Andromeda Heights is the sixth studio album by the English pop group Prefab Sprout. It was released by Kitchenware Records on 2 May 1997. It peaked at number 7 in the UK Albums Chart.[2] "A Prisoner of the Past" and "Electric Guitars" were also released as singles, peaking at number 30 and number 53, respectively, in the UK Singles Chart.[2]
| Andromeda Heights | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 2 May 1997 | |||
| Genre | Pop | |||
| Length | 47:02 | |||
| Label | Kitchenware | |||
| Producer | Paddy McAloon | |||
| Prefab Sprout chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Andromeda Heights | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
The high-tech recording studio that Paddy McAloon built for himself at his home in County Durham is also called Andromeda heights.[3]
Critical reception edit
Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic stated that "the album doesn't quite fulfill the hopes of the group's fervent followers."[1] He added, "Andromeda Heights is a solid Prefab Sprout record, filled with elegant melodies, wry lyrics and immaculate production, but after seven years, that nevertheless ranks as a disappointment."[1]
Track listing edit
All tracks are written by Paddy McAloon
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Electric Guitars" | 3:41 |
| 2. | "A Prisoner of the Past" | 5:01 |
| 3. | "The Mystery of Love" | 4:37 |
| 4. | "Life's a Miracle" | 3:44 |
| 5. | "Anne Marie" | 4:35 |
| 6. | "Whoever You Are" | 2:47 |
| 7. | "Steal Your Thunder" | 3:41 |
| 8. | "Avenue of Stars" | 3:59 |
| 9. | "Swans" | 2:36 |
| 10. | "The Fifth Horseman" | 4:42 |
| 11. | "Weightless" | 3:36 |
| 12. | "Andromeda Heights" | 4:03 |
| Total length: | 47:02 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 13. | "Just Because I Can" | 3:52 |
| Total length: | 51:04 | |
Personnel edit
Credits adapted from liner notes.
Musicians
(billed as "The Andromeda Heights Orchestra")
- Paddy McAloon – vocals, piano, keyboards, programming, "fake mandolin" & acoustic guitar (on "A Prisoner of the Past")
- Wendy Smith – vocals
- Martin McAloon – bass guitar, fretless bass guitar
- David Brewis – guitars, "fake mandolin" & acoustic guitar (on "A Prisoner of the Past")
- Paul Smith – percussion
- Tommy Smith – tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute
- Frazer Spiers – harmonica
- Jim Hornsby – "fake mandolin" & acoustic guitar (on "A Prisoner of the Past")
- Martin Taylor – lead guitar (on "Anne Marie"), rhythm guitar (on "Andromeda Heights")
- Calum Malcolm – piano, keyboards, programming; Hammond organ (on "The Fifth Horseman")
- Alan Clark – Hammond organ (on "The Mystery of Love")
Technical personnel
- Paddy McAloon – production
- Calum Malcolm – recording, mixing
- Stylorouge – sleeve design
- Stuart Douglas – sleeve photography
- Anne Magill – cover painting
Charts edit
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Albums (OCC)[2] | 7 |
References edit
- ^ a b c Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Andromeda Heights - Prefab Sprout". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
- ^ a b c "Prefab Sprout". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
- ^ O’Connell, Alex (6 June 2003). "Beyond the darkness". The Times. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
External links edit
- Andromeda Heights at Discogs (list of releases)
- Andromeda Heights at MusicBrainz (list of releases)