Good Humor (album)
Encyclopedia
Good Humor is an album by Saint Etienne
released in 1998. The American spelling 'humor' is used in the title as the band were, according to Sarah Cracknell, "fed up with the 'quintessentially English' tag, so there was a bit of a backlash against that."
The album was a departure for the group, who had been associated with the indie dance genre. Tiger Bay
, their previous album, had added many acoustic and orchestral elements but still belonged to the synth-pop and dance genres, but Good Humor is more acoustic
, having more in common musically with their 1993 hit single "You're in a Bad Way
". Good Humor was demoed in the UK using synths and drum machines, but was recorded in Sweden
under the guidance of Tore Johansson
, who augmented their sound with a full band and a horn section.
, Sweden
. The album was produced by Tore Johansson
who had produced all of The Cardigans
' previous studio albums. Most of the B-sides were also recorded and produced during the two week sessions. Sarah Cracknell
cut short the promotion of her solo album Lipslide
and single "Goldie" to record the album.
through Heavenly Records
, but Good Humor was their first release for the label proper. Its original release date was planned for summer 1997 but was delayed by Creation because they were committed to promoting Oasis
's album Be Here Now.
In the United States, the group was signed to the prestigious Sub Pop
label. Initial copies of the US release contained a second CD of bonus songs called Fairfax High
made up mostly of B-sides from UK singles. Each of the tracks on this second CD is available as part of the 2010 deluxe edition of Good Humor. Fairfax High was the first of a series of US-only singles, albums and EPs
.
The first single was "Sylvie
", which reached #12 in the UK Top 40. The band wanted "Lose That Girl" to be the second single from the album, but Creation decided on "The Bad Photographer", which reached #27. "Lose That Girl" was scheduled for release by Creation in late 1998 but was scrapped at close to the last minute. Remixes by the Trouser Enthusiasts
were produced, but were not pressed to even promo 12". The Trouser Enthusiasts' remix was later featured as a bonus track on the North American-only B-sides compilation Interlude.
An instrumental demo of "Lose That Girl" and a single mix of "Sylvie" produced by Tore Johansson are included on the fan club
CD Nice Price
. The band-written sleeve notes describe the influence of soft rock on the former. The song also had the working title of "Jazz Odyssey" (a nod to This is Spinal Tap
).
With:
January 1998
The Bad Photographer
April 1998
Saint Etienne (band)
Saint Etienne are an English Pop group comprising Sarah Cracknell, Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs. They are named after the French football team AS Saint-Étienne.-History:Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs were childhood friends and former music journalists...
released in 1998. The American spelling 'humor' is used in the title as the band were, according to Sarah Cracknell, "fed up with the 'quintessentially English' tag, so there was a bit of a backlash against that."
The album was a departure for the group, who had been associated with the indie dance genre. Tiger Bay
Tiger Bay (album)
- CD: Warner / 9 45634-2 :- CD: Heavenly/Sony / 01-475962-11 :- CD: Heavenly / HVNLP8CDDE :-Personnel:* Sarah Cracknell - vocals, snowboard, scaremonger* Bob Stanley - keyboards, wulfren, Scouse wit...
, their previous album, had added many acoustic and orchestral elements but still belonged to the synth-pop and dance genres, but Good Humor is more acoustic
Acoustic music
Acoustic music comprises music that solely or primarily uses instruments which produce sound through entirely acoustic means, as opposed to electric or electronic means...
, having more in common musically with their 1993 hit single "You're in a Bad Way
You're in a Bad Way
"You're in a Bad Way" is a song by British pop group Saint Etienne. It appears on their 1992 album So Tough and was released as a single in 1993.The song is a deliberately old-fashioned throwback to 1960s pop music...
". Good Humor was demoed in the UK using synths and drum machines, but was recorded in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
under the guidance of Tore Johansson
Tore Johansson
Tore Johansson is a Swedish record producer, composer and musician based in Malmö, Sweden.-Biography:In an interview with HitQuarters, Johansson claimed that the main impetus for his becoming a music producer was the lack of good recording studios in the Malmö area at that time in which to record...
, who augmented their sound with a full band and a horn section.
Production
Good Humor was recorded in two weeks at Tambourine Studios, MalmoMalmö
Malmö , in the southernmost province of Scania, is the third most populous city in Sweden, after Stockholm and Gothenburg.Malmö is the seat of Malmö Municipality and the capital of Skåne County...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. The album was produced by Tore Johansson
Tore Johansson
Tore Johansson is a Swedish record producer, composer and musician based in Malmö, Sweden.-Biography:In an interview with HitQuarters, Johansson claimed that the main impetus for his becoming a music producer was the lack of good recording studios in the Malmö area at that time in which to record...
who had produced all of The Cardigans
The Cardigans
The Cardigans are a Swedish rock band formed in the town of Jönköping in October 1992.Their debut album Emmerdale gave them a solid base in their home country and enjoyed some success abroad, especially in Japan. It was not until their second album Life that an international reputation was secured...
