Rattlesnakes | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 12 October 1984 | |||
Recorded | 1984 | |||
Studio | The Garden, London | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 35:29 | |||
Label | Polydor (UK and Europe) Geffen (US and Canada) | |||
Producer | Paul Hardiman | |||
Lloyd Cole and the Commotions chronology | ||||
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Singles from Rattlesnakes | ||||
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Rattlesnakes is the debut studio album by the British rock and pop band Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, released on 12 October 1984 by Polydor Records. [3] The album reached number 13 on the UK Albums Chart and included the singles "Perfect Skin" (number 26 in UK), "Forest Fire" (number 41 in UK, number 25 in New Zealand) and "Rattlesnakes" (number 65 in UK, number 31 in the Netherlands).
"If I hadn't listened to 'Subterranean Homesick Blues' I could never have written 'Perfect Skin'. I was totally drunk on [Bob] Dylan at the time I wrote that song and all the imagery is deliberately Dylanesque. I thought, 'why not be blatant?' The only difference is, Dylan would have written a song like 'Perfect Skin' in an hour. It took me a week!"
—Lloyd Cole on his debut single, August 1984 [4]
The bulk of the album was written by frontman Lloyd Cole, who formed the band while a student at the University of Glasgow. Cole cited Bob Dylan and Booker T. & the M.G.'s as major influences, but also noted the impact of his studies in English and philosophy on both the album's title, a reference to the novel Play It as It Lays (1970) by Joan Didion, and its lyrics, which also reference Renata Adler, Simone de Beauvoir and Norman Mailer. [5]
The album's songs were written at Glasgow Golf Club, where Cole's father worked as club master and where the family lived. [6] Cole recalled, " 'Perfect Skin' and 'Forest Fire' were written one weekend in the basement, underneath the golf club where we used to live and my parents used to work. We'd got our publishing deal so we bought a Portastudio, a [Yamaha] DX7 and a drum machine. I demo-ed both of them that weekend and we had a record deal within a month of that; it was that quick. Every single song on Rattlesnakes was written within a year of the record coming out." [7]
Cole described the songs on Rattlesnakes as "about the things people do when they are in love. People get in all sorts of weird scenarios and I quite like the idea of that. I write about that more than anything. Sometimes it is comic, sometimes tragic, sometimes funny and tragic at the same time. After years of trying to deny it, I'm also starting to realise that I basically write about myself." [8] He later reflected, "It's like most of [the characters in the songs] live in that same basement flat. It's very romanticised." [9] After the Commotions broke up, he later stated to being embarrassed by some of his lyrics on Rattlesnakes: "'She looks like Eve Marie Saint [sic]/In On the Waterfront'. Yes, some of the earlier lyrics were very naive. But I was a young man! I really was. You can just imagine me trying to wear a French trenchcoat at the time, thinking I looked very cool when, in fact, I looked really stupid. But maybe that's why people liked it." [10]
The track "Speedboat" was inspired by the 1976 novel of the same name by Renata Adler. In the book the narrator is startled when a rat runs across the table in the restaurant where she and her partner are dining, and her partner says, 'You were all right there until you lost your cool": Cole said that he stole the line and included it in the song because he loved the phrase. [11] Cole stated that "Down on Mission Street" is "about a character who says he'll never look back and will step all over other people". [12] The character in "Charlotte Street" is "based very closely on me. My idea of romance obviously is meeting a wonderful, beautiful girl in the library. I wrote that song and it took me a year to realise that I hadn't actually mentioned that it was set in a library. I forgot to put that in, which is a bit stupid really." [13] Of the album's closing track "Are You Ready to be Heartbroken?", he said, "It's about being so in love there's only one way to go – if you get so happy then you're ready to be heartbroken". [14]
The album was recorded during the British summer of 1984 at The Garden studios in Shoreditch in east London (built and owned by original Ultravox frontman John Foxx), with Paul Hardiman producing. All the band members remembered the recording of Rattlesnakes as a very easy and relaxed process: bassist Lawrence Donegan later said, "Every day we'd arrive at the studio, lay down a few backing tracks, nip along to Brick Lane for a curry and some pints, then head back and record some more. The album was finished in a month. Happy days indeed." [15] Guitarist Neil Clark added, "It was great... Paul Hardiman was great to work with and the weather was great. We just went in and did our stuff. It was like the best job ever at the time. We'd start at 10 am and finish at 6 pm, though I did the 'Forest Fire' solo late one night but that was an exception. We were well organised and we'd played the songs in." [16]
The album cover is a picture by photographer Robert Farber which was chosen by design company Da Gama from a selection of stock photographs.
