Freakshow (BulletBoys album)

Freakshow is the second album by American rock band BulletBoys.[8][9] It was released in 1991 by Warner Bros. Records.[10] It is the follow-up to their successful self-titled debut.

Freakshow
Studio album by
ReleasedMarch 12, 1991
Recorded1991
GenreHard rock, glam metal
LabelWarner Bros.
ProducerTed Templeman[1]
BulletBoys chronology
BulletBoys
(1988)
Freakshow
(1991)
Za-Za
(1993)
Singles from Freakshow
  1. "THC Groove"
    Released: 1991
  2. "Hang On St. Christopher"
    Released: 1991
  3. "Talk to Your Daughter"
    Released: 1991
Alternative cover
The cover sleeve seen on different releases
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Chicago Tribune[3]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[4]
Entertainment WeeklyC+[5]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide[6]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[7]

The album peaked at Number 69 on the Billboard 200.[11] Their cover of Tom Waits's "Hang On St. Christopher" reached 22 on the Mainstream Rock chart.[citation needed] Videos were made for "THC Groove", "Hang On St. Christopher", and "Talk to Your Daughter".

In 2005, Wounded Bird Records re-released the album along with the follow-up, Za-Za, on a single disc.[12]

Critical reception edit

Entertainment Weekly thought that "the problem is that all [the band's] charm has no foundation to stand on; there are no hooks or memorable melodies here."[5] The Chicago Tribune wrote: "Their cover of Tom Waits' 'Hang On St. Christopher' might make a few cringe-but then again, why would a Waits fan be listening to these guys?"[3]

Track listing edit

All tracks are written by the BulletBoys, unless otherwise noted

No.TitleLength
1."Hell Yeah!"3:24
2."THC Groove"3:42
3."Thrill That Kills"3:10
4."Hang On St. Christopher" (Tom Waits cover)3:56
5."Talk To Your Daughter" (J.B. Lenoir cover)3:35
6."Freakshow"4:28
7."Goodgirl"3:27
8."Do Me Raw"3:11
9."Ripping Me"2:56
10."Say Your Prayers"3:15
11."O Me O My"3:00
12."Huge"3:05

Additional track listings edit

Some versions have a very different track listing, which reads as follows:

Additional versions
No.TitleLength
1."Hang On St. Christopher" (Tom Waits cover)3:56
2."Do Me Raw"3:11
3."Thrill That Kills"3:10
4."Ripping Me"2:56
5."Say Your Prayers"3:15
6."Hell Yeah!"3:24
7."THC Groove"3:42
8."O Me O My"3:00
9."Freakshow"4:28
10."Huge"3:05
11."Goodgirl"3:27
12."Talk To Your Daughter" (J.B. Lenoir cover)3:35

Singles edit

Promotional singles and videos were released for the songs "THC Groove", "Hang On St. Christopher", and "Talk To Your Daughter". Their cover of Tom Waits' "Hang On St. Christopher" would go on to peak at Number 22 on the US Mainstream Rock Chart in 1991.

Personnel edit

Band members
  • Marq Torien: Lead Vocals
  • Mick Sweda: Guitar
  • Lonnie Vencent: Bass
  • Jimmy D'Anda: Drums
  • Bobby LaKind: Congas on "Hang On St. Christopher"
  • Art Direction and Design: Kim Champagne
  • Cover Painting: David B. McMacken

References edit

  1. ^ "BULLETBOYS' LATEST ALBUM REFLECTS THE IDEA THAT LIFE IS A FREAK SHOW". Greensboro News and Record. September 26, 1991.
  2. ^ Freakshow at AllMusic
  3. ^ a b Herrmann, Brenda (April 11, 1991). "BulletBoysFreakshow (Warner)(STAR)(STAR)(STAR)L.A.'s BulletBoys are just so much..." chicagotribune.com.
  4. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 2. MUZE. p. 55.
  5. ^ a b "Freakshow". EW.com.
  6. ^ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 174.
  7. ^ The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 96.
  8. ^ LOUNGES, TOM (April 5, 1991). "Rock bands roll into LaPorte for Thursday show. Bulletboys". nwitimes.com.
  9. ^ Phillips, William; Cogan, Brian (March 20, 2009). Encyclopedia of Heavy Metal Music. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-0-313-34801-3 – via Google Books.
  10. ^ "Bulletboys | Biography & History". AllMusic.
  11. ^ "Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard.
  12. ^ "Freakshow/Za-Za - Bulletboys | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.