Friday Night Is Killing Me is the first album by the American rock band Bash & Pop, released in 1993.[2][3] It was Tommy Stinson's first project after the dissolution of the Replacements.[4] The band supported the album with a North American tour that included dates opening for the Black Crowes.[5]
| Friday Night Is Killing Me | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1993 | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Label | Sire/Reprise[1] | |||
| Producer | Don Smith | |||
| Bash & Pop chronology | ||||
| ||||
Production edit
The album was produced by Don Smith.[6] Stinson was unable to settle on a permanent band lineup, and ended up playing many of the instruments himself; it had already been his intention to switch from bass to guitar.[2][7] Members of the Heartbreakers also contributed to the recording, although Stinson wasn't in the studio during those sessions.[8] The album's last track, "First Steps", was originally demoed for the Replacements' Don't Tell a Soul.[4] Stinson took voice lessons in order to improve his singing on the album; he also asked Paul Westerberg to contribute some backing vocals.[9][10]
Critical reception edit
The Chicago Tribune wrote: "Once past the ersatz Faces riffs, Stinson writes the kind of midtempo heart-wrenchers (the title track, 'Tiny Pieces') and acoustic ballads ('Nothing', 'First Steps') that came a dime a dozen to the Replacements' Paul Westerberg."[14] The Washington Post decided that, "unlike Westerberg, Stinson doesn't show much aptitude for the change-of-pace track."[1] Trouser Press considered that "Stinson can do a credible imitation of Rod Stewart’s lurch and rasp might be enough for a journeyman career, but Friday Night is hardly the adult achievement his alma mater primed him for."[20] The Indianapolis Star thought that "it's something like nuclear fission—when a great band breaks apart, astonishing energy is released."[16] The Lincoln Journal Star noted that the album "avoids the retro feel of the Black Crowes and Izzy Stradlin."[17]
AllMusic wrote that "decades after its release, the album feels like a bit of the hangover from the '80s, a celebration of irreverent roots rock performed with an audible grin."[11] Magnet considered it "the best batch of songs by any Replacement since 1987’s Pleased To Meet Me."[21] The Spin Alternative Record Guide opined that it "got over on sheer bar-band enthusiasm."[22]
Track listing edit
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Never Aim to Please" | 4:09 |
| 2. | "Hang Ups" | 2:42 |
| 3. | "Loose Ends" | 4:09 |
| 4. | "One More Time" | 2:08 |
| 5. | "Tickled to Tears" | 3:37 |
| 6. | "Nothing" | 3:41 |
| 7. | "Fast & Hard" | 3:12 |
| 8. | "Friday Night (Is Killing Me)" | 4:39 |
| 9. | "He Means It" | 3:33 |
| 10. | "Tiny Pieces" | 4:37 |
| 11. | "First Steps" | 4:15 |
References edit
- ^ a b "Bash & Pop: Minneapolis's Rousing Rock-and-Rollers". The Washington Post. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
- ^ a b "Bash & Pop | Biography & History". AllMusic.
- ^ Simmonds, Jeremy (July 29, 2012). The Encyclopedia of Dead Rock Stars: Heroin, Handguns, and Ham Sandwiches. Chicago Review Press – via Google Books.
- ^ a b "Finding a Good Replacement: With His Band Bash & Pop, Tommy Stinson Tones Down Defiance and Aims for Longevity". Los Angeles Times. June 12, 1993.
- ^ Krochak, Gerry (22 Mar 1993). "Rock Beat". Regina Leader-Post. p. C6.
- ^ "Album Reviews". Billboard. Vol. 105, no. 8. Feb 20, 1993. p. 60.
- ^ Thompson, Dave (July 29, 2000). Alternative Rock. Hal Leonard Corporation – via Google Books.
- ^ Bream, Jon (26 Feb 1993). "Sidemen Go Solo: Former 'Mats bassist fronts Bash & Pop". Star Tribune. p. 1E.
- ^ Mehr, Bob (2016). Trouble Boys: The Story of the Replacements. Da Capo Press. p. 403.
- ^ a b Gettelman, Parry (5 Mar 1993). "Bash & Pop". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 8.
- ^ a b "Friday Night Is Killing Me - Bash & Pop | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ McLeese, Don (18 Feb 1993). "Bash & Pop Friday Night Is Killing Me". Onward. Austin American-Statesman. p. 6.
- ^ Muretich, James (7 Mar 1993). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald. p. C2.
- ^ a b Kot, Greg. "Bash & Pop Friday Night Is Killing Me..." Chicago Tribune.
- ^ "Robert Christgau: CG: Bash". www.robertchristgau.com.
- ^ a b Gilbert, Scott (15 Mar 1993). "Bash & Pop 'Friday Night Is Killing Me', Sire/Reprise Records". The Indianapolis Star. p. D3.
- ^ a b Wolgamott, L. Kent (16 Feb 1993). "Tommy Stinson reforms flameout into astonishing band". Entertainment. Lincoln Journal Star. p. 9.
- ^ Tinkham, Chris (2 May 1993). "In Brief". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 58.
- ^ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 936.
- ^ "Bash & Pop". Trouser Press. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
- ^ "Essential New Music: Bash & Pop's "Friday Night Is Killing Me"". Magnet. November 21, 2017.
- ^ Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. 1995. p. 331.