Semi Detached (Blancmange album)

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Semi Detached
Blancmange Semi Detached 2015 Album Cover.jpg
Studio album by
Blancmange
Released23 March 2015 [1]
Length46:32
Label Cherry Red Records
Producer Neil Arthur
Blancmange chronology
Happy Families Too...
(2013)		Semi Detached
(2015)		 Nil by Mouth
(2015)

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. [1] Neil Arthur commenced writing material for the album in 2013-14, with recording taking place during 2014. [2] The album reached No. 22 in the UK Independent Albums Chart. [3]

Contents

"Paddington" was released as the album's first single on 9 March 2015. A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by Tone Davies. [4] The second single, "Useless", was released on 15 May, [5] followed by "I Want More", released on 18 April as a limited edition 12" single for Record Store Day. [6] [7]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [8]
The Arts Desk Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [9]
Louder Than War Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [10]
Mojo Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [11]
MusicOMH Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [12]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [11]
Record Collector Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [13]
Uncut Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [11]

Upon release, David Jeffries of AllMusic considered the album to be a "very dark Blancmange album when compared to all the others, and quite emotionally heavy as well". He added: "Semi Detached is sincere in its distrust, distaste, and ire, and the album winds up a worthy companion for bad days or chucking it all." [8] Paul Scott-Bates of Louder Than War commented: "Arthur's Northern quirk is present throughout Semi Detached though the overall feel is darker. [It] is a modern day riposte to the Blancmange of the 80s. Still catchy, still infectious but now all grown up." [10]

Mark Elliott of Record Collector commented: "Semi Detached is a darker, icier project than any Blancmange have previously served up. A long distance from their frothier 80s form, it’s a set that shows Neil Arthur is more than capable of keeping this band on our radar for some time yet." [13] Graeme Marsh of MusicOMH wrote: "if you fancy a slightly off centre alternative to the mass appeal of more prominent electronic bands, despite a few wobbly bits here and there, then you won't go far wrong with giving this latest collection a chance." [12]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Fall" Neil Arthur, Graham Henderson8:08
2."I Want More" Michael Karoli, Irmin Schmidt, Holger Czukay, Jaki Liebezeit, Peter Gilmour3:57
3."Paddington"Arthur3:56
4."It Didn't Take Long"Arthur4:24
5."MKS Lover"Arthur4:17
6."Like I Do"Arthur3:34
7."Deep in the Mine"Arthur4:43
8."Acid"Arthur4:23
9."Useless"Arthur3:27
10."Bloody Hell Fire"Arthur5:48
Deluxe edition - disc two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."I Want Your Love" (Extended Version) Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers 6:43
2."Silk Sea"Arthur3:29
3."That Worm"Arthur5:12
4."Paddington" (Extended Version) 5:36
5."I Want More" (Extended Version) 7:15
6."Like I Do" (Extended Version) 4:50
7."Useless" (Extended Version) 4:36
8."Paddington" (Alternative Edit) 4:04
9."I Want Your Love" 5:16

Chart performance

Chart (2015)Peak
position
UK Independent Albums Chart [3] 22

Personnel

Production
Other

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References

  1. 1 2 "Semi Detached (Deluxe 2CD Edition)". Blancmange.co.uk. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  2. ↑ "News | INTERVIEW: Blancmange". The Quietus. 6 February 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  3. 1 2 "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50 | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  4. ↑ "Video exclusive – Blancmange lay Paddington bare in new video - Classic Pop Magazine". Classicpopmag.com. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  5. ↑ "Useless - Single by Blancmange on Apple Music". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  6. ↑ "'I Want More' 12 inch for Record Store Day". Blancmange. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  7. ↑ "Blancmange - I Want More (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 18 April 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  8. 1 2 David Jeffries (31 March 2015). "Semi Detached - Blancmange | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  9. ↑ "CD: Blancmange – Semi Detached". Theartsdesk.com. 18 March 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  10. 1 2 "Blancmange: Semi Detached - album review". Louder Than War. 13 March 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  11. 1 2 3 "Semi Detached by Blancmange Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. 23 March 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  12. 1 2 "Blancmange - Semi Detached | Album Reviews". Musicomh.com. 19 March 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  13. 1 2 "Semi Detached - Record Collector Magazine". Recordcollectormag.com. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
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