Native Place is an album by the English band the Railway Children, released in 1990.[2][3] The band broke up after the album's release, in part due to EMI's acquisition of Virgin Records.[4]
| Native Place | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1990 | |||
| Studio | Townhouse, Battery (London) | |||
| Label | Virgin[1] | |||
| Producer | Steve Lovell, Steve Power | |||
| The Railway Children chronology | ||||
| ||||
The album peaked at No. 59 on the UK Albums Chart.[5] "Every Beat of the Heart" peaked at No. 1 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart.[6] The band promoted the album by touring with the Heart Throbs.[7][8]
Production
editThe album was produced by Steve Lovell and Steve Power.[9] It was recorded over a period of four months, to the annoyance of chief songwriter Gary Newby.[10]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [11] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [12] |
| Select | [13] |
Trouser Press wrote: "No longer an unassuming pop group, the Railway Children are growing into dance-oriented chart hacks."[14] The Washington Post opined that "Native Place is not brave or powerful or important, but it's seriously listenable."[15]
The Daily Breeze determined that the album "leans more toward guitar-oriented pop, boasting strong melodies, airy textures and a sunny optimism."[10] The Dayton Daily News stated that "the group's sound recalls the jangling guitars of the Byrds combined with a sweeping keyboard sound from the early '80s."[16]
AllMusic wrote that "the slick production and sunny synths couldn't leech the buoyancy and emotional impact from the poetic, romantic songwriting and warm harmonies of Gary Newby."[11] MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide deemed Native Place "one of the definitive pop albums of the early '90s ... Newby's gentle vocals are flawless."[9]
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Gary Newby
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Every Beat of the Heart" | 4:08 |
| 2. | "Music Stop" | 4:00 |
| 3. | "You're Young" | 4:32 |
| 4. | "Because" | 4:45 |
| 5. | "Cotton Counting" | 1:59 |
| 6. | "It's Heaven" | 3:34 |
| 7. | "Something So Good" | 4:14 |
| 8. | "Collide" | 4:16 |
| 9. | "Native Place" | 3:53 |
| 10. | "Fall On" | 1:27 |
| 11. | "Harbour Force" | 3:58 |
| 12. | "Blue Sky" | 4:06 |
Personnel
edit- The Railway Children
- Gary Newby - vocals, lead guitar, keyboards, artwork, sleeve design
- Brian Bateman - rhythm guitar
- Stephen Hull - bass
- Guy Keegan - drums, percussion
with:
- Matt Irving - additional keyboards, accordion
- Matthew Taylor - saxophone on "Because"
References
edit- ^ "The Railway Children Native Place Virgin". Entertainment. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. August 19, 1990. p. 2.
- ^ "Railway Children Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- ^ Simpson, Dave (Jul 7, 1990). "Album: The Railway Children". Melody Maker. Vol. 66, no. 27. p. 38.
- ^ Nowell, Andrew (March 11, 2016). "Railway Children are back on track". Arts Culture and Entertainment. Wigan Evening Post.
- ^ "Railway Children Full Official Chart History". Official Charts.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (March 27, 2008). Joel Whitburn Presents Rock Tracks 1981-2008. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 9780898201741.
- ^ Eichenberger, Bill (November 8, 1990). "'The Heart Throbs' Evoke Mixed Emotions". Weekender. The Columbus Dispatch. p. 8.
- ^ Brown, G. (9 Nov 1990). "Heart Throbs' sound garnering accolades". The Denver Post. p. 19F.
- ^ a b MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 916.
- ^ a b Okamoto, Shari (November 2, 1990). "Railway Children on track with 'Native Place' album". Daily Breeze. p. E10.
- ^ a b "Native Place". AllMusic.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 6. MUZE. p. 745.
- ^ Terry, Nick (July 1990). "Tunnel Vision". Select. p. 85.
- ^ "Railway Children". Trouser Press. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
- ^ Jenkins, Mark (23 Nov 1990). "Railway Children Cut Tuneful Tracks". The Washington Post. p. N20.
- ^ Larsen, Dave (November 11, 1990). "Manchester Plays Home to New English Sounds". Dayton Daily News. p. 1C.