records on 10 November, and in Japan by Victor Entertainment on 26 February 2007.

<i>Shooting at the Sun</i> 2003 studio album by Thunder

Shooting at the Sun is the sixth studio album by English hard rock band Thunder. Recorded from October to December 2002 at Jacobs Studios in Farnham, it was produced the band's lead guitarist Luke Morley and engineered and mixed by Rupert Coulson. The album was initially released online by the band's own label STC Recordings on 3 March 2003, followed by a physical release in Japan by Victor Entertainment on 5 March and in Europe by Frontiers Records on 7 April.

<i>The Thrill of It All</i> (Thunder album) 1996 studio album by Thunder

The Thrill of It All is the fourth studio album by English hard rock band Thunder. Recorded between April and May 1996 at Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, Wales, it was produced the band's lead guitarist Luke Morley and mixed by Rupert Coulson at London's Trident 2. The album was initially released in Japan by Victor Entertainment on 1 September 1996, with the European release by Castle Communications following on 2 February 1997.

<i>The Magnificent Seventh!</i> 2005 studio album by Thunder

The Magnificent Seventh! is the seventh studio album by English hard rock band Thunder. Recorded from June to August 2004, it was produced the band's lead guitarist Luke Morley and engineered and mixed by Rupert Coulson. The album was released in the UK by the band's own label STC Recordings on 21 February 2005, in Europe by Frontiers Records the following day, in Japan by Victor Entertainment on 28 March and worldwide on iTunes on 13 April.

<i>Wonder Days</i> 2015 studio album by Thunder

Wonder Days is the tenth studio album by English hard rock band Thunder. Recorded in late 2014 at Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, Wales, it was produced by the band's lead guitarist Luke Morley and released internationally by earMusic in February 2015. Wonder Days was the first Thunder studio album to be released since Bang! in 2008, as well as the band's first release on earMusic with whom they signed after returning from their second breakup in 2014.

<i>They Think Its All Over... It Is Now</i> 2000 live album by Thunder

They Think It's All Over... It Is Now is the third live album by English hard rock band Thunder. Recorded on 4 May 2000 at Dingwalls in London, the last date of the band's UK Farewell Tour, it was produced by the band's guitarists Luke Morley and Ben Matthews, both of whom also mixed it. The album was initially released on 10 July 2000 as the band's first release on Papillon Records. It was later issued in Europe by Repertoire Records on 27 November 2000.

<i>The Best of Thunder: Their Finest Hour (And a Bit)</i> 1995 compilation album by Thunder

The Best of Thunder: Their Finest Hour is the first compilation album by English hard rock band Thunder. Released on 25 September 1995 by EMI Records, it features songs from the band's first three studio albums – Backstreet Symphony, Laughing on Judgement Day and Behind Closed Doors – as well as a re-recorded version of "Higher Ground", 1994 single "Gimme Shelter" and new tracks "In a Broken Dream" and "Once in a Lifetime".

References

  1. 1 2 3 "History". Thunder. Archived from the original on 20 May 2017. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  2. ↑ McIver 2016 , p. 245
  3. ↑ McIver 2016 , p. 109
  4. ↑ McIver 2016 , p. 246
  5. 1 2 3 "Thunder Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  6. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100: 21 June 1998 – 27 June 1998". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  7. ↑ McIver 2016 , p. 247
  8. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100: 14 March 1999 – 20 March 1999". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  9. ↑ "Giving The Game Away". Thunder. Archived from the original on 26 March 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  10. ↑ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40: 21 March 1999 – 27 March 1999". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  11. ↑ "Giving Away the Game Tour". Thunder. Archived from the original on 24 April 2015. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Giving the Game Away – Thunder: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . All Media Network . Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  13. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  14. ↑ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  16. ↑ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 30, 2024.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.