Homework (Atomic Rooster album)

Homework is an album of previously unreleased demos by John Du Cann, with drum programming by Paul Hammond.

In 1981, the recently-reformed Atomic Rooster signed to Polydor Records to release two singles, with the option of an album to follow, should the singles prove successful. Although the singles, "Play It Again" (1981) and "End Of The Day" (1982), performed well in rock clubs and on specialist rock charts, they failed to make an impression on the national charts. Consequently, Polydor dropped the band. Shortly afterwards, owing to resurfacing internal tensions, Du Cann left Atomic Rooster for the second and final time.

Du Cann's demos, recorded between 1979-81 for the projected album, were never completed and remained unreleased for several decades. In 2008, Du Cann licensed them for release by Angel Air Records, under the Atomic Rooster moniker. The album was rounded out by the inclusion of the six A and B-sides of the two Polydor singles.

All songs written by Du Cann except where noted.

Track listing

1. "The Dukes Theme" 3:24
2. "Make Me Strong" 2:50
3. "The Devil in Me" 4:13
4. "Fool" 3:13
5. "It Can Wait Another Day" 2:48
6. "C.O.D" 3:08
7. "Mind Over Matter" 3:29
8. "A Matter of Time" 3:18
9. "Cut the Wire" 6:31
10. "X-MASS" 2:00
11. "Open up the Sky" 3:22
12. "City Boy" 2:49
13. "The Band Played On" 2:20
14. "Different Words" 2:31
15. "Leopard's Skin" 2:32
16. "The Buck Stops Here" 1:42
17. "Somebody's Looking After You?" 4:31
18. "Play it Again" (Du Cann/Crane) 3:12 - single A-side (1981)
19. "Rebel with a Clause" aka "Start to Live" 2:58 - single B-side
20. "Devil's Answer" 4:11 - live in Milan 1981; 12" B-side
21. "End of the Day" 3:28 - single A-side (1982)
22. "Night Living" aka "Living Underground" 3:39 - single B-side
23. "Tomorrow Night" (Crane) 4:51 - live studio version 1981; 12" B-side