Gold Afternoon Fix
Encyclopedia
Gold Afternoon Fix, The Church
's seventh studio album, and second on Arista
, was released in February 1990. Meant to capitalize and build on the success of 1988's Starfish
, the album saw considerable promotion upon its release. Despite moderate success in the U.S., with the single "Metropolis" reaching the top of the Modern Rock Tracks
chart, the release failed to deliver mass commercial appeal.
Like on Starfish, studio production was overseen by Waddy Wachtel
, despite the band's desire to employ John Paul Jones
, formerly of Led Zeppelin
. The recording sessions for the album were particularly tense and unsuitable, and in-band tensions led to drummer Richard Ploog being ostracized. While some of the bare, open sound that characterized Starfish punctuates the recording, heavy use of a drum machine (duplicating Ploog's parts) has resulted in the album being criticized as somewhat stiff and cold. Ploog left the group following the recording.
Gold Afternoon Fix is also unique among the Church's releases in the absence of any 12-string electric guitar. The missing trademark sound was due to guitarist Marty Willson-Piper
's 12-string Rickenbacker
having been stolen during the previous tour.
The Church (band)
The Church is an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1980. Initially associated with new wave and the neo-psychedelic sound of the mid 1980s, their music later became more reminiscent of progressive rock, featuring long instrumental jams and complex guitar interplay...
's seventh studio album, and second on Arista
Arista Records
Arista was an American record label. It was a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment and operated under the RCA Music Group. The label was founded in 1974 by Clive Davis, who formerly worked for CBS Records...
, was released in February 1990. Meant to capitalize and build on the success of 1988's Starfish
Starfish (album)
The breakthrough 1988 album by The Church, Starfish has remained the band's most commercially successful release. The first single, "Under the Milky Way", charted well into the American Top 40, peaking at #24 and #2 on Mainstream Rock Tracks leading to significant exposure of the then relatively...
, the album saw considerable promotion upon its release. Despite moderate success in the U.S., with the single "Metropolis" reaching the top of the Modern Rock Tracks
Modern Rock Tracks
Alternative Songs is a music chart in the United States that has appeared in Billboard magazine since September 10, 1988. It lists the 40 most-played songs on modern rock radio stations, most of which are alternative rock songs...
chart, the release failed to deliver mass commercial appeal.
Like on Starfish, studio production was overseen by Waddy Wachtel
Waddy Wachtel
Robert "Waddy" Wachtel is an American musician, composer and record producer, most notable for his guitar work...
, despite the band's desire to employ John Paul Jones
John Paul Jones (musician)
John Paul Jones is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, composer, arranger and record producer. Best known as the bassist, mandolinist, and keyboardist for English rock band Led Zeppelin, Jones has since developed a solo career and has gained even more respect as both a musician and a...
, formerly of Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
. The recording sessions for the album were particularly tense and unsuitable, and in-band tensions led to drummer Richard Ploog being ostracized. While some of the bare, open sound that characterized Starfish punctuates the recording, heavy use of a drum machine (duplicating Ploog's parts) has resulted in the album being criticized as somewhat stiff and cold. Ploog left the group following the recording.
Gold Afternoon Fix is also unique among the Church's releases in the absence of any 12-string electric guitar. The missing trademark sound was due to guitarist Marty Willson-Piper
Marty Willson-Piper
Marty Willson-Piper is a guitarist and member of Australian independent rock band The Church.After busking his way around the world, he arrived in Australia...
's 12-string Rickenbacker
Rickenbacker
Rickenbacker International Corporation, also known as Rickenbacker, is an electric and bass guitar manufacturer based in Santa Ana, California...
having been stolen during the previous tour.
Track listing
- "Pharaoh" (Kilbey/Willson-Piper/Koppes/Ploog)
- "Metropolis" (Kilbey/Willson-Piper/Koppes/Ploog)
- "Terra Nova Cain" (Kilbey/Willson-Piper)
- "City" (Kilbey/Willson-Piper/Koppes/Ploog)
- "Monday Morning" (Kilbey/Willson-Piper/Koppes/Ploog)
- "Russian Autumn Heart" (Willson-Piper/Kilbey/Koppes/Ploog)
- "Essence" (Kilbey/Willson-Piper/Koppes/Ploog)
- "You're Still Beautiful" (Kilbey/Willson-Piper/Koppes/Ploog)
- "Disappointment" (Kilbey/Willson-Piper/Koppes)
- "Transient" (Koppes/Kilbey/Willson-Piper)
- "Laughing" (Kilbey/Willson-Piper/Koppes/Ploog)
- "Fading Away" (Kilbey/Willson-Piper/Koppes/Ploog)
- "Grind" (Kilbey/Willson-Piper/Koppes/Ploog)
Personnel
- Steve KilbeySteve KilbeySteven John Kilbey is the lead singer-songwriter and bass guitarist for The Church, an Australian rock band. He is also a music producer, poet, and painter....
: Vocals, Bass, Keyboards - Marty Willson-PiperMarty Willson-PiperMarty Willson-Piper is a guitarist and member of Australian independent rock band The Church.After busking his way around the world, he arrived in Australia...
: Guitar, Lead vocal on "Russian Autumn Heart" - Peter KoppesPeter KoppesPeter Koppes is a guitarist and founding member of Australian independent rock band The Church. As well as his contributions to The Church, he has also released several solo albums....
: Guitar, Lead vocal on "Transient" - Richard Ploog: Drums