I Trawl the Megahertz
Encyclopedia
I Trawl The Megahertz is a 2003 album by English singer-songwriter Paddy McAloon
.
The debut solo album from McAloon, it marks a notable stylistic change from his work with Prefab Sprout
, the act he is best known for. Eschewing the songwriting he became noted for the album is a largely instrumental piece with McAloon's voice only featuring on the seventh track Sleeping Rough.
The album was initially created at his home on computer before it was recorded using 'real' strings. The voice on the title track is American actress Yvonne Connors, who recorded her contribution between 6.15pm and 8.45pm in room 551 of The Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, London, on October 25, 1999.
In the year end polls for 2003's albums of the year it featured at #22 in Uncut Magazine and #50 in Mojo
.
In 2005 "I Trawl the Megahertz" was featured in a Mojo list of the top 50 'most out there' albums. Mojo later called it an "unlikely orch-pop masterpiece."
Paddy McAloon
Paddy McAloon is an English singer-songwriter and member of the band Prefab Sprout. Allmusic describes him as "one of the most underrated lyricists of the '80s".-Career:...
.
The debut solo album from McAloon, it marks a notable stylistic change from his work with Prefab Sprout
Prefab Sprout
Prefab Sprout are an alternative English pop rock band from Witton Gilbert, County Durham, England who rose to fame during the 1980s. Eight of their albums have reached the Top 40 in the UK Albums Chart, and one of their singles, "The King of Rock 'n' Roll", peaked at number seven in the UK...
, the act he is best known for. Eschewing the songwriting he became noted for the album is a largely instrumental piece with McAloon's voice only featuring on the seventh track Sleeping Rough.
Genesis and concept
Following the detachment of both retinas in quick succession, possibly due to congenital factors, McAloon was left nearly blind for some time. Unable to read or work in his normal way, McAloon took to listening to late night radio talk shows and documentaries. Inspired by what he heard McAloon uses the source material to create what he describes as a radio play or a short movie. The album title track features dialogue found on the radio, along with words created by McAloon.The album was initially created at his home on computer before it was recorded using 'real' strings. The voice on the title track is American actress Yvonne Connors, who recorded her contribution between 6.15pm and 8.45pm in room 551 of The Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, London, on October 25, 1999.
Critical reception
Critical reception concentrated on the stylistic change of the album compared to his earlier work. However, reviewers were generally favourable.In the year end polls for 2003's albums of the year it featured at #22 in Uncut Magazine and #50 in Mojo
Mojo (magazine)
MOJO is a popular music magazine published initially by Emap, and since January 2008 by Bauer, monthly in the United Kingdom. Following the success of the magazine Q, publishers Emap were looking for a title which would cater for the burgeoning interest in classic rock music...
.
In 2005 "I Trawl the Megahertz" was featured in a Mojo list of the top 50 'most out there' albums. Mojo later called it an "unlikely orch-pop masterpiece."
Track listing
- I Trawl the Megahertz - 22'06
- Esprit de Corps - 4'51
- Fall from Grace - 3'38
- We Were Poor - 4'49
- Orchid 7 - 4'20
- I'm 49 - 3'48
- Sleeping Rough - 3'34
- Ineffable - 2'42
- ... But We're Happy - 3'48