Jam Science
Encyclopedia
Jam Science is the second album by English pop group Shriekback
. It was released in two versions in 1984, and has not been reissued on CD
.
The first edition, issued on Y Records
in early 1984, was the final release by the label. As the company's final activity, label owner Dick O'Dell assembled an unfinished version of the album from rough mixes without the group's permission; however as the album was contractually recorded for the label, it is not an unauthorised release. Y was a UK record company, but this album was manufactured and distributed in the Netherlands
by Sound Products Holland BV, and was out of print by the time the second edition was released. The second edition, issued on Arista Records
in late 1984, is the version sanctioned by the group.
"Hand on My Heart" and "Mercy Dash" were also issued as singles, both on Arista.
"International" and "Putting On the Pressure" can only be found on the Y edition, and have never been reissued. "Achtung", "Mercy Dash", "Suck" and "Hubris" can only be found on the Arista edition. "Building Up a New Home" and "Party Line" (on Y) are retitled "Newhome" and "Partyline" (on Arista).
The Arista version of "Under the Lights" includes additional overdubs, truncates the "rapping" section and last chorus, and ends with a coda of unaccompanied distorted vocal, while the Y version's coda is similar to the mix of the rest of the song. Both are made from the same basic recording.
The Arista version of "Newhome" has a shorter instrumental break near the end, and vocals are completely re-recorded.
The Arista version of "Hand on My Heart" is completely re-recorded at a faster tempo, with a preview of the chorus's backing vocals in the introduction, which was absent on the Y version.
The Arista version of "Partyline" omits an extra repeat of the chorus near the end. Vocals have been re-recorded, and there are additional overdubs.
"My Careful Hands" fades out earlier on the Arista version, and is a significantly different mix, but is made from the same basic recording as the Y version.
"Midnight Maps" is the only track that is essentially the same on both editions, although the Arista version is probably a remix.
The album title is printed as one word, Jamscience on the cover of the first edition (front and spine), but as two words on the label. It is spelled consistently as two words on the Arista edition. The Y edition's cover shows a group lineup of three musicians with Martyn Barker
(drums) included in a list of additional musicians; the Arista edition declares a lineup of four musicians including Barker, although he only plays on two tracks. The Y edition credits Barry Andrews
as the producer, while the Arista edition credits Shriekback with Paul Groucho Smykle.
The two editions have completely different covers. The Y edition uses a graphic of a comical anthropomorphic
machine screw, which some have interpreted as either an accusation that the group "screwed" the label by leaving (even though their departure may have been a result of the label folding), or a declaration that the label was "screwing" the group by releasing the album without their approval. Neither interpretation has been officially acknowledged, and there is no conclusive evidence that any sinister message was intended.
, Barry Andrews
, Carl Marsh; except * by Allen, Andrews, Martyn Barker
, Marsh.
Shriekback
Shriekback are an English rock band, formed in 1981 in Kentish Town by Barry Andrews, formerly of XTC and League of Gentlemen , and Dave Allen, formerly of the Gang of Four , with Carl Marsh, formerly of Out On Blue Six soon added to the line-up. They were joined by Martyn Barker on drums in 1983...
. It was released in two versions in 1984, and has not been reissued on CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
.
The first edition, issued on Y Records
Y Records
Y Records was an independent record label set up in 1980 by Dick O’Dell in the United Kingdom, and distributed by Rough Trade.-History:Artists included The Slits, Shriekback and a number of groups that were associated with the Bristol Indie Bands from the late 1970s: The Pop Group, Glaxo Babies,...
in early 1984, was the final release by the label. As the company's final activity, label owner Dick O'Dell assembled an unfinished version of the album from rough mixes without the group's permission; however as the album was contractually recorded for the label, it is not an unauthorised release. Y was a UK record company, but this album was manufactured and distributed in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
by Sound Products Holland BV, and was out of print by the time the second edition was released. The second edition, issued on Arista Records
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...
in late 1984, is the version sanctioned by the group.
"Hand on My Heart" and "Mercy Dash" were also issued as singles, both on Arista.
Differences between Y and Arista editions
Each edition contains tracks not found on the other, as well as alternate recordings and alternate mixes."International" and "Putting On the Pressure" can only be found on the Y edition, and have never been reissued. "Achtung", "Mercy Dash", "Suck" and "Hubris" can only be found on the Arista edition. "Building Up a New Home" and "Party Line" (on Y) are retitled "Newhome" and "Partyline" (on Arista).
The Arista version of "Under the Lights" includes additional overdubs, truncates the "rapping" section and last chorus, and ends with a coda of unaccompanied distorted vocal, while the Y version's coda is similar to the mix of the rest of the song. Both are made from the same basic recording.
The Arista version of "Newhome" has a shorter instrumental break near the end, and vocals are completely re-recorded.
The Arista version of "Hand on My Heart" is completely re-recorded at a faster tempo, with a preview of the chorus's backing vocals in the introduction, which was absent on the Y version.
The Arista version of "Partyline" omits an extra repeat of the chorus near the end. Vocals have been re-recorded, and there are additional overdubs.
