Nil by Mouth | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 25 September 2015 [1] | |||
Length | 45:23 | |||
Label | Blanc Check Records | |||
Producer | Neil Arthur | |||
Blancmange chronology | ||||
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Nil by Mouth is the seventh studio album by English band Blancmange, released in 2015. The album is made up of instrumental tracks, including a 2005 re-recording of "Holiday Camp", a Blancmange track from the 1980 EP Irene & Mavis. [1]
Nil by Mouth was originally made available at Blancmange's two concerts at the Red Gallery, London, on 15 and 16 May. [2] The album was later given a full release digitally and on CD in September. [1]
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
The Arts Desk | [3] |
MusicOMH | [4] |
Record Collector | [5] |
Upon release, Andy Jex of MusicOMH wrote: "Nil by Mouth is a reminder of where Blancmange originally came from; very much born of the DIY improvisation of the kitchen sink recording that typified their earlier years. This is stripped-down, bare bones Blancmange with music evoking films never written, scenes never soundtracked and popcorn never eaten." [4] Caspar Gomez of The Arts Desk stated: "The results are more entertaining and gripping than Blancmange's last "proper" album. It's not essential fare, but it does put a smile on the face." [3] Mark Elliott of Record Collector concluded: "Nil by Mouth offers no suggestion that Blancmange will be heading out on the revival circuit anytime soon." [5]
All tracks are written by Neil Arthur, except "Holiday Camp (2005)" written by Arthur and Stephen Luscombe.
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Eleanor" | 3:33 |
2. | "Fall" | 5:58 |
3. | "R and P" | 3:11 |
4. | "Cistern" | 3:24 |
5. | "Gone" | 3:17 |
6. | "Crystals of Zircon" | 4:01 |
7. | "The Son" | 4:06 |
8. | "Matters of Life" | 2:03 |
9. | "Holiday Camp (2005)" | 3:27 |
10. | "Landsea" | 2:53 |
11. | "So Long Ago" | 5:56 |
12. | "Close Encounters" | 3:39 |
Blancmange are an English synth-pop band formed in Harrow, London, in 1979. The band were a duo for much of their career, composed of Neil Arthur (vocals) and Stephen Luscombe (keyboards). They came to prominence in the early 1980s, releasing four UK top-20 singles: "Living on the Ceiling", "Waves", "Blind Vision" and "Don't Tell Me". They released three albums during that decade: Happy Families (1982), Mange Tout (1984) and Believe You Me (1985).
Second Helpings is a compilation album by the British synthpop band Blancmange. It contains most of the band's singles from the period 1982-85, as well as a previously unreleased track.
Believe You Me (1985) is the third studio album by Blancmange, released by London Records in 1985. A remastered edition was released by Edsel in 2008 which featured the album along with 4 bonus tracks.
Mange Tout is the second studio album by English synth-pop duo Blancmange, released in May 1984 by London Records. It was Blancmange's most successful album, peaking at number eight on the UK Albums Chart and was certified Gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) on 25 January 1985 for sales in excess of 100,000 copies. The album contained four UK top-40 singles, two of which reached the top 10. The fourth single to be released and final track on the album is a cover version of ABBA's song "The Day Before You Came".
Happy Families is the debut studio album by English synth-pop band Blancmange, released on 24 September 1982 by London Records. It peaked at No. 30 on the UK Albums Chart, aided by the success of the album's third single, "Living on the Ceiling", released the following month, which became Blancmange's breakthrough hit, reaching No. 7 in the UK Singles Chart. A re-recorded version of the album, titled Happy Families Too..., was released in 2013.
Suitcase (1994) is the debut solo album by Neil Arthur.
Blanc Burn is the fourth studio album by English synth-pop duo Blancmange, released on 7 March 2011 by Proper Records. It was Blancmange's first album of new material in a quarter of a century, following 1985's Believe You Me.
The Very Best Of Blancmange (2012) is a double CD compilation of Blancmange singles, album and non-album tracks, and remixes from their first three albums. It contains one new track, "Making Aeroplanes ".
Unfurnished Rooms is the ninth studio album by English band Blancmange, released in 2017. It was produced by Neil Arthur and Benge, and reached No. 40 on the UK Independent Albums Chart.
"What's Your Problem" is a song by English synthpop duo Blancmange, which was released in 1985 as the lead single from their third studio album Believe You Me. It was written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe, and produced by Stewart Levine. "What's Your Problem" reached No. 40 in the UK and No. 30 in Ireland. A music video was filmed to promote the single, which received heavy action play on the European music TV channel Music Box.
"I Can See It" is a song by English synthpop duo Blancmange which was released in 1986 as a non-album single. The song is a re-recorded version of "Why Don't They Leave Things Alone?", which appeared on the duo's third studio album Believe You Me (1985). It was written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe, and produced by Greg Walsh. "I Can See It" reached number 71 in the UK Singles Chart and remains the duo's last appearance in the chart. Shortly after the single's release, Blancmange decided to disband.
"Feel Me" is a song by English synth-pop duo Blancmange, released in 1982 as the second single from their debut studio album Happy Families. It was written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe, and produced by Mike Howlett. "Feel Me" reached No. 46 in the UK and remained on the charts for five weeks.
"Waves" is a song by British synth-pop duo Blancmange, released in 1983 as the fourth and final single from their debut studio album Happy Families. Written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe, and produced by Mike Howlett, "Waves" reached No. 19 in the UK and remained in the charts for nine weeks.
"Don't Tell Me" is a song by British synth-pop duo Blancmange, released in 1984 as the third single from their second studio album Mange Tout. Written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe, and produced by Peter Collins, "Don't Tell Me" reached No. 8 in the UK and remained in the charts for ten weeks. A music video was filmed in Valencia to promote the single.
"Blind Vision" is a song by British synth-pop band Blancmange, released in 1983 as the lead single from their second studio album Mange Tout. Written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe, and produced by John Luongo, "Blind Vision" reached No. 10 in the UK and remained in the charts for eight weeks. A music video was filmed to promote the single, which received light rotation on MTV.
Wanderlust is the tenth studio album by British synth-pop band Blancmange, released in 2018. It was produced by Neil Arthur and Benge, and reached No. 22 on the UK Independent Albums Chart. The single "Not a Priority" features Hannah Peel on backing vocals.
Commuter 23 is the eighth studio album by British Synth-pop band Blancmange, released in 2016. The album reached No. 38 in the UK Independent Albums Chart.
Semi Detached is the sixth studio album by British Synth-pop band Blancmange, released in 2015. The album was the first to be created without the involvement of original member Stephen Luscombe due to his health problems. Neil Arthur commenced writing material for the album in 2013-14, with recording taking place during 2014. The album reached No. 22 in the UK Independent Albums Chart.
Happy Families Too... is the fifth studio album by English band Blancmange. A re-recording of the band's 1982 debut album Happy Families, the album was originally made available at Blancmange concerts in November 2013, before receiving a wider release via Cherry Red in April 2014.
"God's Kitchen" is a song by English synthpop duo Blancmange, released in 1982 as a double A-side with "I've Seen the Word". It was the lead single from the duo's debut studio album Happy Families. "God's Kitchen" and "I've Seen the Word" was written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe, and produced by Mike Howlett. The single reached No. 65 in the UK and remained on the charts for two weeks.