Total Evaporation is the fifth album by the Radiators, released in 1991.[3] The band and label parted ways before the year was over.[4] Total Evaporation sold more than 85,000 copies in its first six months of release.[5]

Total Evaporation
Studio album by
Released1991
GenreSwamp rock,[1] roots rock
LabelEpic[2]
ProducerJim Dickinson
The Radiators chronology
Zig-Zaggin' Through Ghostland
(1989)
Total Evaporation
(1991)
Snafu 10-31-'91
(1992)

"Let the Red Wine Flow" was the first single.[6] The band supported the album with a North American tour.[7]

Production edit

Recorded in Memphis, the album was produced by Jim Dickinson.[6][8] Most of the songs were written by Ed Volker; he thought that the album incorporated a more pronounced soul influence.[9][10] The Memphis Horns played on a few tracks.[11]

Critical reception edit

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [12]
Calgary HeraldB+[1]
Chicago Tribune    [13]
Orlando Sentinel     [11]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide     [14]

USA Today praised the "funk-bitten Mardi Gras stomp."[15] The Chicago Tribune wrote that "the band has yet to kick the homily habit or its reliance on funky rock retreads straight out of Little Feat and the Neville Brothers."[13] The Waterloo Region Record opined that, "as a kind of roots-rock with country tinges, this album has too many competitors to make it worthwhile."[16] The Houston Chronicle deemed the Radiators a "quintessential bar band," writing that the majority of the album was the "usual funky-blues flow."[17] The Oregonian noted that the "relaxed arrangements ... avoid the beer-commercial-boogie cliches."[18]

Track listing edit

  1. "Soul Deep" (Ed Volker) — 4:34
  2. "Let the Red Wine Flow" (Volker, Dave Malone, Camile Baudoin) — 4:53
  3. "Total Evaporation" (Volker, Malone, Baudoin, Reggie Scanlan) — 5:33
  4. "Grain of Salt" (Volker) — 3:46
  5. "Molasses" (Malone, Volker) — 3:43
  6. "Solid Ground" (Volker) — 6:03
  7. "Never Let Your Fire Go Out" (Malone, Baudoin, Scanlan, Frank Bua) — 3:40
  8. "Everything Gets in the Way" (Volker) — 4:02
  9. "You Can't Take It with You" (Malone, Baudoin, Scanlan, Bua) — 5:06
  10. "Good as Gone" (Volker) — 4:31
  11. "Party 'Til the Money Runs Out" (Volker) — 2:09
  12. "Honey from the Bee" (Volker) — 3:58
  13. "I Want to Go Where the Green Arrow Goes" (Volker) — 5:25

Personnel edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b Wagamese, Richard (12 May 1991). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald. p. E3.
  2. ^ Abbott, Jim (15 Mar 1991). "In the Bin". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 40.
  3. ^ Bream, Jim (29 Mar 1991). "Radiator fans can dance at Guthrie—in lobby". Star Tribune. p. 8E.
  4. ^ Locey, Bill (13 Feb 1992). "Musical Anti-Freeze". Los Angeles Times. p. J4.
  5. ^ Booth, Philip (September 13, 1991). "Big Easy's Radiators are hot". Tampa Bay Times. The Tampa Tribune. p. 18.
  6. ^ a b Burliuk, Greg (18 May 1991). "Total Evaporation The Radiators". Magazine. The Kingston Whig-Standard. p. 1.
  7. ^ Lannert, John (13 Sep 1991). "This Weekend". Features Showtime. Sun-Sentinel. p. 32.
  8. ^ Heim, Chris (29 Mar 1991). "The Radiators, Tuesday at Park West". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. N.
  9. ^ Washburn, Jim (22 May 1991). "These Radiators Run Cold". Los Angeles Times. p. F2.
  10. ^ Mason, Rick (March 29, 1991). "Fishhead Funk". St. Paul Pioneer Press. p. 18B.
  11. ^ a b Gettelman, Parry (13 Sep 1991). "The Radiators". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 9.
  12. ^ Total Evaporation at AllMusic
  13. ^ a b Heim, Chris (25 Apr 1991). "Recordings". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 7.
  14. ^ The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 573.
  15. ^ Gundersen, Edna (24 Apr 1991). "Take a bite of 'Alligator stomp'". USA Today. p. 4D.
  16. ^ Randall, Neil (20 June 1991). "Total Evaporation The Radiators". Waterloo Region Record. p. C9.
  17. ^ Racine, Marty (April 28, 1991). "Total Evaporation The Radiators". Zest. Houston Chronicle. p. 10.
  18. ^ Hughley, Marty (May 24, 1991). "Hot Radiators". Arts and Entertainment. The Oregonian. p. 11.