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [2] |
Mojo | [17] |
Number One | 5/5 [18] |
Q | [19] |
Record Mirror | [20] |
Rolling Stone | [21] |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [22] |
Sounds | [23] |
Uncut | [24] |
The Village Voice | B+ [25] |
The reception for the UK music magazines at the time of the album's release was generally very positive. Sounds stated, "Rattlesnakes is a wonderful LP, the most refreshing, uncontrived gorgeous lump of gold to be mined from Scotland in ages, pursuing the alternately vibrant and tender pop courses discovered by 'Perfect Skin' and the classic 'Forest Fire'. And it still finds time for excursions into Dylanesque string-embellished balladry, age-old blues licks or eloquent country melody, all led on by the infinitely capable guitar of Neil Clarke (sic)." [23] Record Mirror felt that they could "forgive Lloyd Cole his pretentions towards poetry; his band and he have made one of the best debut albums for a long time". [20] NME ranked it number 21 among the "Albums of the Year" for 1984 [26] and said, "Is there anyone who doesn't like Cole and his cronies, who have made the Velvets do a part C&W album and part deep-south blues-funk – gentle, self-mocking, inoffensive and superbly balanced. Every song is instantly memorable." [27]
Melody Maker was somewhat more critical, believing that "like Orange Juice's Texas Fever and ABC's The Lexicon of Love , Rattlesnakes is an album of cynicism masquerading as romance. It's about past pop's legacy to the present, rather than love or hate or any of the emotions it feigns. It's about how modes of expression haven't moved on one iota from early Bob Dylan, how a generation bereft of its own voice falls back on playing with the language of its peers." However, the review went on to state that the album had much to commend it and admitted that it "had been too hard here on purpose because this record's good enough to stand it. Compared to most else around, it's a gem but Rattlesnakes cried out to shed some of that perfect skin. Then, maybe, we'd believe as well as admire." [28]
In the US the reviews were also favourable. Spin claimed that "Lloyd Cole and the Commotions are the most interesting new band since Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers, and Rattlesnakes is a brilliant first album... This is the first album I've heard of late that rejects the techno-pop banality we've been drowning in without being overly self-conscious in its minimalism or wearing a chip on its shoulder." [29] Rolling Stone felt "too much of Rattlesnakes [...] sounds like Lou Reed, Tom Verlaine and Bob Dylan doing the best of Lloyd Cole... But if Rattlesnakes arrives critically short of the greatness claimed for it in the British rock press, its promise is not so easily dismissed... A few more songs like ["Perfect Skin"] and the man really could start a commotion." [21]
Reviewing the 2004 reissue, Mojo hailed Rattlesnakes as "a timeless pop album". [17] Q was less enthusiastic, observing that "the results were, and remain, equal parts irritating and beguiling". [19] Calling the record "one of the finest debuts of the '80s", AllMusic stated that "Rattlesnakes is a college rock masterpiece of smart, ironic lyrics and sympathetic folk-rock-based melodies". [2]
All lyrics by Lloyd Cole, all music composed by Cole except where noted.
Side one
Side two
On the North American version of the album, released on Geffen Records, the tracks "Perfect Skin", "Four Flights Up" and "Patience" were remixed by Ric Ocasek of new wave band the Cars.
The album was first released on CD in April 1985, six months after the LP/cassette. The CD included four additional songs, all of which had been B-sides to the singles.