"My Careful Hands" fades out earlier on the Arista version, and is a significantly different mix, but is made from the same basic recording as the Y version.
"Midnight Maps" is the only track that is essentially the same on both editions, although the Arista version is probably a remix.
The album title is printed as one word, Jamscience on the cover of the first edition (front and spine), but as two words on the label. It is spelled consistently as two words on the Arista edition. The Y edition's cover shows a group lineup of three musicians with Martyn Barker
Martyn Barker
Martyn Barker is an English drummer, best known as the drummer for Shriekback. He has also been a member of King Swamp, and worked with Paula Rae Gibson, Billy Bragg and Beth Gibbons, Rustin Man and Juldah Camara & Justin Adams....
(drums) included in a list of additional musicians; the Arista edition declares a lineup of four musicians including Barker, although he only plays on two tracks. The Y edition credits Barry Andrews
Barry Andrews
Barry Andrews may refer to:*Barry Andrews , vocalist and keyboardist*Barry Andrews , Irish Fianna Fáil politician*Barry Andrews , former member of the Cronulla Sharks rugby league team...
as the producer, while the Arista edition credits Shriekback with Paul Groucho Smykle.
The two editions have completely different covers. The Y edition uses a graphic of a comical anthropomorphic
Anthropomorphism
Anthropomorphism is any attribution of human characteristics to animals, non-living things, phenomena, material states, objects or abstract concepts, such as organizations, governments, spirits or deities. The term was coined in the mid 1700s...
machine screw, which some have interpreted as either an accusation that the group "screwed" the label by leaving (even though their departure may have been a result of the label folding), or a declaration that the label was "screwing" the group by releasing the album without their approval. Neither interpretation has been officially acknowledged, and there is no conclusive evidence that any sinister message was intended.
Side one
- "Under the Lights" – 4:01
- "Building Up a New Home" – 3:51
- "Hand on My Heart" – 4:40
- "International" – 3:28
Side two
- "Putting On the Pressure" – 4:31
- "Party Line" – 4:12
- "My Careful Hands" – 4:22
- "Midnight Maps" – 4:14
Arista edition
Composed by Dave AllenDave Allen (producer/bassist)
Dave Allen was the bass guitarist for the post-punk band, Gang of Four. In 1981, he left Gang of Four to found Shriekback....
, Barry Andrews
Barry Andrews (musician)
Barry Andrews is a vocalist and keyboardist. He is a former member of the bands XTC and League of Gentlemen with Robert Fripp, and was co-founder of Shriekback. He has collaborated with Brian Eno on several projects, most recently guesting on keyboards for the 2005 album Another Day On Earth...
, Carl Marsh; except * by Allen, Andrews, Martyn Barker
Martyn Barker
Martyn Barker is an English drummer, best known as the drummer for Shriekback. He has also been a member of King Swamp, and worked with Paula Rae Gibson, Billy Bragg and Beth Gibbons, Rustin Man and Juldah Camara & Justin Adams....
, Marsh.
Side one
- "Hand on My Heart" – 3:49
- "Newhome" – 3:38
- "Achtung" – 4:20
- "Partyline" – 3:29
- "Midnight Maps" – 4:09 *
Side two
- "Mercy Dash" – 4:04 *
- "Under the Lights" – 3:17
- "My Careful Hands" – 3:52
- "Suck" – 5:28
- "Hubris" – 3:52
Personnel
- Dave AllenDave Allen (producer/bassist)Dave Allen was the bass guitarist for the post-punk band, Gang of Four. In 1981, he left Gang of Four to found Shriekback....
– bass, vocals - Barry AndrewsBarry Andrews (musician)Barry Andrews is a vocalist and keyboardist. He is a former member of the bands XTC and League of Gentlemen with Robert Fripp, and was co-founder of Shriekback. He has collaborated with Brian Eno on several projects, most recently guesting on keyboards for the 2005 album Another Day On Earth...
– keyboards, synthesizers, vocals (lead on "Hubris") - Carl Marsh – guitars, Linn drum machineLinnDrumThe LinnDrum is a drum machine manufactured by Linn Electronics. It was released in 1982 as a successor to the Linn LM-1. The LinnDrum has 15 drum sounds sampled from real drums, a sequencer for programming rhythm patterns and five trigger inputs....
, vocals (lead on all tracks except "Hubris")
Additional musicians
- Martyn BarkerMartyn BarkerMartyn Barker is an English drummer, best known as the drummer for Shriekback. He has also been a member of King Swamp, and worked with Paula Rae Gibson, Billy Bragg and Beth Gibbons, Rustin Man and Juldah Camara & Justin Adams....
– Linn drum machine, percussion on "Midnight Maps", "Mercy Dash" (credited as group member on Arista edition) - Luc Van Acker – guitars on "Partyline", "Under the Lights"
- Ian Caple – guitars on "My Careful Hands"
- Phil Butcher – bass on "Partyline"
- Emma Burnham, Linda Neville, Paul Groucho Smykle – vocals
- Dave Marx, Pedro Ortiz – credited as additional musicians on Y edition