Foxbase Alpha
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| Foxbase Alpha | ||
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| Studio album by Saint Etienne | ||
| Released | January 14, 1992 | |
| Recorded | 1990, 1991 | |
| Genre | House Alternative rock Synthpop Ambient house Electronica |
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| Length | 58:29 48:27 (UK Version) |
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| Label | Heavenly Records | |
| Producer(s) | Saint Etienne | |
| Professional reviews | ||
|---|---|---|
| Saint Etienne chronology | ||
| Foxbase Alpha (1991) |
So Tough (1993) |
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Foxbase Alpha (1991) was the debut album by British band Saint Etienne.
The album was recorded in a style which is close to the house music sound of the time. However, songs like "Nothing Can Stop Us" and "Wilson" display the groups love of 60s pop and bizarre samples. Like its follow up So Tough, Foxbase Alpha is fragmented by sampling and short songs, longer songs like "Stoned to Say the Least" and "Like the Swallow" are reminiscent of ambient house akin to The Orb.
The album also includes the groups most well known song a cover of Neil Young's "Only Love Can Break Your Heart", the song is left relatively intact; faithful to the original but arranged in 4/4 (as opposed to the original waltz-time), with a driving piano-bass-drum section. Andrew Weatherall would remix the song which is arguably an even better take. Weatherall further emphasises the dub bassline, it was featured on both releases of the single and on the compilation Casino Classics. The follow-up single "Kiss and Make Up" is also a (comparatively obscure) cover version, having been written and originally released by The Field Mice. Ian Catt was the engineer/co-producer on both versions.
At the time of recording Sarah Cracknell was not fully part of group, as a result she doesn't sing on "Only Love Can Break Your Heart". By the time of the US release of the album the group had rerecorded "Kiss and Make Up", the new version is sung by Sarah.
Foxbase Alpha was shortlisted for the inaugural Mercury Music Prize.
Contents |
[edit] Track listing
[edit] CD: Heavenly / HVNLP1CD (UK)
- "This is Radio Etienne" – 0:42
- "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" – 4:29
- "Wilson" – 1:59
- "Carnt Sleep" – 4:43
- "Girl VIII" – 3:46
- "Spring" – 3:43
- "She's the One" – 3:09
- "Stoned to Say the Least" – 7:42
- "Nothing Can Stop Us" – 4:21
- "Etienne Gonna Die" – 1:32
- "London Belongs to Me" – 3:57
- "Like the Swallow" – 7:41
- "Dilworth's Theme" – 0:38
[edit] CD: Warner / 9-26793-2 (US)
- "This is Radio Etienne" – 0:42
- "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" – 4:29
- "Wilson" – 1:59
- "Carnt Sleep" – 4:43
- "Girl VIII" – 3:46
- "Spring" – 3:43
- "She's the One" – 3:09
- "People Get Real" – 4:44
- "Stoned to Say the Least" – 7:42
- "Nothing Can Stop Us" – 4:21
- "Etienne Gonna Die" – 1:32
- "London Belongs to Me" – 3:57
- "Kiss and Make Up" – 5:14
- "Like the Swallow" – 7:41
- "Dilworth's Theme" – 0:38
- The UK release omits "People Get Real" and "Kiss and Make Up", both of which later appeared on the collection You Need a Mess of Help to Stand Alone.
[edit] Credits
- Sarah Cracknell - Vocals.
- Bob Stanley - Roland Jupiter, Korg M1, Tambourine, tiger tokens.
- Pete Wiggs - Prophet 5, Emax sampler, Bongos, unskinny bop.
- Ian Catt - Guitars, Keyboard Programming, elephant chair.
- Moira Lambert - Vocals on "Only Love Can Break Your Heart".
- Harvey Williams - Bass on "Only Love Can Break Your Heart".
- Pete Heller - Additional programming on "Kiss and Make Up".
[edit] Miscellanea
The young woman on the cover of Foxbase Alpha, Celina Nash, also turns up in Saint Etienne's 1993 album So Tough; she is the waitress that can be heard on "Chicken Soup".
The dialogue heard in the track "Etienne Gonna Die" is from the movie House of Games.
[edit] Singles
Only Love Can Break Your Heart (Neil Young cover) May 1990
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7"
12"
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Remix 12"
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Kiss And Make Up September 1990
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7"
12"
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Remix 12"
CD
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Nothing Can Stop Us (Double A-Side with Speedwell) May 1991
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7"/12"
Remix 12"
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CD
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Only Love Can Break Your Heart (Re-release) August 1991
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7"/12"/Cassette
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CD
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