The CD also included the extended version of "Forest Fire", which had appeared on the 12" version of the single. At 5:11 it is almost 40 seconds longer than both the 7" single and original album versions. The Deluxe Edition released in 2004 reverted to the shorter version.
In 2004, the band reformed for a brief reunion tour of the UK and Ireland to commemorate the album's 20th anniversary. [5] At the same time, a 2-CD deluxe edition of the album was released on Universal International and Capitol Records in North America. It comprised the ten original album tracks on the first disc, and the four tracks from the CD version and 14 additional tracks, including demos, concert and radio performances, on the second disc. The extended version of "Forest Fire" was not included on this edition.
The album was remastered by Gary Moore from the original master tapes where possible. The CD booklet included comments from Cole and the rest of the band on the various tracks. The BBC tracks were included on the album Live at the BBC Volume 1 released in 2007.
Disc one: As original LP/cassette version of album.
Disc two:
Demos
Live
Radio Sessions
B-sides/out takes
Lloyd Cole and the Commotions
Production
Artwork
Chart (1984–1985) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report) [31] | 28 |
Canada Top Albums/CDs ( RPM ) [32] | 68 |
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [33] | 17 |
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) [34] | 13 |
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) [35] | 25 |
UK Albums (OCC) [36] | 13 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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United Kingdom (BPI) [37] | Gold | 100,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Region | Date | Label | Format | Catalog |
---|---|---|---|---|
United Kingdom | 12 October 1984 | Polydor | LP | LCLP 1 |
cassette | LCMC 1 | |||
Europe | LP | 823 683-1 | ||
cassette | 823 683-4 | |||
United States | 1984 | Geffen | LP | GHS 24064 |
Canada | XGHS 24064 | |||
Europe | April 1985 | Polydor | CD | 823 683-2 |
United States | 25 October 1990 | Capitol | CDP 7 91182 2 | |
United Kingdom and Europe | 4 October 2004 | Polydor | 2-CD Deluxe Edition | 9821820 |
Lloyd Cole is an English singer, songwriter and musician. He was lead vocalist of Lloyd Cole and the Commotions from 1984 to 1989 and subsequently worked solo.
Lloyd Cole and the Commotions were a British rock and pop band that formed in Glasgow, Scotland in 1982. Between 1984 and 1989, the band scored four Top 20 albums and five Top 40 singles in the UK; it also had success in several other countries including Australia, the Netherlands, Sweden and New Zealand. After they broke up in 1989, Cole embarked on a solo career but the band reformed briefly in 2004 to perform a 20th anniversary mini-tour of the UK and Ireland.
Neil Clark is a Scottish guitarist, known for his work with Lloyd Cole and the Commotions. He has regularly worked and toured with Lloyd Cole post-Commotions including playing on and touring in support of Cole's 2006 album, Antidepressant. He also worked on Cole's albums Bad Vibes, Love Story, Etc, Music in a Foreign Language, and Guesswork. Clark was a member of Bloomsday with Stephen Irvine of the Commotions and Chris Thomson of The Bathers. Clark features on the Bathers' 1993 album, Lagoon Blues. He collaborated with Canadian singer Mae Moore on her album Dragonfly - his guitar playing featured on her single "Genuine", which reached No. 6 on the RPM "Top 100" singles chart in Canada. In 1995 and 1998 he worked on two albums with French singer Axelle Renoir.
Easy Pieces is the second studio album by the British rock and pop band Lloyd Cole and the Commotions. It was released on Polydor Records in the UK on 18 November 1985 and included the hit singles "Brand New Friend", "Lost Weekend" and "Cut Me Down". The title of the album derives from the American drama film Five Easy Pieces (1970), which Cole described as "one of my very favourite films", saying, "I want to write at least five songs out of that film".
"Perfect Skin" is a song by the British rock and pop band Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, released in 1984 as the debut single from their debut studio album Rattlesnakes. The song was written by Lloyd Cole and produced by Paul Hardiman. It peaked at number 26 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for ten weeks.
