Joy 1967-1990
Encyclopedia
Recording and release
After finding moderate success with his self-produced solo effort Ultra Vivid Scene, Kurt RalskeKurt Ralske
Kurt Ralske is an American visual artist and musician. He is the former singer and guitarist in alternative rock band Ultra Vivid Scene.-Biography:During the mid-eighties, Ralske was a guitarist in the bands Nothing But Happiness and Crash....
returned to the studio in November 1989 to record a follow-up. This time, Ralske brought in producer Hugh Jones
Hugh Jones
Hugh Jones is a British record producer with many important post-punk albums to his credit.-Career:Jones made a name early in the 1980s with a jangly sound that aged better than many of his contemporaries' production styles, however he started out as lead singer in the band Mistral in the early...
, who had previously worked with Echo & the Bunnymen
Echo & the Bunnymen
Echo & the Bunnymen are an English post-punk band, formed in Liverpool in 1978. The original line-up consisted of vocalist Ian McCulloch, guitarist Will Sergeant and bass player Les Pattinson, supplemented by a drum machine. By 1980, Pete de Freitas had joined as the band's drummer, and their debut...
, Modern English
Modern English (band)
Modern English are an English rock band best remembered for their songs "I Melt with You", "Hands Across the Sea", and "Ink and Paper". The group disbanded for a period in 1991, but later recorded in 1995 and 2002 with new members...
, and The Damned, and a handful of session musicians. Two songs featured guest performances: "Special One," with vocals by Kim Deal
Kim Deal
Kimberley Ann Deal is an American singer, songwriter and musician, best known as the bassist of the alternative rock band the Pixies and the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for The Breeders. Deal first joined the Pixies in January 1986 as the band's bassist, adopting the stage name Mrs...
of the Pixies, and "Beauty #2", with pedal steel work by B.J. Cole. According to Ralske, the title Joy 1967-1990 was intended to be a tombstone inscription.
Upon completion of the album, Ralske recruited a full band consisting of Collin Rae on guitar, Byron Guthrie on drums, and Josephine Wiggs on bass, allowing Ultra Vivid Scene to go on tour for the first time in the spring of 1990.
Reception
The album debuted on May 7, 1990, to generally positive reviews. Writing for the Chicago TribuneChicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
, Bill Wyman described Joy as a "dizzying, insular tour de force" and awarded it three out of four stars. Karen Schoemer's brief writeup in the New York Times concluded that the album "at times seems too contrived, but Mr. Ralske's own joy in the sounds he creates is irresistible." In the Telegram & Gazette, Craig Semon wrote "Even though consistency and clarity are not the band's strong points, Ralske and his fellow bandmates deliver an interesting if not well-wrapped package in 'Joy 1967-1990.'" Allmusic praised "the gossamer web of acoustic and electronic instruments and Ralske's knack for melodies" but found fault with the "dopey lyrics".
Track listing
- "It Happens Every Time" – 3:18
- "Staring at the Sun" – 2:47
- "Three Stars" – 3:19
- "Special One" – 3:15
- "Grey Turns White" – 3:18
- "Poison" – 3:41
- "Guilty Pleasure" – 3:29
- "Extra Ordinary" – 3:51
- "Beauty #2" – 3:59
- "The Kindest Cut" – 3:09
- "Praise the Low" – 3:21
- "Lightning" – 4:45
Personnel
- Richie Close – programmingProgramming (music)Programming is a form of music production and performance using electronic devices, often sequencers or computer programs, to generate music. Programming is used in nearly all forms of electronic music and in most hip hop music since the 1990s. It is also frequently used in modern pop and rock...
- B.J. Cole – pedal steel on "Beauty #2"
- Kim DealKim DealKimberley Ann Deal is an American singer, songwriter and musician, best known as the bassist of the alternative rock band the Pixies and the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for The Breeders. Deal first joined the Pixies in January 1986 as the band's bassist, adopting the stage name Mrs...
– vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
on "Special One" - Byron Guthrie – programming
- Hugh Jones – programming, producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, engineerAudio engineeringAn audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including... - Caroline LavelleCaroline LavelleCaroline Lavelle is a British singer-songwriter and cellist who has created three solo albums and contributed vocals, music, and production help to many other artists and bands.-Career:Lavelle studied at the Royal College of Music in London...
– celloCelloThe cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
on "Three Stars" and "The Kindest Cut" - Robert McKahey – bodhránBodhránThe bodhrán is an Irish frame drum ranging from 25 to 65 cm in diameter, with most drums measuring 35 to 45 cm . The sides of the drum are 9 to 20 cm deep. A goatskin head is tacked to one side...
on "Praise the Low" - Nick MuirNick MuirNick Muir is a musician, composer and electronic music producer. He is best known as one half of the production team Bedrock, which consists of himself and DJ John Digweed, although he has enjoyed considerable success as an artist in his own right....
– organOrgan (music)The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
and pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
on "Special One" and "Extra Ordinary" - Kurt RalskeKurt RalskeKurt Ralske is an American visual artist and musician. He is the former singer and guitarist in alternative rock band Ultra Vivid Scene.-Biography:During the mid-eighties, Ralske was a guitarist in the bands Nothing But Happiness and Crash....
– programming, vocals - Margaret Thorby – recorderRecorderThe recorder is a woodwind musical instrument of the family known as fipple flutes or internal duct flutes—whistle-like instruments which include the tin whistle. The recorder is end-blown and the mouth of the instrument is constricted by a wooden plug, known as a block or fipple...
and violViolThe viol is any one of a family of bowed, fretted and stringed musical instruments developed in the mid-late 15th century and used primarily in the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The family is related to and descends primarily from the Renaissance vihuela, a plucked instrument that preceded the...
on "Praise the Low"
Album
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
58 |
Singles
| Single | Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|---|
| It Happens Every Time | Billboard Modern Rock Tracks | 19 |
| Special One | Billboard Modern Rock Tracks | 14 |
| Staring at the Sun | Billboard Modern Rock Tracks | 25 |