In Loving Memory Of...

Last updated
In Loving Memory Of...
InLovingMemoryOf.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedOctober 7, 1997
StudioPresence Studios, Toronto, Ontario
Genre Alternative rock, progressive rock, blues rock, post-grunge
Length60:30
Label WEA, Atlantic
Producer Matt DeMatteo, Big Wreck, Chris Wardman
Big Wreck chronology
In Loving Memory Of...
(1997)
The Pleasure and the Greed
(2001)
Singles from In Loving Memory Of...
  1. "The Oaf (My Luck Is Wasted)"
    Released: September 29, 1997 [1]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [2]

In Loving Memory Of... is the debut studio album by American-Canadian rock band Big Wreck. Released in 1997, the album features the single "The Oaf," which became a Top Ten hit in the U.S. Subsequent singles, "That Song" and "Blown Wide Open", found airplay in the United States but experienced greater success in Canada where they both reached the Top Ten on the country's alternative chart. "Under the Lighthouse" was released as a single exclusively in Canada.

Contents

In Loving Memory Of... features layered progressive elements in addition to its heavy Southern rock style. Lyrically, it deals predominantly with relationship issues. Frontman Ian Thornley noted, "The majority of the album is actually written about one girl. Somebody who's still fucking me up." He also admitted that the track "Look What I Found" was intended to sound like Soundgarden as a reference to how popular bands gain fame emulating other groups. [3]

To promote their debut album, Big Wreck opened for progressive metal band Dream Theater in what was their first major national tour.

In 2018, Big Wreck embarked on a 35-date North American tour to celebrate the 20th anniversary of In Loving Memory Of..., in which they performed every song from the album at each show. [4] The album was also reissued the same year with new artwork and two previously unreleased outtakes from the recording sessions. This reissue also saw the album's first vinyl press.

Track listing

All lyrics are written by Ian Thornley; all music is composed by Ian Thornley except where noted

No.TitleMusicLength
1."The Oaf" 4:39
2."That Song" 5:04
3."Look What I Found" 4:55
4."Blown Wide Open" 5:55
5."How Would You Know" Ian Thornley, Brian Doherty4:36
6."Oh My" 3:23
7."Under the Lighthouse" 4:11
8."Fall Through the Cracks" Ian Thornley, David Henning4:20
9."Waste" Ian Thornley, Brian Doherty4:00
10."By the Way" 5:10
11."Between You and I" 3:45
12."Prayer" 3:49
13."Overemphasizing" 6:43
Total length:60:30
Outtakes released for the 20th anniversary edition
No.TitleOriginal single releaseLength
14."Ill Advice""That Song" (Japanese release only)4:03
15."Still Holding" (Demo)"The Oaf" (Japanese release only)4:00
Total length:68:33

"Fall Through the Cracks" and "Overemphasizing" were produced by Chris Wardman.

Personnel

Charts

Chart (1998)Peak
position
Canada Top Albums/CDs ( RPM ) [5] 48
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard) [6] 31

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [7] 2× Platinum200,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

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References

  1. "HITS" (PDF). worldradiohistory.com. September 26, 1997.
  2. Allmusic review
  3. Worley, Gail. "An Interview with Ian Thornley". ink19.com. Archived from the original on September 27, 2009. Retrieved November 1, 2009.
  4. Big Wreck Take 'In Loving Memory Of' on 20th Anniversary Tour. Exclaim! . Retrieved January 19, 2019.
  5. "Top RPM Albums: Issue 3553". RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  6. "Big Wreck Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  7. "Canadian album certifications – Big Wreck – In Loving Memory Of..." Music Canada.