Semi Detached (Blancmange album)
Semi Detached is the sixth studio album by British Synth-pop band Blancmange, released in 2015. The album was the first to be created without the involvement of original member Stephen Luscombe due to his health problems.[1] Neil Arthur commenced writing material for the album in 2013-14, with recording taking place during 2014.[2] The album reached No. 22 in the UK Independent Albums Chart.[3]
| Semi Detached | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 23 March 2015[1] | |||
| Length | 46:32 | |||
| Label | Cherry Red Records | |||
| Producer | Neil Arthur | |||
| Blancmange chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Paddington" was released as the album's first single on 9 March 2015. A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by Tone Davies.[4] The second single, "Useless", was released on 15 May,[5] followed by "I Want More", released on 18 April as a limited edition 12" single for Record Store Day.[6][7]
Critical reception edit
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | [8] |
| The Arts Desk | [9] |
| Louder Than War | [10] |
| Mojo | [11] |
| MusicOMH | [12] |
| Q | [11] |
| Record Collector | [13] |
| Uncut | [11] |
Upon release, David Jeffries of AllMusic considered the album to be a "very dark Blancmange album when compared to all the others, and quite emotionally heavy as well". He added: "Semi Detached is sincere in its distrust, distaste, and ire, and the album winds up a worthy companion for bad days or chucking it all."[8] Paul Scott-Bates of Louder Than War commented: "Arthur's Northern quirk is present throughout Semi Detached though the overall feel is darker. [It] is a modern day riposte to the Blancmange of the 80s. Still catchy, still infectious but now all grown up."[10]
Mark Elliott of Record Collector commented: "Semi Detached is a darker, icier project than any Blancmange have previously served up. A long distance from their frothier 80s form, it’s a set that shows Neil Arthur is more than capable of keeping this band on our radar for some time yet."[13] Graeme Marsh of MusicOMH wrote: "if you fancy a slightly off centre alternative to the mass appeal of more prominent electronic bands, despite a few wobbly bits here and there, then you won't go far wrong with giving this latest collection a chance."[12]
Track listing edit
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Fall" | Neil Arthur, Graham Henderson | 8:08 |
| 2. | "I Want More" | Michael Karoli, Irmin Schmidt, Holger Czukay, Jaki Liebezeit, Peter Gilmour | 3:57 |
| 3. | "Paddington" | Arthur | 3:56 |
| 4. | "It Didn't Take Long" | Arthur | 4:24 |
| 5. | "MKS Lover" | Arthur | 4:17 |
| 6. | "Like I Do" | Arthur | 3:34 |
| 7. | "Deep in the Mine" | Arthur | 4:43 |
| 8. | "Acid" | Arthur | 4:23 |
| 9. | "Useless" | Arthur | 3:27 |
| 10. | "Bloody Hell Fire" | Arthur | 5:48 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I Want Your Love" (Extended Version) | Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers | 6:43 |
| 2. | "Silk Sea" | Arthur | 3:29 |
| 3. | "That Worm" | Arthur | 5:12 |
| 4. | "Paddington" (Extended Version) | 5:36 | |
| 5. | "I Want More" (Extended Version) | 7:15 | |
| 6. | "Like I Do" (Extended Version) | 4:50 | |
| 7. | "Useless" (Extended Version) | 4:36 | |
| 8. | "Paddington" (Alternative Edit) | 4:04 | |
| 9. | "I Want Your Love" | 5:16 |
Chart performance edit
| Chart (2015) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Independent Albums Chart[3] | 22 |
Personnel edit
- Neil Arthur - lead vocals, keyboards
- David Rhodes - guitar
- Jake Parker - backing vocals
- Eleanor Arthur - backing vocals (track 3), additional vocals (track 2)
- Helen Kincaid, Joe Arthur, Tony Brook, Harvey Brook, Reed Wilson, Rupert Howe - additional vocals (track 2)
- Production
- Adam Fuest - mixing
- Neil Arthur - producer
- Tim Debney - mastering
- Other
- Adam Yeldham - artwork
- Helen Kincaid - asteroid painting
- Steve Malins - management
References edit
- ^ a b "Semi Detached (Deluxe 2CD Edition)". Blancmange.co.uk. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
- ^ "News | INTERVIEW: Blancmange". The Quietus. 6 February 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
- ^ a b "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50 | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
- ^ "Video exclusive – Blancmange lay Paddington bare in new video - Classic Pop Magazine". Classicpopmag.com. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
- ^ "Useless - Single by Blancmange on Apple Music". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
- ^ "'I Want More' 12 inch for Record Store Day". Blancmange. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
- ^ "Blancmange - I Want More (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 18 April 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
- ^ a b David Jeffries (31 March 2015). "Semi Detached - Blancmange | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
- ^ "CD: Blancmange – Semi Detached". Theartsdesk.com. 18 March 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
- ^ a b "Blancmange: Semi Detached - album review". Louder Than War. 13 March 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
- ^ a b c "Semi Detached by Blancmange Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. 23 March 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
- ^ a b "Blancmange - Semi Detached | Album Reviews". Musicomh.com. 19 March 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
- ^ a b "Semi Detached - Record Collector Magazine". Recordcollectormag.com. Retrieved 23 October 2018.