' previous studio albums. Most of the B-sides were also recorded and produced during the two week sessions. Sarah Cracknell
Sarah Cracknell
Sarah Cracknell is an English pop singer who fronts the band Saint Etienne and is known for her light, smooth singing voice. She is the daughter of Stanley Kubrick's first assistant director Derek Cracknell.-Career:...
cut short the promotion of her solo album Lipslide
Lipslide
Lipslide is the debut solo album from Saint Etienne lead singer Sarah Cracknell. The album was co-produced by Cracknell and a variety of producers and released in the UK by Gut Records in 1997. Upon its release Lipslide earned favorable reviews from music critics, although it was not a commercial...
and single "Goldie" to record the album.
Releases
Saint Etienne had always been affiliated with Creation RecordsCreation Records
Creation Records was a British independent record label headed by Alan McGee. Along with Dick Green and Joe Foster, McGee founded Creation in 1983. The label lasted until its demise in 1999. The name came from the 1960s band The Creation , whom McGee greatly admired. McGee, Green and Foster were...
through Heavenly Records
Heavenly Records
Heavenly Records, aka Heavenly Recordings, is a London-based record label, distributed by EMI. Founded by Jeff Barrett, a former press officer for Creation Records and many successful indie bands of the time including Happy Mondays, Heavenly Recordings' first releases were 7" and 12" singles for...
, but Good Humor was their first release for the label proper. Its original release date was planned for summer 1997 but was delayed by Creation because they were committed to promoting Oasis
Oasis (band)
Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher , Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs , Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll , who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher...
's album Be Here Now.
In the United States, the group was signed to the prestigious Sub Pop
Sub Pop
Sub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. Sub Pop achieved fame in the late 1980s for first signing Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many other bands from the Seattle music scene...
label. Initial copies of the US release contained a second CD of bonus songs called Fairfax High
Fairfax High
Fairfax High is an album by Saint Etienne. It was not released on its own, but only as a bonus CD included with the initial US pressing of 1998's Good Humor. The tracks are mostly B-sides from the UK singles...
made up mostly of B-sides from UK singles. Each of the tracks on this second CD is available as part of the 2010 deluxe edition of Good Humor. Fairfax High was the first of a series of US-only singles, albums and EPs
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
.
The first single was "Sylvie
Sylvie
Sylvie is a Canadian musical group from Regina, Saskatchewan. It features singer/guitarist Joel Passmore, formerly of the now-disbanded Despistado, alongside bass player Riva Farrell Racette, guitarist Chris Notenboom, keyboardist Erin Passmore and drummer Jeff Romanyk...
", which reached #12 in the UK Top 40. The band wanted "Lose That Girl" to be the second single from the album, but Creation decided on "The Bad Photographer", which reached #27. "Lose That Girl" was scheduled for release by Creation in late 1998 but was scrapped at close to the last minute. Remixes by the Trouser Enthusiasts
Trouser Enthusiasts
Trouser Enthusiasts was an electronic dance music production group, active during the 1990s, formed by Belfast-born Ian Masterson and David Green. The group was best known as producers of pop and dance remixes, having worked for, most prominently, Pet Shop Boys, Dannii Minogue, and Saint Etienne...
were produced, but were not pressed to even promo 12". The Trouser Enthusiasts' remix was later featured as a bonus track on the North American-only B-sides compilation Interlude.
An instrumental demo of "Lose That Girl" and a single mix of "Sylvie" produced by Tore Johansson are included on the fan club
Fan club
A fan club is a group that is dedicated to a well-known person, group, idea or sometimes even an inanimate object . Most fan clubs are run by fans who devote considerable time and resources to supporting them. There are also "official" fan clubs that are run by someone associated with the person...
CD Nice Price
Nice Price
Nice Price is a fan club only release by Saint Etienne. It covers the band's entire recording history and contains demo, alternative and remixed versions of previously released tracks.-Track listing:# Nothing Can Stop Us - 4:04...
. The band-written sleeve notes describe the influence of soft rock on the former. The song also had the working title of "Jazz Odyssey" (a nod to This is Spinal Tap
This Is Spinal Tap
This Is Spinal Tap is an American 1984 rock musical mockumentary directed by Rob Reiner about the fictional heavy metal band Spinal Tap...
