Soldier-Talk

Soldier-Talk is the third studio album by the American experimental rock band Red Crayola.^[1] It was released in 1979 by the record label Radar.^[2]

Soldier-Talk
Studio album by The Red Crayola
Released	1979
Genre	Post-punk experimental rock
Length	35:45
Label	Radar (original UK release) Drag City (2007 US reissue)
Producer	Mayo Thompson, Geoff Travis
The Red Crayola chronology
Corrected Slogans (1976) Soldier-Talk (1979) Kangaroo? (1981)

Background

In 1977, band leader Mayo Thompson moved from Houston to London where he partnered with drummer Jesse Chamberlain.^[3] The band signed to Radar Records, and they started touring Europe.^[4] Thompson met Pere Ubu, who were touring in support of The Modern Dance, and struck up a friendship. Thompson recruited Pere Ubu for this album project, and also Lora Logic of X-Ray Spex/Essential Logic.

Composition

Despite the presence of Pere Ubu, the music is a close continuation of the sound previously established by the Red Crayola. Soldier-Talk was conceived as a concept album dealing with militarism.^[5][6]

Chamberlain wanted to veer the music towards a more pop-oriented direction while Thompson opted to keep the sound experimental. As Thompson explained, "There wasn't much for him to do, in a way, I think he wanted to say what he felt about the record, and he wanted it closer in the direction of pop, because Jesse, that's always been one of his gifts, and I was determined to make the record work, and thought that it could, and should, and working with Geoff Travis, using his insights into the way music works, there was no other way it could be..." The conflict caused a strain on their musical partnership, although they later worked again on another record in a similar vein, Three Songs on a Trip to the United States, the cover of which referenced Soldier-Talk.^[6]

Release

Soldier-Talk was released in 1979. Around the release of the album, Mayo Thompson became an active producer for many of the bands on the Rough Trade roster, including Stiff Little Fingers, the Fall and the Raincoats.^[7] He also became a member of Pere Ubu, filling the spot left after Tom Herman's departure, and recorded the albums The Art of Walking and Song of the Bailing Man with the group.^[4]

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	^[8]
Pitchfork	5.3/10^[9]
Spin Alternative Record Guide	8/10^[10]

Thom Jurek of AllMusic declared it "among the loopiest of the Red Krayola's offerings", and representative of "post-punk's more musically adventurous side". He gave the album three out of five stars, describing the songs as being independently compelling and engaging.^[8] Mark Pytlik of Pitchfork gave the album 5.3 out of 10 and was critical towards the overall abrasiveness of the music, writing, "It's a consistently interesting album – there's something trying to get your attention at every moment, but in the manner of a beloved little sibling who won't stop poking you." He concluded that the record was best suited for those who find Gang of Four's Entertainment! too subdued.^[9]

Legacy

The bass guitarist Mike Watt named Soldier-Talk one of his favorite rock albums.^[11]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Mayo Thompson, except "On the Brink" by Thompson and Jesse Chamberlain

Side A

No.	Title	Length
1.	"March No.12"	2:01
2.	"On the Brink"	2:55
3.	"Letter-Bomb"	2:03
4.	"Conspirator's Oath"	2:41
5.	"March No.14"	1:22
6.	"Soldier-Talk"	7:06

Side B

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Discipline"	3:25
2.	"X"	3:13
3.	"An Opposition Spokesman"	5:02
4.	"Uh, Knowledge Dance"	2:57
5.	"Wonderland"	3:00

Personnel

The Red Crayola Mayo Thompson – vocals, guitar, production Jesse Chamberlain – drums Additional musicians Dick Cuthell – trumpet Tom Herman – guitar Scott Krauss - drums Lora Logic – saxophone Tony Maimone – bass guitar Allen Ravenstine – keyboards David Thomas – vocals

Additional personnel Christine Thompson – additional vocals Technical Bob Broglia – engineering, mixing Alan Jakoby – engineering Stephen Lipson – engineering Geoff Travis – production

References

1. Kenny, Glenn; Grant, Steven; Robbins, Ira (2007). "Red Crayola". Trouser Press. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
2. Young, Rob (July 14, 2006). Rough Trade. Black Dog Publishing. ISBN 9781904772477 – via Google Books.
3. Reynolds, Simon (2006). Rip It Up and Start Again: Postpunk 1978-1984. Penguin Group. ISBN 9780143036722. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
   - Buckley, Peter (2003). The Rough Guide to Rock. Rough Guides. ISBN 9781858284576. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
4. Thompson, Dave (2000). Alternative Rock. Miller Freeman, Inc. ISBN 9780879306076. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
5. Taylor, Steve (September 27, 2006). The A to X of Alternative Music. Continuum International Publishing Group. ISBN 9780826482174. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
6. Nichols, David (April 2007). "Perfect Sound Forever: Red Crayola/Red Krayola". Perfect Sound Forever. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
7. "Mayo Thompson Interview [1997]". FORESTROXX. April 11, 1997. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
8. Jurek, Thom. "Soldier Talk – The Red Krayola". AllMusic. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
9. Wolk, Douglas (April 2, 2007). "The Red Crayola: Soldier-Talk". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
10. Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. 1995. p. 322.
11. GUI@B (October 2003). , Iggy Pop.com. Retrieved March 15, 2014.

External links

• Soldier-Talk at Discogs (list of releases)