Power in the Darkness | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1978 | |||
Recorded | 1978 | |||
Studio | Wessex Studios, London | |||
Genre | Punk rock, hard rock, new wave | |||
Length | 38:35 (original) 68:52 (2004 reissue) | |||
Label | EMI EMC 3226 | |||
Producer | Chris Thomas, Vic Maile on "2-4-6-8 Motorway" | |||
Tom Robinson Band chronology | ||||
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Power in the Darkness is the debut studio album by English punk band Tom Robinson Band, released in early 1978. The UK LP had ten tracks. It included inside the album cover a stencil similar to the cover art, but with the album title replaced by "Tom Robinson Band"; it held the warning, "This stencil is not meant for spraying on public property!!!" The US release was packaged with a seven-track bonus LP. The record sleeve of the bonus LP included the number to the Gay & Lesbian Switchboard of New York. The 1993 CD re-release included all 17 tracks. Two more tracks were included on a 2004 re-release. After TRB guitarist Danny Kustow's death in 2019, Robinson frequently dedicated "Too Good to Be True" to him.
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [1] |
Christgau's Record Guide | A− [2] |
The Rolling Stone Record Guide | [3] |
Ralph Heibutzki of AllMusic retrospectively raved about Power in the Darkness, calling the record's consistency "remarkable", and quipping, "Think music and politics don't mix? Listen to this album, and then decide." [1]
All tracks composed by Tom Robinson; except where indicated
Side One
Side Two
† These two tracks were included in a digitally remastered, Copy Controlled 2004 re-release. [4]
Chart (1978) | Peak position |
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Australia (Kent Music Report) [5] | 52 |
United Kingdom (Official Charts Company) [6] | 4 |
United States (Billboard 200) | 144 |
The sleeve notes of Power in the Darkness included the founding declaration of the Rock Against Racism movement.
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