).
Deluxe edition
The album was rereleased on 4 October 2010 in a two CD "deluxe edition". The bonus disc contained the whole of Fairfax High as well as a number of other tracks.Track listing
All songs written by Sarah Cracknell, Bob Stanley, and Pete Wiggs- "Wood Cabin" – 4:07
- "Sylvie" – 4:48
- "Split Screen" – 3:24
- "Mr. Donut" – 3:34
- "Goodnight Jack" – 4:37
- "Lose That Girl" – 4:03
- "The Bad Photographer" – 4:14
- "Been So Long" – 3:33
- "Postman" – 3:46
- "Erica America" – 4:02
- "Dutch TV" – 3:27
Bonus disc (available as part of the Deluxe Edition)
All tracks written by Sarah Cracknell, Bob Stanley, and Pete Wiggs except where noted.- Hill Street Connection – 3:55
- Hit the Brakes – 3:46
- Madeleine – 3:57 (Cracknell, Wiggs)
- Swim Swan Swim – 3:03
- 4.35 in the Morning – 4:34 (Cracknell, Mark Waterfield)
- Clark Co. Record Fair – 3:15
- Zipcode – 3:02
- My Name Is Vlaovic – 2:32 (Cracknell, Wiggs)
- Afraid to Go Home – 3:27
- La La La – 3:13 (Manuel de la Calva, Ramón ArcusaDúo DinámicoDúo Dinámico is a Spanish musical duo, which was very popular in Spain and Latin America in the 1960s. It is formed by Manuel de la Calva and Ramón Arcusa, singers, songwriters, record producers and actors. They were the main precursors of pop music in Spain....
, Julien)- Originally recorded by MassielMassielMaría de los Ángeles Felisa Santamaría Espinoza , professionally known as Massiel, is a Spanish pop singer...
- Originally recorded by Massiel
- Do You Love Me? (previously unreleased) – 2:57 (Cracknell, Wiggs)
- Cat Nap – 2:47
- Jack Lemmon – 4:22
- Constantly – 2:47
- The Emidisc Theme – 2:21
- 4.35 in the Morning (original version) – 3:59
- Initial copies of the UK vinyl LP were issued with a bonus 10" CRE 290X, which contained the "Friday Night Boiler Mix" of "Sylvie" and the "Kid LocoKid LocoJean-Yves Prieur, aka Kid Loco is a French electronic musician, DJ, remixer and producer. He was born on June 16, 1964 in Antony, Hauts-de-Seine, France. Allmusic considers his style to be similar to Air and Dimitri from Paris...
Talkin' Blues Mix" of "4:35 in the Morning".
Personnel
- Bob StanleyBob Stanley (Saint Etienne)Bob Stanley is a UK musician, film producer and journalist.-Saint Etienne:Stanley is best known as a member of the pop/dance group Saint Etienne for which he co-writes songs and produces...
- synthesisers, Rapmaster 2000, Esquilax - Pete WiggsPete WiggsPete Wiggs is an English musician and DJ.-Saint Etienne:Pete Wiggs is a member of the pop/dance group Saint Etienne for which he co-writes songs, produces and plays keyboards on stage...
- synthesisers, Tube Rotosphere - Sarah CracknellSarah CracknellSarah Cracknell is an English pop singer who fronts the band Saint Etienne and is known for her light, smooth singing voice. She is the daughter of Stanley Kubrick's first assistant director Derek Cracknell.-Career:...
- vocals, cowbells, Flying A
With:
- Tore Johansson - bass guitar, string arrangements, harmonica, klangspiel
- Gerard Johnson - piano, vibraphone, keyboards
- Jez WilliamsJez WilliamsJez Williams is the guitarist/songwriter of Doves. He was born in Manchester, England, and he is also the twin brother of bandmate Andy...
- guitars - Rasmus Kihlberg - drums
- Debsey - backing vocals
- Sven Andersson - saxophone
- Petter Lidgard - trumpet
- Jens Lindgard - trombone
- Mats Larsson - piano embellishments on "Woodcabin"
Credits
- All songs written by Cracknell/Stanley/Wiggs
- All tracks produced by Tore Johansson at Tambourine Studios, Malmo.
- Pre-production by Ian CattIan CattIan Catt is a British record producer and multi-instrumentalist associated with several popular indie groups, notably Saint Etienne of whom he has been a touring member. He has also collaborated with Saint Etienne's vocalist Sarah Cracknell on her solo album, Lipslide...
and Gerard Johnson.
Singles
SylvieJanuary 1998
CD one
|
CD two
|
The Bad Photographer
April 1998
CD one
|
CD two
|