Mainstream is the third and final studio album by Lloyd Cole and the Commotions. It was produced by Ian Stanley and released by Polydor Records in the UK and by Capitol Records in the US on 26 October 1987. It included the singles "My Bag", "Jennifer She Said" and "From the Hip". Although the album reached number nine in the UK, it failed to chart in the US and was not embraced by all critics: Mainstream is the only Lloyd Cole and the Commotions album not to sell at least 100,000 copies in the US.
Lloyd Cole, also known as The X Album, is the debut solo album by English singer, songwriter and musician Lloyd Cole released on 21 February 1990 by Polydor and Capitol. Previously Cole was best known for his work with The Commotions but this album marked a departure from their signature sound and an opportunity for him to collaborate with other musicians and explore new ideas.
Don't Get Weird on Me Babe is the second solo album by the English musician Lloyd Cole, released in 1991. The title comes from a Raymond Carver expression. Unlike the original release, the American version of the album leads with the "rock" half and ends with the orchestral songs.
"No Blue Skies" is the debut solo single by English singer, songwriter and musician Lloyd Cole, released in 1990 from his self-titled studio album. The song was written by Cole and produced by Cole, Fred Maher and Paul Hardiman. It peaked at number 42 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for four weeks. Cole has described "No Blue Skies" as "very simple" and a "girl leaves boy or boy leave girl" song.
"Downtown" is a song by English singer, songwriter and musician Lloyd Cole, released in 1990 as the third and final single from his self-titled studio album. The song was written by Cole and Blair Cowan, and produced by Cole, Fred Maher and Paul Hardiman. It failed to enter the UK Singles Chart but reached number 5 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. The song was included in the soundtrack of the 1990 American psychological thriller film Bad Influence.
"Like Lovers Do" is a song by English singer, songwriter and musician Lloyd Cole, released in 1995 as the lead single from his fourth studio album Love Story. The song was written by Cole and produced by Stephen Street and Cole. As Cole's only UK top 40 solo hit single to date, "Like Lovers Do" peaked at number 24 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 75 for three weeks.
"So You'd Like to Save the World" is a song by English singer, songwriter and musician Lloyd Cole, released in 1993 as the lead single from his third studio album Bad Vibes. The song was written by Cole and produced by Adam Peters. It peaked at number 72 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 75 for two weeks.
"Lost Weekend" is a song by the British pop and rock band Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, released in 1985 as the second single from their second studio album Easy Pieces. The song was written by band members Neil Clark, Lloyd Cole and Lawrence Donegan, and produced by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley. It peaked at number 17 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 75 for seven weeks.
"From the Hip" is a song by British band Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, released in 1988 as an extended play from their third and final studio album Mainstream (1987). The song was written by the band and produced by Ian Stanley. It peaked at number 59 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 75 for two weeks.
"Forest Fire" is a song by British band Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, released in 1984 as the second single from their debut studio album Rattlesnakes. The song was written by Lloyd Cole and produced by Paul Hardiman. It peaked at number 41 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 75 for six weeks.
"Jennifer She Said" is a song by British band Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, released in 1987 as the second single from their third and final studio album Mainstream (1987). The song was written by the band and produced by Ian Stanley. It peaked at number 31 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 75 for five weeks.
"My Bag" is a song by British band Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, released in 1987 as the lead single from their third and final studio album Mainstream (1987). The song was written by the band and produced by Ian Stanley. It peaked at number 46 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 75 for three weeks.
"Cut Me Down" is a song by the British rock and pop band Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, released in 1986 as the third single from their second studio album Easy Pieces. The song was written by Lloyd Cole and produced by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley. It peaked at number 38 on the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 75 for four weeks.
"Rattlesnakes" is a song by British band Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, released in 1984 as the third and final single from their debut studio album of the same name. The song was written by Lloyd Cole and produced by Paul Hardiman. It peaked at number 65 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for three weeks.
"Brand New Friend" is a song by British band Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, released in 1985 as the lead single from their second studio album Easy Pieces. The song was written by band members Lloyd Cole and Blair Cowan, and produced by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley. It peaked at number 19 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for nine weeks.