Axe Victim is the debut album of art rock

Art rock

Art rock is a subgenre of rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the 1960s, with influences from art, avant-garde, and classical music. The first usage of the term, according to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, was in 1968. Influenced by the work of The Beatles, most notably their Sgt...

 band Be-Bop Deluxe, released in June 1974. It was recorded in AIR London, Audio International Studios and C.B.S. Studios, all located in London, England.

The material is different from later releases; it was released at the height of the glam rock

Glam rock

Glam rock is a style of rock and pop music that developed in the UK in the early 1970s, which was performed by singers and musicians who wore outrageous clothes, makeup and hairstyles, particularly platform-soled boots and glitter...

 era in Britain, with the band's music and image being influenced by the musical zeitgeist. Several songs, such as the title track "Axe Victim", demonstrated this glam influence, whilst others, for example, the future concert staple "Adventures In A Yorkshire Landscape", showed their progressive tendencies. At the time of its release, the band's glam image and music was being criticised as being too similar to that of David Bowie, a comparison that would ultimately lead to Be-Bop Deluxe's disbanding as band leader Bill Nelson

Bill Nelson (musician)

Bill Nelson is an English guitarist, songwriter, producer, painter and experimental musician...

 strived to make more and more unconventional music.

The song "Jets At Dawn", a re-recording of the earlier Smile Records version, holds the distinction of being the longest Be-Bop Deluxe album track, lasting 7:20. The only longer studio recordings are the Sunburst Finish

Sunburst Finish (album)

Sunburst Finish is the third studio album by art rock band Be-Bop Deluxe, released in February 1976. It was recorded in Abbey Road Studios, London....

-era B-side "Shine" (at 7:49) and the multi-track "Modern Music" suite.

This incarnation of the band, featuring Bill Nelson on vocals and lead guitar, Ian Parkin on rhythm guitar, Robert Bryan on bass, and Nicholas Chatterton-Drew on drums, would only last for this album, before Nelson disbanded Be-Bop Deluxe following the "Axe Victim" tour and reformed it with several other musicians for the following year's "Futurama".

Original UK release (June 1974)

All songs written by Bill Nelson

Bill Nelson (musician)

Bill Nelson is an English guitarist, songwriter, producer, painter and experimental musician...

 except "Rocket Cathedrals" by Robert Bryan
Side 1

1. "Axe Victim" – 5:14
2. "Love is Swift Arrows" – 4:12
3. "Jet Silver and the Dolls of Venus" – 4:10
4. "Third Floor Heaven" – 2:27
5. "Night Creatures" – 3:34

Side 2

1. "Rocket Cathedrals" – 3:00
2. "Adventures in a Yorkshire Landscape" – 3:23
3. "Jets at Dawn" – 7:19
4. "No Trains To Heaven" – 6:39
5. "Darkness (L'Immoraliste)" – 3:22

CD issue bonus tracks (1991)

1. "Piece of Mine (Live)" (CD issue bonus track) – 5:13
2. "Mill Street Junction (Live)" (CD issue bonus track) – 4:43
3. "Adventures in a Yorkshire Landscape (Live)" (CD issue bonus track) – 7:56

Personnel

• Bill Nelson
  Bill Nelson (musician)
  Bill Nelson is an English guitarist, songwriter, producer, painter and experimental musician...
  
   – lead vocals, electric guitar, 12-string guitar
• Ian Parkin
  Ian Parkin
  Ian Parkin was a musician who played rhythm guitar with the first incarnation of Bill Nelson's Be-Bop Deluxe....
  
  – rhythm guitar
• Robert Bryan – bass guitar, vocals on "Rocket Cathedrals"
• Nicholas Chatterton-Drew – drums

External links

• Be-Bop Deluxe Discography