Life's Too Short | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1991 | |||
Genre | Arena rock [1] | |||
Length | 45:34 | |||
Label | MCA | |||
Producer | Ed Stasium | |||
Marshall Crenshaw chronology | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [2] |
Robert Christgau | B+ [3] |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [4] |
Rolling Stone | [5] |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [6] |
Life's Too Short is the sixth album by singer/songwriter Marshall Crenshaw. [7]
The album was produced by Ed Stasium and featured Kenny Aronoff on drums. Crenshaw recalled, "I liked what Kenny Aronoff (drums) and Ed Stasium (production) were doing right then, I liked them both personally, and I wanted to work with them, so off we went…" [8]
"Better Back Off" was a moderate hit on the Modern Rock charts, reaching number 17. Crenshaw said of the song, "On 'Better Back Off' you can tell from the music that I'm trying to write a big Rock-radio anthem. But the lyrics don't quite get there – they describe an intimate conversation between two people, not very anthem-like..." [8]
Spin named the album to their list of 30 overlooked albums from 1991, stating, "The Ed Stasium-produced album is full of the kind of literate guitar pop that made Crenshaw a star in the '80s, with catchy gems like 'Delilah' and “Fantastic Planet of Love.'" [9]
All songs written by Marshall Crenshaw, except where noted.
Road to Ruin is the fourth studio album by the American punk rock band Ramones, released on September 22, 1978, through Sire Records as LP record, 8 track cartridge & audio cassette. It was the first Ramones album to feature new drummer Marky Ramone, who replaced Tommy Ramone. Tommy left the band due to low sales of previous albums as well as stress he experienced while touring; however, he stayed with the band to produce the album with Ed Stasium. The artwork's concept was designed by Ramones fan Gus MacDonald and later modified by John Holmstrom to include Marky instead of Tommy.
Beauty and Sadness is the second EP by The Smithereens, released in June 1983 on Little Ricky Records.
Too Tough to Die is the eighth studio album by the American punk rock band Ramones. It was released on October 1, 1984, and is the first Ramones record to feature Richie Ramone on drums. With ex-member Tommy Ramone producing, the recording process was similar to that of the band's 1976 self-titled debut album. Likewise, the record's style—both lyrically and compositionally—saw the band returning to their roots. The photograph on the album cover, which features silhouettes of the band members, resulted from a "lucky accident" after photographer George DuBose's camera malfunctioned.
Under the Red Sky is the 27th studio album by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, released on September 10, 1990, by Columbia Records. It was produced by Don Was, David Was, and Dylan.
Dance Naked is the thirteenth studio album by American singer-songwriter John Mellencamp released on June 21, 1994. The album was released in response to the record company's accusations that Mellencamp's previous album, Human Wheels, didn't "fit the format." Mellencamp was irritated with this remark, feeling that none of his albums ever fit the format. As a result, he wrote several purposely radio-friendly songs and recorded them within the span of 14 days at his Belmont Mall recording studio in Belmont, Indiana, intending to show the lack of effort required to produce the type of album they were asking for.
No Frills is the sixth studio album by American singer Bette Midler, released on Atlantic Records in 1983. No Frills was Midler's first studio album in four years, following the movies The Rose, Divine Madness! and Jinxed!. The rock and new wave influenced album was produced by Chuck Plotkin, best known for his work with Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, and included three single releases; the ballad "All I Need to Know", a cover of Marshall Crenshaw's "You're My Favorite Waste of Time" and Midler's take on the Rolling Stones song "Beast of Burden".
This Perfect World is the third album by singer-songwriter Freedy Johnston. It was released in 1994 on Elektra Records.
Can You Fly is the second album by singer-songwriter Freedy Johnston. It was released in 1992 on Bar/None Records. Can You Fly appeared on Fast Folk's year-end list of the ten best albums of 1992, and The Village Voice's Robert Christgau later dubbed it "a perfect album".
Marshall Crenshaw is the debut studio album by American musician Marshall Crenshaw. It was released on April 28, 1982, by Warner Bros. Records. Crenshaw, a performer in the musical Beatlemania, had begun to write songs for the album while staying in New York. The album was recorded with his backing band and producer Richard Gottehrer, engineer Thom Panunzio, and second engineer Jim Ball.
Good Evening is a 1989 album by Marshall Crenshaw. Although critically well-received, it failed to chart.
Born to Laugh at Tornadoes is a 1983 album by the art-funk band Was. Rolling Stone declared it "conceptually, the best album of the year" shortly after its release. Despite the glowing reviews, Tornadoes made little commercial impact in a year dominated by Michael Jackson's Thriller and Prince's 1999.
Field Day is the second album by American rock musician Marshall Crenshaw. Recorded quickly after the moderate success of his self-titled debut album, Field Day featured a change in style and production after Crenshaw switched producers from Richard Gottehrer to Steve Lillywhite. The recording of the album was remembered positively by Crenshaw as was the album's sound.
Home is the BoDeans' third studio album, and was released in 1989. It peaked at number 94 on the Billboard 200 chart.
...Ya Know? is the second and final solo album by Joey Ramone. It was released posthumously on May 22, 2012, by BMG. The album features producers Ed Stasium, Jean Beauvoir, Daniel Rey, Joey's brother Mickey Leigh and Joe Blaney. Musicians include Joan Jett, Steven Van Zandt, Richie Ramone, Holly Beth Vincent, Genya Ravan, members of Cheap Trick and the Dictators and Mickey Leigh.
Downtown is the third album by singer/songwriter Marshall Crenshaw. Recorded after the relative failure of his album Field Day, Downtown was a departure from his previous albums due to its more rootsy sound.
Mary Jean & 9 Others is the fourth album by singer-songwriter Marshall Crenshaw. The album was produced by Don Dixon and features a return to the sounds of Crenshaw's earlier work after the country rock excursion of his previous album, Downtown.
Live …My Truck Is My Home is a live album by singer/songwriter Marshall Crenshaw, which includes performances from 1982 to 1994.
Miracle of Science is the seventh studio album by singer/songwriter Marshall Crenshaw, and his first studio effort for the indie imprint Razor & Tie. Having left the major labels to increase his creative control, Crenshaw produced the album and played most of the instruments.
I've Suffered For My Art…Now It's Your Turn is a live album by singer/songwriter Marshall Crenshaw. It was recorded at the noted venue The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, N.J. on February 16, 2001. It includes many of Crenshaw's best known songs, four tunes from his most recent studio album, #447, and a pair of vintage covers; Jody Reynolds' "Endless Sleep" and The Left Banke's "Walk Away Renée". The acoustic show was performed by Crenshaw solo but for a few songs accompanied by bass and accordion.
What's In The Bag? is the ninth studio album by singer/songwriter Marshall Crenshaw.