Flip-Flop is the fourth and final studio album by the American band Guadalcanal Diary.[1][2] It was released in 1989 on Elektra Records.[3] The band supported the album with a North American tour.[4] "Always Saturday", for which a video was shot, was released as a single.[5]
| Flip-Flop | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1989 | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Label | Elektra | |||
| Producer | Don Dixon | |||
| Guadalcanal Diary chronology | ||||
| ||||
Production edit
The album was produced by Don Dixon.[6] Drummer John Poe wrote several of the album's songs.[7] "Ten Laws" was inspired by Joseph Campbell's Myths to Live By.[8]
Critical reception edit
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [9] |
| Chicago Tribune | [10] |
| Houston Chronicle |  [11] |
The Los Angeles Times wrote: "One of the most underrated, overlooked and inaccurately compared to R.E.M. bands around doesn't offer much to change that on its fourth album."[12] The Northwest Florida Daily News deemed the album "artsy rock 'n' roll" that "doesn't stray too far from homespun melodies and twangy guitars."[13]
The Toronto Star called it "raucous, energizing, intelligent guitar rock."[14] The Gazette determined that the album finds the band "working some of the melancholy out of singer Murray Attaway's vocals."[15] The Chicago Tribune labeled Flip-Flop "terrific mainstream rock, a shade quirkier than John Mellencamp or Tom Petty but no less deserving of Top 40 status."[10]
Track listing edit
- "Look Up!" – 2:33
- "Always Saturday" – 4:15
- "The Likes of You" – 3:06
- "Barometer" – 4:07
- "Happy Home" – 2:53
- "Whiskey Talk" – 3:36
- "Pretty Is As Pretty Does" – 4:08
- "Everything But Good Luck" – 2:53
- "Ten Laws" – 3:44
- "Fade Out" – 4:59
- "...Vista" – 3:05
References edit
- ^ "Jeff Walls, Guitarist for Guadalcanal Diary, Hillbilly Frankenstein and The Woggles, Has Died". pastemagazine.com. May 30, 2019. Archived from the original on June 12, 2019. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
- ^ Gittins, Ian (Feb 25, 1989). "Guadalcanal Diary". Melody Maker. 65 (8): 29.
- ^ "TrouserPress.com :: Guadalcanal Diary". www.trouserpress.com.
- ^ Zibart, Eve (14 Apr 1989). "Family Diary". The Washington Post. p. N22.
- ^ Harrison, Tom (14 June 1989). "Band feels like family". Entertainment. The Province. p. 48.
- ^ Heim, Chris (17 Mar 1989). "Up-and-comers and cult favorites". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. 54.
- ^ Blackstock, Peter (4 Apr 1989). "Battle for success rages with Guadalcanal Diary". Austin American-Statesman. p. B14.
- ^ "Murray Attaway, 31, is the lead singer...". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. 7 May 1989. p. 4.
- ^ Flip-Flop at AllMusic
- ^ a b Kot, Greg (11 May 1989). "Recordings". Chicago Tribune. p. 19C.
- ^ Racine, Marty (April 2, 1989). "Records". Zest. Houston Chronicle. p. 10.
- ^ Hochman, Steve (12 Mar 1989). "Record Rack". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 86.
- ^ Wheeler, Kris (31 Mar 1989). "Georgia band alters Southern rock sound". Northwest Florida Daily News. p. C6.
- ^ Quill, Greg (31 Mar 1989). "Guadalcanal Diary Flip Flop". Toronto Star. p. D15.
- ^ "Guadalcanal Diary Flip Flop". The Gazette. 6 Apr 1989. p. F6.