Beatsongs is an album by the English band the Blue Aeroplanes, released in 1991.[2][3] Its B-sides were collected on Friendloverplane 2.[4]
| Beatsongs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1991 | |||
| Recorded | February 1991 | |||
| Studio | Sunset Sound Recorders, Ocean Way Recording | |||
| Genre | Alternative rock, electric folk | |||
| Label | Ensign/Chrysalis[1] | |||
| Producer | Larry Hirsch | |||
| The Blue Aeroplanes chronology | ||||
| ||||
The album peaked at No. 33 on the UK Albums Chart.[5]
Production edit
Recorded at Sunset Sound Recorders and Ocean Way Recording in February 1991, the album was produced by Larry Hirsch.[6][7] "The Boy in the Bubble" is a cover of the Paul Simon song.[8] Guitar player Rodney Allen sang lead vocal on two tracks.[9] Many guest musicians contributed to Beatsongs.[10]
Critical reception edit
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [9] |
| Calgary Herald | B[11] |
| Chicago Tribune |  [12] |
| Record Collector | [6] |
The Boston Globe wrote: "Intense and dreamy, acoustic and electric, Beatsongs is yet another fine effort from a fringe 'alternative' band, one that deserves a major push and breakthrough"; the paper later listed Beatsongs as one of the best albums of 1991.[13][14] The Chicago Tribune determined that "it's electric folk with a vaguely psychedelic underpinning—think of 'Eight Miles High'-era Byrds, early Fairport Convention or the Velvet Underground's third album."[12]
The Calgary Herald deemed the album "a trip ripe with poetic lyrics that whisper and implore, with glistening pop-rock jewels, brooding tunes that untie the knot of anxiety, acoustic/electric guitars that soar eight miles high, the sound of the '60s, of now, of forever."[11] The Times praised the "vivid melodic framework and ... wondrous tonal lustre" of the guitars.[15] The Daily Breeze considered Beatsongs to be the seventh best rock album of 1991.[16]
Track listing edit
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Huh!" | |
| 2. | "Yr Own World" | |
| 3. | "Angelwords" | |
| 4. | "Fun" | |
| 5. | "Cardboard Box" | |
| 6. | "My Hurricane" | |
| 7. | "Aeroplane Blues" | |
| 8. | "Jack Leaves & Back Spring" | |
| 9. | "Colour Me" | |
| 10. | "Streamers" | |
| 11. | "The Boy in the Bubble" | |
| 12. | "Sixth Continent" |
References edit
- ^ Maurstad, Tom (September 15, 1991). "Beatsongs, The Blue Aeroplanes". The Dallas Morning News. p. 11C.
- ^ Price, Simon (Aug 3, 1991). "Gosh Gerard, You're Right as Usual — Beatsongs by Blue Aeroplanes". Melody Maker. 67 (31): 29.
- ^ Fricke, David (Dec 12, 1991). "The Year in Records — Beatsongs by The Blues Aeroplanes". Rolling Stone (619/620): 187.
- ^ "Blue Aeroplanes". Trouser Press. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
- ^ "Blue Aeroplanes". Official Charts. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
- ^ a b "Beatsongs". Record Collector. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
- ^ "Beatsongs by The Blue Aeroplanes". Billboard. 103 (38): 76. Sep 21, 1991.
- ^ Popkin, Helen (1 Nov 1991). "The Blue Aeroplanes Beatsongs". Weekend. St. Petersburg Times. p. 18.
- ^ a b "Beatsongs Review by Ned Raggett". AllMusic. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
- ^ "The Blue Aeroplanes Biography by William Ruhlmann". AllMusic. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
- ^ a b Muretich, James (22 Sep 1991). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald. p. E2.
- ^ a b Kot, Greg (19 Sep 1991). "Recordings". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 7.
- ^ Sullivan, Jim (5 Sep 1991). "Blue Aeroplanes Beatsongs". Calendar. The Boston Globe. p. 6.
- ^ Sullivan, Jim (19 Dec 1991). "Top 10 Records of 1991". Calendar. The Boston Globe. p. 14.
- ^ Sinclair, David (August 2, 1991). "Fretwork made to sound easy". Features. The Times.
- ^ Gnerre, Sam (December 27, 1991). "Rock music rolled back into the limelight". Daily Breeze. p. E13.