| Ursa Major | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1994 | |||
| Recorded | 1994 | |||
| Studio | Idful, Chicago, Illinois | |||
| Label | Atavistic | |||
| Producer | Brad Wood, John McEntire | |||
| Eleventh Dream Day chronology | ||||
| ||||
Ursa Major is an album by the American band Eleventh Dream Day. [1] [2] Released in 1994, it was the band's first album for Atavistic Records. [3] [4] The band supported the album with shows in the Chicago area. [5] "Orange Moon" was released as a single. [6]
Originally planned as an EP, the album was produced by Brad Wood and John McEntire. [5] [3] It was recorded at Chicago's Idful Studios in March 1994. [4] Bundy K. Brown and McEntire played on Ursa Major. [7] Guitarist "Wink" O'Bannon left the band after the recording sessions. [8] Opening track "History of Brokeback" is an instrumental. [5]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [9] |
| Chicago Tribune | [10] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [11] |
| MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide | [12] |
| (The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide | [13] |
Trouser Press determined that the album "suffers greatly from a deliberate lack of pop songcraft, though it delivers on a series of textured, slowly unfolding axe workouts." [14] The Chicago Tribune concluded that "this is music of sweeping atmosphere and drama, and also crushing delicacy, an extended meditation on love, commerce and betrayal"; the paper later listed it as the ninth best album of 1994. [10] [15] The Northwest Herald wrote that "Doug McComb's silky bass has become so integral to EDD's sound that it seems like a lead guitar." [16] The Courier Journal praised the "certain level of dark intensity." [6]
AllMusic considered the album "loaded with supple, pretty melodies and intense, rampaging guitars." [9] (The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide noted the "strong, unhurried rhythm section and clear melodic patterns on guitar." [13]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "History of Brokeback" | |
| 2. | "Occupation or Not" | |
| 3. | "Flutter" | |
| 4. | "Orange Moon" | |
| 5. | "Taking Leave" | |
| 6. | "Bearish on High" | |
| 7. | "Nova Zembla" | |
| 8. | "The Blindside" | |
| 9. | "Exit Right" |
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