Gump (album)

Last updated

Gump
Gump (album).jpg
Studio album by
Released1991
Genre Rock
Label Chrysalis
Producer Chris Wardman
Sons of Freedom chronology
Sons of Freedom
(1988)
Gump
(1991)
Tex
(1995)

Gump is the second album by the Canadian band Sons of Freedom, released in 1991. [1] [2] The band was coy about the origin of the album title, claiming that it was inspired by Aerosmith's Pump , Van Halen's "Jump", and Canadian goaltender Gump Worsley. [3] [4] "You're No Good" was the first single. [5] Sons of Freedom supported the album with a Canadian tour. [6]

Contents

Production

The album was produced by Chris Wardman. [3] Sons of Freedom funded the recording sessions by selling their tour van. [7] Most of the tracks began as studio jams, with the band then going over which parts worked as songs while maintaining a groove. [8] [9] The lyrics were written by frontman Jim Newton (using the name Jim Kingston) in the fall of 1989; they were influenced by what Newton learned about storytelling in an acting class that he took. [10] [11] Newton elected not to play guitar on Gump, in part because the band did not want to repeat the musical style of their debut. [10] [12]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [13]
Calgary Herald B [14]
Morning Sentinel 7/10 [15]
The Winnipeg Sun Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [16]

The Vancouver Sun called the album a "compendium of thoughtful, rhythmic and riff-riddled pop", opining that it "splatters a canvas of sludge-guitar grey with streaks of brilliant melody to create a kind of post-punk sonic impressionism." [8] The Ottawa Citizen noted the "hypnotic, overdriven rhythm, in the tradition of such British groups as Gang of Four and Killing Joke." [9] The Calgary Herald concluded that "Gump is ugly rock 'n' roll... And that's what it makes it so appealing." [9]

The Hamilton Spectator opined that "Gump's true charm lies in the instrumental diversity offered by guitarist Don Harrison, bassist Don Binns and drummer Don Short." [17] The Winnipeg Sun praised the "invigorating music". [16] The Blade labeled the album "catchy" "muscle rock". [18] The Morning Sentinel likened the band to the Escape Club and Aerosmith, "but with a strong alternative influence." [15]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."You're No Good" 
2."Dreamgirl #1" 
3."Call Me" 
4."Circle Circle" 
5."I Can See" 
6."USA Long Distance" 
7."I Don't Care Anymore" 
8."Jesus and Jim" 
9."The Girl Can't Help It" 
10."Dreamgirl #2" 

References

  1. Barclay, Michael; Jack, Ian A.D.; Schneider, Jason (2011). Have Not Been the Same: The CanRock Renaissance 1985–1995. ECW Press. p. 695.
  2. Jones, Owen (June 25, 1992). "B.C. rocker has no illusions". The Windsor Star. p. C11.
  3. 1 2 Harrison, Tom (October 11, 1991). "Fun and Freedom: Gump a 'smart' album". The Province. p. B27.
  4. Robertson, John G. (2021). Hockey's Wildest Season: The Changing of the Guard in the NHL, 1969–1970. McFarland, Inc. p. 47.
  5. Elliott, Rob (January 1992). "Reviews". The Rocket. No. 147. p. 36.
  6. Reynolds, Bill (September 27, 1991). "Finding method in a screaming assault". The Globe and Mail. p. C2.
  7. "Gump album financed by selling van". The Standard. St. Catharines. CP. November 9, 1991. p. 29.
  8. 1 2 Potter, Greg (September 18, 1991). "Streaks of brilliant melody enhance Sons of Freedom's latest album". The Vancouver Sun. p. C5.
  9. 1 2 3 Parisien, Roch (September 26, 1991). "Sons of Freedom's new album an emotional roller-coaster ride". The Ottawa Citizen. p. E2.
  10. 1 2 Burliuk, Greg (January 28, 1992). "Vancouver Band Performs Clark Hall Tomorrow Night". Entertainment. The Kingston Whig-Standard. p. 1.
  11. Metella, Helen (October 15, 1991). "Sons of Freedom satisfied with getting people excited". Edmonton Journal. p. C15.
  12. Howell, Peter (January 31, 1992). "Sons earn freedom from CASBY curse". Toronto Star. p. D14.
  13. "Gump Review by Sean Carruthers". AllMusic. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  14. Muretich, James (September 29, 1991). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald. p. B7.
  15. 1 2 Clark, Lucky (February 15, 1992). "Overlooked CDs from '91". Morning Sentinel. TV Plus. p. 24.
  16. 1 2 Kendle, John (October 18, 1991). "Pop". The Winnipeg Sun. p. 31.
  17. Krewen, Nick (December 28, 1991). "Sons of Freedom Gump". The Hamilton Spectator. p. B8.
  18. Iverson, Doug (December 29, 1991). "Sounds". The Blade. p. G3.